Rumi's Tale of the Townman and the villager

Come to the Country

On a visit to the country

The Masnavi by Jawed Mojaddedi

The townsman and the villager

Book Three starting at line 517

Avoid the country - it makes fun of you

it steals your wisdom’s light and splendor too.

The Prophet warned: ‘countryside will prepare your intellect's grave

if you settle there’

Stay in the countryside one day or night,

For one whole month your wisdom won't feel right;

for one month you’ll possess stupidity.

What can be reaped from wild hashish? Tell me!

Spend a whole month out there and you will find

You’ll stay for ages ignorant and blind.

line 522

line 549

Where now’s your closeness to your parents, friend?

Closeness to anyone but God must end,

And this includes you wet-nurse and your tutor

As no one else is truly your supporter -

………

line 624

A sole injustice from a friend or brother

Is worse than millions of them from another,

Because the victim won’t expect injustice

From those who normally would show him kindness

Some acts seem harsher therefore to men’s eyes

Because they are both wrong and a surprise.

line 625

This is what’s earned if you befriend the base

or treat such people courteously with grace.

line 636

The Zen Master regarding returning to the countryside

Zen’s Chinese Heritage by Andy Ferguson

page 233

A monk asked Zen Master Luopu, “What if I want to return to my country home?”

Luopu said, “The houses are demolished and the people are dead. To where would you return?”

The monk said, “In that case I won’t to back”

Luopu said, “The sun melts the snow at the front of the courtyard, but who will sweep the dust that has drifted into the room?” Luopu recited the following verse:

“If your resolve is to return home,

Then board the boat that ferries o’er the five lakes

Raise the boat pole, stars and moon are hidden.

Stop the oar, the sun is alone.

Slip the moorage and leave the baneful shore.

Hoist the sail and set off on the true way.”

page 233