t he Zen master Mu-nan had only one successor. His name was Shoju. After Shoju had completed his study of Zen, Mu-nan called him into his room and said, “I am getting old, and as far as I know, you are the only one who will carry on this teaching. Here is a book. It has been passed down from master to master for seven generations, and I have also added many points according to my understanding. This book is very precious, and I am giving it to you to represent your successorship.”
Shoju replied, “Please keep the book. I received your Zen without writing and I was very happy with it, thank you.”
Mu-nan replied, “I know that, but this great work has been carried from master to master for seven generations, and it will be a symbol of your learning. Here, take the book.”
The two were talking in front of a fire, and the instant Shoju felt the book in his hands he thrust it into the flames.
Mu-nan, who had never in his life been angry before, shouted, “What are you doing?”
And Shoju shouted back, “And what are you saying?”
AT EVERY STAGE OF ITS WORK towards the eradication of child labour, MAYA's approach and interventions have been determined by its understanding and perspective of developmental issues. It would be appropriate to state that the organisation's understanding of these problems has now moved away from an exclusively individual empowerment approach towards addressing child labour as an effect of inherent weaknesses in the system.
The following report seeks to share MAYA's efforts to facilitate a more systemic approach to working with communities and gain a deeper understanding of the causes of child labour and poverty, based on the experience and praxis over the years. These reflections have been presented in the context of the processes facilitated last year.
