Afandism

The Bathhouse of the World

In a tiled bathhouse, a green-robed disciple questions Afandi beside a stone bench. Afandi gestures toward steam and folded garments. Wringing a linen towel over a basin, he describes arriving naked and leaving empty-handed.

Swipe to see all three panels.

  1. Disciple: Master, how would you describe worldly existence?

    Afandi: Observe the tiled walls of this bathhouse.

  2. Disciple: You compare the world to a bathhouse?

    Afandi: Precisely so, my thoughtful young friend.

  3. Disciple: What makes this bathhouse so like the world?

    Afandi: Enter naked, sweat awhile, and leave empty-handed.

At the bathhouse door, even a silk robe must surrender its importance.

· Boratav (1996) No. 89; Dehoti (1949) No. 52