[al_borland]

This reminds me of this Buddhist story about the cup that is already broken. I think I like this a bit better, as it's not that the cup doesn't matter, but rather enjoying it for what it is while you have it.

A monk had a beautiful, delicate tea cup.

His student asked him about the cup. And much to the student's surprise he replied that the cup is already broken. “What do you mean?” – asked the student.

The monk said – “To me this cup is already broken.”

“I enjoy it. I drink from it. It holds my water admirably – sometimes even reflecting the sun in beautiful patterns. When I tap it, it has a lovely ring to it. But when I put it on the shelf and the winds blows it over or I knock it off the table and it shatters on the ground then I say - of course.

When I understand the glass is already broken, every moment with it is precious.”

[ihagen]

Great story, but Buddhism is not about cherishing the beautiful moments of life. It is about perceiving the universe as it is. It is about accepting that everything unfolds as it does and having the ability to see things as temporary forms of matter. In this story, the monk sees the cup as clay, a cup, and shards at the same time. So when the cup is broken, it means nothing to him.

[matwood]

Great story. It's a stepping stone to understanding fully that we are all going to die and that life itself is precious.