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27. The Voice of Happiness
After Bankei had passed away, a blind man who lived near the master's
temple told a friend:
"Since I am blind, I cannot watch a person's face, so I must judge his
character by the sound of his voice. Ordinarily when I hear someone
congratulate another upon his happiness or success, I also hear a secret
tone of envy. When condolence is expressed for the misfortune of another,
I hear pleasure and satisfaction, as if the one condoling was really glad
there was something left to gain in his own world.
"In all my experience, however, Bankei's voice was always sincere.
Whenever he expressed happiness, I heard nothing but happiness, and
whenever he expressed sorrow, sorrow was all I heard."
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