Two monks, Tanzan and Ekido were once travelling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was falling. Coming around a bend, they met a pretty girl in a silk kimono, unable to cross the intersection.
“Come on, girl,” said Tanzan. Lifting her into his arms, he carried her over the mud and water.
Ekido did not speak until later that night when they arrived at a lodging temple. Then he could no longer restrain himself. “We monks do not go near females,” he told Tanzan, “especially not young and pretty ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?’
“I left the girl there,” said Tanzan. “Are you still carrying her?
– zen story