Thus have I heard, the below poignant and hilarious accounts are based on actual concurrent incidents…

The old abbot of a temple
had a terrible toothache.
So bad was it that it was debilitating…
affecting his nerves literally.
The hospital stay was humbling to him.
It made him reflect
about the importance of spiritual cultivation
before his time in this life ran out.
He wanted to practice well.

A young disciple of the abbot
had a terrible stroke.
So bad was it that it was debilitating…
affecting his nerves literally.
The hospital stay was boring to him.
It made him reflect
about the importance of entertainment
before his time in this hospital ran out.
He wanted a video game.

一个寺院里的一个老和尚
的牙痛得很厉害。
疼得如此厉害，以至于使老和尚虚弱……
如字面所说，折磨他的神经。
在住院期间，他感到自我的卑微。
这使得他反思到
在他此生的生命结束之前
精神修养的重要性。
他想更好地修行。

这个老和尚的一个年轻的弟子
有过一次很严重的中风。
如此严重，也使该弟子虚弱……
也如字面所说，折磨他的神经。
但是在住院期间，他感到很无聊。
这使他发现
在他出院之前
娱乐是多么地重要。
他想玩电子游戏。