Sugar Cube's Wisdom

Zi Gong or Cu Khong is one of the main student of Ren Sheng Kong Zi. Teacher-pupil relationship is also very close. I was so close, when the death of Kong Zi, Zi Gong lived beside the tomb of his teacher for six years.

While the other disciples who lived in the area of maximal only tomb for three years. If we made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Kong Zi in Qufu, Shandong Peninsula, China, we can see Zi Gong is still stand. Even a tree planted by Zi Gong in the year 479 BC, still remains to this day, though it was in a not intact state. At one point in his life, Zi Gong zi Kong once asked about how one should behave in life. Kong Zi did not respond with mere words. He called Zi Gong went into the kitchen. When Zi Gong confused wait, the teacher was busy preparing the fire and began cooking water. when water begins to boil, Kong Zi out of the house and then go back sarnbil carrying a rock. Then the stone was put into the water when it begins to boil. Kong Zi boiling rock! Zi Gong inwardly wondering about the strangeness of the Master. But he has not dared to talk and silently waiting. After a time of Kong Zi remove the stone and put it on the table. Suddenly, Kong Zi said, "You do not like a stone." Zi Gong gaping mouth, "This stone is so hard, boiled in the boiling hot water make it no less hard. People who like rock, very stiff, feels they are the most right, most whiz and can not be changed. And life is always changing. On top of tall trees There are still clouds. Above the clouds the sky is still there. Above the sky is still there Tian "How can we, ordinary people, may feel themselves the most perfect? "

Zi Gong realized, the teacher was giving a lesson through a simple example. This is what often makes Zi Gong and his brothers so admired the way the Sage taught. The lesson that is so complicated can be desribed very simple. What a great human Guru. He thinks it's make sense why The Sage received a Bachelor and Master's Supreme Court Humanity.

After Zi Gong thoughtful for a moment then asked, "Teacher, how I have to behave?"
Like before, this time Kong Zi was not answered. Adding wood into the fireplace and once again he moved out of the house. Soon after he took a hunk of hardened snow. Without saying a word chunks of snow that inclusion into the turbulent water hot. Within seconds, the snow was melting. Disappeared from view, melted into water. Then Kong Zi said, "You do not like a lump of snow. It seems harsh, character, very principled and unwavering stance, but when tested briefly, everything disappeared. Like criticize others who are not honest, valid sanctimonious, but when faced with a life real, all the idealism destroyed without trace, and finally follow-up corrupt. "

Zi Gong realized. He is now faced with two extremes: hard head versus no opinion. Got a rigid principle versus very flexible principle. He now remembered the advice of the Master before. Too bad the left. Too right is also not good. Too fast is not right. Too slow is not good too. Too advanced, needs brakes. Too slow, need to be encouraged. It is best to Zhong. Middle, right. If possible Zhong Yong, the Perfect Middle.

When the teacher looked at him, smiling. Zi Gong jolted from her reverie. While bowed, Zi Gong again asked, "I understand the explanation of Teachers. But I have not found an answer on how I should respond to life. Please Teacher is pleased to provide further instructions."
As before, Kong Zi was also not answered. Now he got up from his seat and immediately moved. Not to the front house, but to backyard. Not much later the Guru carried two eggs in his hand. One eggs then broke in front of Zi Gong. Zi Gong immediately could see the eggs that had been melted liquid wetting the table. Liquid but thick. The second egg and then incorporated into the boiling water. After a silence long enough, all of a sudden Kong Zi take the eggs out and peel it off. Immediately a fragrant aroma of boiled eggs can be smelled and the cooked egg look white. Eggs are initially liquid and viscous at the time it still raw, has now turned harder after mature. Then Kong Zi said, "You also should not be hard-boiled eggs. Just learn a little, had felt able to master all. Just understand a bit of holy verses, felt it was legitimate to monopoly on truth, and became arrogant."

One by one of his friend's face came to Zi Gong's mind How difficult to find a true learner, who diligently studied tirelessly, able to apply knowledge in everyday life well and remain humble. Not arrogant. He imagined one of the smartest brother's face; Yan Yuan. Presumably he alone deserves to be called a true learner. Nothing wrong if the teacher was so fond of Yan Yuan. He figured Yan Yuan is definitely not a hard-boiled eggs told the Master. To be honest, he was still have boiled egg element. Sometimes int the subconscious, he still likes to boast occasionally. He had to change. The Teacher had been tease him indirectly. Once conscious, his face flushed and then Zi Gong teacher smiled when seeing the smile at his face. As if already konw all the secrets of his heart. But why be ashamed? Is not the Master is already fully understand all the strengths and weaknesses? Without waiting for Zi Gong questions , Kong Zi again rushed to the rear. He picked up a carrot from the garden. As before, and he put the carrots in boiling water. After a time, carrots were also lifted from the cooking water. Along with that Kong Zi was then said, "Zi Gong, you also should not be a boiled carrot."

Zi Gong has a pensive moment. He holding the boiled carrot while trying to test it. Carrots are initially hard, have now become soft. Yet it still can be recognized as a carrot. Why did the teacher say that? Are not carrots symbolizes the versatility, flexibility, yet at the same time not lose solidity to maintain identity? Zi Gong mouth want to excite a lot of words, millions of argument; Yet somehow as if locked.

The Teacher still smiling. "Zi Gong, carrots are flexible, flexible, able to adapt. Amazingly he did not lose him himself. Symbolize how a man hold a firm principle but not stiff. Good 'But, try to see the water. This water remains unchanged. There is no added value. What does it mean? The carrots sacrificed in vain. No change in anything.,,
Zi Gong wide eyes widened, his face radiates joy. He again received enlightenment from a very wise teacher. He really - really lucky to have teachers who are so wise and prudent.

Now Gong zi already do not feel curious again. He seemed satisfied enough with the four examples given teacher. He did not realize that the Guru had already replaced her water, adding fuel wood and water started to boil again. He had regained consciousness when his teacher put a lump of rock sugar in boiling water. Shortly afterwards the Master said, "Be like a sugar cube, my disciple. Her body was crushed like chunks of snow, but not because he did not have principles. It appears that he lost, but actually it was he who wins, the master, which makes the water turn sweet. Let people thought they were a win away, but in fact had been defeated in a clever and subtle. If you can take in and appreciate the philosophical meaning of this rock candy, you will be able to apply in any area throughout your life. That's the answer to the original question, how best attitude in of life. "

Zi Gong's eyes suddenly alight thousands of watts. He was really enlightened. With tears emotion Zi Gong prostrate before the Guru. He held Kong Zi tight legs " Today he has get the priceless pearl of life. He promised to himself, determined to use it in his daily lives and spread it all over the world. Sheng Ren Kong Zi smiled. He looked forward to his disciples, especially Zi Gong and Yan Yuan. In their hands, the future of teaching is expected to grow. He always looked forward to the young generation. Kong Zi expectancy about his students largely come true. Especially about Zi Gong, he grew to be a very successful, both in society, in government and also as a businessman. All that can not be separated from its supple, flexible, yet still hold to the principle. The ability of his diplomacy even several times can cool the situation that occurred in the relationship between kingdom at that time. Not infrequently when Kong Zi was named Minister of the Kingdom of Lu, Gong zi often sent to deal with important matters, serious problems. He was a reliable student.