To draw a conclusion about a whole based only on a partial understanding or limited experience, leading to a distorted or incomplete view; to be narrow-minded in one's perception of things.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
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Story:
According to ancient Indian Buddhist scriptures, there was a small kingdom whose ruler was King Mirror-Face. He was a devout follower of Shakyamuni Buddha, diligently performing daily prayers and chants. However, at that time, various cults and shamanistic practices were prevalent in his country, confusing most of his subjects and leading to a lack of clear judgment, which hindered effective governance. King Mirror-Face deeply wished for his people to convert to Buddhism, so he conceived a plan: to educate and guide them using the vivid lesson of 'blind men touching an elephant.'
King Mirror-Face instructed his attendant, "Gather some completely blind people and bring them to the royal city." The envoy quickly assembled a group of blind individuals and led them to the palace.
The envoy entered the palace and reported to King Mirror-Face, "Your Majesty, the blind people you requested have been brought to the palace gates." King Mirror-Face replied, "Tomorrow morning, lead the blind people to the elephant garden. Let each of them touch only one part of the elephant's body, and then immediately bring them to the square in front of the royal palace."
The next morning, King Mirror-Face summoned all his ministers and tens of thousands of common people to gather in the square before the royal palace. The bustling crowd whispered amongst themselves, none knowing what momentous announcement the king was about to make. Soon after, the envoy led the blind people before King Mirror-Face's high throne, and the people in the square instantly fell silent. King Mirror-Face asked the blind people, "Have you all touched the elephant?" The blind people collectively responded, "We have touched the elephant!" King Mirror-Face then said, "Now, each of you describe what the elephant looks like!"
The blind man who had touched the elephant's leg was the first to step forward, saying, "Reporting to the enlightened King, the elephant is like a large round barrel used for holding paint." The blind man who had touched the elephant's tail declared, "Your Majesty, the elephant must be like a broom." The blind man who felt the elephant's belly said, "Your Majesty, the elephant is indeed like a large drum." Subsequently, the one who touched the elephant's head claimed it resembled a large ladle, the one who felt a tusk said it was like a cow's horn, the one who touched the rear part of the elephant's tail insisted it was like a stick, and the one who felt an ear proclaimed it was like a winnowing basket. Finally, the blind man who had touched the elephant's trunk stated, "Enlightened King, the elephant is truly like a thick rope."
The group of blind people then divided into several factions, arguing loudly and incessantly, each convinced that they were correct and others were wrong. They each approached King Mirror-Face, contending, "Your Majesty! The elephant's appearance is certainly as I described!" At this moment, the ministers and common people present burst into laughter, and King Mirror-Face also smiled, looking meaningfully at the crowd.