three chinese medicine doctor brothers

A long time ago, in China.
Ernest was a promising young student hoping to apprentice with a TCM Chinese doctor. Instead of looking for a local expert, he thought, "why not find the best doctor in all the land? The worst that can happen is they say no."

So Ernest set out to find Dr. Chen, who was celebrated for his skills and knowledge of medicine and his ability to heal even the most fatal disease. He cured the emperor’s son who was believed dead, in a miraculous exhibition of his skills. Because his fame spread far and wide, his medical practice was nonstop, and he accumulated vast fame and  wealth. He lived in a palace with whatever luxury and pleasure you could imagine.

After meeting and interviewing with Dr. Chen, the doctor said: "You are a fine and promising young student, and you'd make a fine apprentice. But before you decide, you really should talk to my older brother, who is is also a TCM doctor. Dr. Yang, is far more skilled and wise than I am.

Ernest, humble but ambitious, thanked Dr. Chen, and promised  to consider his options carefully before making a decision. So he set off to find Dr. Yang.

After trekking across the country to Dr. Yang's house, he was rather surprised at how pedestrian Dr. Yang's dwelling stood, in comparison to Dr. Chen's palace with all its fine material wealth and luxury. Now Dr. Yang's house was no ordinary house. It was a mansion, and stood out in his affluent neighborhood and province, but it was no palace.

He introduced himself to Dr. Yang, and again the interview went well, and Dr. Yang agreed he would make a fine apprentice. Ernest, who was polite and humble, but could not resist asking, "Dr. Yang, why do you seem to have fewer patients, less fame, and much less wealth then your younger brother Dr. Chen, who says your skill and wisdom far exceed his?"

Dr. Yang explained:
I deal with illnesses while they are chronic or minor, preventing sickness from getting worse and returning the body to health. I care for my patients through acupuncture and herbs to rebalance them back to good health when they become ill. I prevent minor illnesses from becoming fatal catastrophes, so it's not as dramatic and impressive when I succeed in my job. The fame and wealth reflect that.

Dr. Yang further suggested:
Ernest, You are a fine and promising young student, and you'd make a fine apprentice. But before you decide, you really should talk to my older brother, who is is also a TCM doctor. Dr. Hu, is far more skilled and wise than I am. Among the three brothers, he is by far the best.

Ernest, humble but ambitious, thanked Dr. Yang, and promised  to consider his options carefully before making a decision. So he set off to find Dr. Hu.

After trekking across the country to Dr. Hu's house, he was rather surprised at how pedestrian Dr. Hu's dwelling stood, in comparison to Dr. Chen's palace with all its fine material wealth and luxury, and Dr Yang's mansion in the swanky neighborhood. Shockingly, Dr. Hu's dwelling was so modest it did not even stand out in his neighborhood, which was lower middle class and nothing impressive to begin with.

Ernest introduced himself to Dr. Hu, and again the interview went well, and Dr. Hu agreed he would make a fine apprentice. Ernest, who was polite and humble, but could not resist asking, "Dr. Hu, why do you seem to have fewer patients, less fame, and much less wealth then your younger brother Dr. Yang, who says your skill and wisdom far exceed his? And to say nothing of your youngest brother Dr. Chen, who lives in a palace with  every kind of luxury imaginable.


Dr. Hu explained:
I heal sickness before it even develops, before people even realize they're sick, and they have no idea how castastrophic the sickness can become. My  methods and skills are only seen and truly appreciated by the wise. I give advice on meditation, qigong, yoga, exercise, food,  and lifestyle to keep my patients well and not becoming sick in the first place.
When I succeed at my job, it's not  dramatic and impressive as my younger brothers. My fame and wealth reflect that.

So which of the three brothers should Ernest apprentice under?
Dr. Chen, Dr. Yang, or Dr. Hu?
Who is the smart choice?
Who would you choose?

Dr. Hu further suggested:
Ernest, You are a fine and promising young student, and you'd make a fine apprentice. But before you decide, you really should talk to my teacher, a disciple of the Buddha. To cure illness is noble, to prevent illness is better. But to discover and realize the root of illness, the root of existence, is beyond compare. To go forth under such a being, there is nothing better or more worthwhile than that.