25. NA-MO KE LI KUAN YIN
Homage to the sacred name of Kuan Yin of the clam.

The story is told of the Chinese Emperor Wen Zong. The Emperor’s cook was one day boiling some eggs and one of the eggs called to the Bodhisattva Kuan Yin to save it. The cook, not used to having food talk, immediately told the Emperor who proclaimed that eggs were permanently off the diet.
Later, the cook was boiling some clams and one of them also called out to the Bodhisattva to save it. The cook, frightened and perplexed by all this, also called upon the Bodhisattva who immediately made an appearance. All this was reported to the Emperor who quickly called his favorite Zen Master for an interpretation of these strange events. The Zen Master, not wishing to displease the Emperor, gave the very positive interpretation that it was a blessing upon the Emperor.
However, the Emperor was not entirely convinced and continued to fret over the matter. Unfortunately, he should have asked for a second opinion. A second opinion might have suggested to the Emperor that he was not handling an attempted palace coup as well as he might. In fact, the coup succeeded and the Emperor was put into house arrest for the rest of his life.
In short, the Emperor became the egg and the clam calling out for the help of the Kuan Yin for the rest of his life. I think that if there is a “moral” to this story it may be “if you don’t get second opinions about anomalies you may find yourself in hot water.” Perhaps, “don’t eat eggs and clams,” or “Don’t listen to Zen Masters” might also be teased from this story. -Roger