Twenty monks and one nun, who was named Eshun, were practicing meditation with a certain Zen master.

Twenty monks and one nun, who was named Eshun, were practicing meditation with a certain Zen master.

Eshun was very pretty even though her head was shaved and her dress plain. Several monks secretly fell in love with her. One of them wrote her a love letter, insisting upon a private meeting.

Eshun did not reply. The following day the master gave a lecture to the group, and when it was over, Eshun arose. Addressing the one who had written her, she said: “If you really love me so much, come and embrace me now.”

“I’ll add that this is a lesson of understanding, acceptance and true love. True love is not meant to be hidden away from the eyes of others. It is meant to be shared. Openly. With the world before you. For love, is inspiring. Do not allow society’s shunning of affectionate displays outside to keep your heart’s expressions trapped within yourself”