The Parable of the Three Lamps
The Parable of the Three Lamps In a city built of stone and law, there stood a Hall of Judgment with three lamps hanging from its ceiling. One lamp burned above the accused. One lamp burned above the wounded. One lamp burned above the seat of judgment. The people believed these lamps burned with different fires. They said: “The first burns with guilt. The second with innocence. The third with truth.” But an old mendicant monk, passing through the city, stood at the doorway and smiled. The Broken Night One night, a man stole bread and struck another in his hunger. The injured cried out. The guards seized the thief. The Judge took his seat beneath the third lamp. The Hall filled with noise—anger, fear, certainty. The Judge spoke: “Justice must be done.” The victim spoke: “I want my pain answered.” The perpetrator spoke nothing, for his mouth was full of shame. And the three lamps flickered. The Monk’s Question The monk stepped forward and bowed. “May I ask ...