tws,
I will say that you bring so much into this parable that is not there, I have to say again intent is one thing interpretation is another.
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a haughty and arrogant person decides to challenge another based on what he thinks is going to be an easy win.
In fact it's never clear why he challenges the master, unless I'm missing something.
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the person being challenged is just trying to go about his way,,so he humbly confronts the challenger after seeking advice of someone of the same caliber as the challenger( but not as arrogant or haughty).
Really? or is it that the 3rd person points out that someone who has acheived a high level of self mastery sees no difference between actions weather pouring tea or using a sword.
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he there fore confronts the challenger as a friend and raises his sword, which can be intepreted as a raising of awareness, or even a raising of ones spirit in the face of this fear to over come it.
Who would raise a sword in friendship? He's a teamaster, no? Why would he need to raise his awareness? Isn't it already complete? Why would he be afraid, when he is not conflicted? He raises his sword like he pours the tea, with a single purpose. That is stated in the parable. No interpretation necessary.
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and what was the end result? he did NOT have to fight. He defeated the challenger without having to resort to the violence
He was never violent, the conflict was never from him, and the challenger was the only one who was fighting. His own nature did him in. The tea master did not change through the story. Only the ronin did.
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but to say that the other is mis intepreting because he feels HE is right and the other is wrong? that is arrogant presumption,,thats ego. thats the haughty and unscrupulous Ronin.
I actually never mentioned misinterpretation, only intent and interpretation. Arrogance seems to be more your problem. I never added how I "feel" about this story. It is what it is. There are some loaded cultural things related to the tale, but the story itself is pretty straight forward. The ronin is weak in his ignorance , but is humbled when he is confronted with what is sure to be his death should he pursue it.
Or it could by you're
the righteous man and I'm the
shepherd and it's the world that's
evil and selfish. I'd like that.
But that **** ain't the truth. The
truth is you're the weak. And I'm
the tyranny of evil men. But I'm
tryin'. I'm tryin' real hard to be
a shepherd.