The Disillusioned Zen Student

A spiritual aspirant was admitted to a Zen monastery that practices silence. When he arrived he was told that every ten years he was only allowed to say two words, and only to the Zen master.

Ten years of silence followed, and when he was led to the Zen master, all he had to say was ‘bed hard’. Another ten year passed and this time around the student uttered ‘food bad’. After yet another decade the disillusioned student couldn’t take it anymore. He screamed ‘I quit!’ at the Zen master.

The Zen Master nodded and replied, “Can’t say that I am surprised. All you ever do is complaining!”