This story is from ancient Japan. Taro was a young and brave samurai. He had been wandering for days since his Lord’s death, as he had failed to protect him in his last battle and felt deep shame for his lack of honor.
He had lost all sense of direction and purpose in his life. Many days had passed, and Taro had started living alone and wandering from place to place in search of peace of mind. One day, while passing through a forest, he saw a Buddhist monk meditating peacefully on a rock by the side of a waterfall. Taro stopped there, and the monk looked at him with a warm smile, offering him a place to sit. The monk observed him silently for a moment before speaking. I sense a great sadness in you, young samurai.
What troubles you?
The monk asked, Taro hesitated for a moment before confessing. I have failed to protect my Lord. He died because of my incompetence, and I have brought shame upon myself and my family. The monk listened patiently to
Taro and asked, does that mean you failed in your duties?
Yes, I think I wasn’t worthy to be a samurai, Taro replied. I think you don’t know about the philosophy of kinshubi, the monk asked. No, I don’t. Taro said, When pottery breaks instead of throwing it away, we put it back together with gold lacquer. By doing this, it becomes more valuable than before.
This philosophy is known as kinshubi, the monk explained. Taro looked at the monk in confusion, unsure of what this had to do with this situation. You are like the broken pottery, the monk continued. You have been shattered by your failures and mistakes, but that does not mean you are worthless. On the contrary, it is through your brokenness that you can become even more beautiful and valuable. The gold that fills the cracks in the pottery is like the wisdom and strength you can gain from your experiences.
Taro listened intently to the monk’s words, feeling the glimmer of hope rise within him. The monk’s philosophy made sense to him, and he realized that he had been too focused on his shame and failure to see the potential for growth and redemption. I understand, Taro said, feeling grateful for the monk’s wisdom. I have been so focused on my failures that I forgot about the lessons I can learn from them. I will seek out new opportunities to serve my country and redeem myself. Taro nodded, feeling the newfound sense of determination.
He left that place, feeling grateful for the monk’s wisdom, and eager to embark on a new path of redemption. Remember, your failures and mistakes do not define you. They only serve to make you stronger and more resilient.
Embrace your brokenness and fill it with gold, and you will become more beautiful and valuable than before for future opportunities. Goodbye, buddy. Wish you a golden future. The vision tail signing off.