The Three Laughing Monks

In ancient China, there were three old monks whose names have been lost to time. Known only as the Three Laughing Monks, they traveled together, bringing joy wherever they went. Their daily ritual was simple: they would arrive in a village or town, stand in the main square, and begin to laugh. Gradually, their infectious laughter would draw in locals and passersby, creating a joyful crowd that laughed along, filling the air with happiness.This laughter was their unique form of teaching; they never spoke a word, yet their message was clear—life should be celebrated and embraced as a wonderful opportunity to find joy. They were beloved figures throughout China, admired for their ability to spread happiness without uttering a single directive.

Years went by, and their travels continued until one day in a northern village, one of the monks passed away. The news spread quickly, and the villagers rushed over, expecting the remaining monks to express grief. To their surprise, the two monks were laughing even harder than before. Confused by this reaction, the villagers approached them and asked why they weren’t mourning their friend.

For the first time, the monks explained: just the day before, the deceased monk had jokingly bet about who would die first, and he had won. "He even wrote a testament," they chuckled. The tradition was to prepare the body for the funeral, but their friend had requested to be laid to rest in his old clothes, declaring he had never let the world’s filth touch him through his laughter.

As the villagers witnessed the monks preparing the body, they lit the funeral pyre in accordance with tradition. Suddenly, to everyone’s amazement, a magnificent display of colorful fireworks erupted, lighting up the sky. At that moment, laughter bubbled up once more from the crowd, and soon everyone joined the two monks in their joyous mirth.

The story reminds us that perhaps the greatest reason for our existence is to laugh and experience joy. So the next time you encounter a challenge, take a moment to look in the mirror and laugh it off, for it is joy that truly enriches our lives.