Monday, November 30, 2009

What's in a name?

I am writing a final exam with a question about the basic precepts of Buddhism including the concept of Nirvana and I remembered this story from my life. I wrote it in the exam to amuse the professor, but I thought it might tickle your fancy as well:

I was once camping in upstate New York with my husband and some other couples. One couple, Chuck and Debbie, arrived later having driven a few hours from Buffalo across the state. They told us that on their drive they drove through the town of Minerva. As they did so, Chuck had said to his wife, “well, Debbie, we can now say that we’ve finally reached Minerva.” Debbie said to Chuck, “Chuck, I know what you’re talking about but I don’t think it’s called Minerva, I think it’s called something else.” For the rest of the camping trip (and indeed to this day), we talked about what it would take to finally reach a “state of Minerva.” I’m sure the goddess of wisdom would be most amused, and the Buddha would love it, because, after all, what's in a name?

1 comment:

sj said...

I know it is not a movie but I give this 4 snouts! (:)(:)(:)(:)