Two monks were travelling together. At one point, they came to a river with a strong current. As the monks were preparing to cross the river, they saw a beautiful woman also attempting to cross. The woman then asked if they could help her cross the current to the other side.
The two monks glanced at each other as they had taken vows not to touch a woman.
Then, without a word, the senior monk picked up the woman, carried her across the river and placed her gently on the other side. The monks continued their journey.
The junior monk could not believe what had just happened. After joining his companion, he was speechless, an hour passed without a word between them.
Two more hours passed, then three, finally the younger monk could not contain himself any longer, blurting out “As monks, we are not permitted a woman, how could you then carry that woman on your shoulders?”
The older monk looked at him and replied “Brother, I set her down on the other side of the river, why are you still carrying her?”
18.27 