Difference between revisions of "Buddhist Story: The Thief and the Master"
(Created page with "thumb|250px| '''The Thief and the Master One evening, Zen master Shichiri Kojun was reciting sutras when a thief entered his house with a sha...") |
|||
| (One intermediate revision by one other user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:Zentaka.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Zentaka.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | '''The Thief and the Master | + | '''The Thief and the [[Master]] |
One evening, [[Zen]] [[master]] Shichiri Kojun was reciting [[sutras]] when a thief entered his house with a sharp sword, demanding "[[money]] or [[life]]". | One evening, [[Zen]] [[master]] Shichiri Kojun was reciting [[sutras]] when a thief entered his house with a sharp sword, demanding "[[money]] or [[life]]". | ||
| − | Without any {{Wiki|fear}}, Shichiri said, "Don't disturb me! Help yourself with the [[money]], it's in that drawer". And he resumed his recitation. The thief was startled by this unexpected reaction, but he proceeded with his business anyway. While he was helping himself with the [[money]], the [[master]] stopped and called, "Don't take all of it. Leave some for me to pay my taxes tomorrow". | + | Without any {{Wiki|fear}}, Shichiri said, "Don't disturb me! Help yourself with the [[money]], it's in that drawer". And he resumed his {{Wiki|recitation}}. The thief was startled by this unexpected {{Wiki|reaction}}, but he proceeded with his business anyway. While he was helping himself with the [[money]], the [[master]] stopped and called, "Don't take all of it. Leave some for me to pay my taxes tomorrow". |
| − | The thief left some [[money]] behind and prepared to leave. Just before he left, the [[master]] suddenly shouted at him, "You took my [[money]] and you didn't even thank me?! That's not polite!". This time, the thief was really shocked at such [[fearlessness]]. He thanked the [[master]] and ran away. The thief later told his friends that he had never been so frightened in his [[life]]. | + | The thief left some [[money]] behind and prepared to leave. Just before he left, the [[master]] suddenly shouted at him, "You took my [[money]] and you didn't even thank me?! That's not {{Wiki|polite}}!". This time, the thief was really shocked at such [[fearlessness]]. He thanked the [[master]] and ran away. The thief later told his friends that he had never been so frightened in his [[life]]. |
| − | A few days later, the thief was caught and confessed, among many others, his theft at Shichiri's house. When the [[master]] was called as a witness, he said, "No, this man did not steal anything from me. I gave him the [[money]]. He even thanked me for it." The thief was so touched that he decided to repent. Upon his release from prison, he became a [[disciple]] of the [[master]] and many years later, he attained [[Enlightenment]]. | + | A few days later, the thief was caught and confessed, among many others, his theft at Shichiri's house. When the [[master]] was called as a {{Wiki|witness}}, he said, "No, this man did not steal anything from me. I gave him the [[money]]. He even thanked me for it." The thief was so touched that he decided to [[repent]]. Upon his [[release]] from {{Wiki|prison}}, he became a [[disciple]] of the [[master]] and many years later, he [[attained]] [[Enlightenment]]. |
| − | From: Zen Flesh, Zen Bones; Paul Reps; 1961 Doubleday Anchor Books, New York | + | From: [[Zen]] Flesh, [[Zen]] [[Bones]]; Paul Reps; 1961 Doubleday Anchor [[Books]], [[New York]] |
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Stories]] | [[Category:Buddhist Stories]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Zen Stories]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:29, 29 February 2016
The Thief and the Master
One evening, Zen master Shichiri Kojun was reciting sutras when a thief entered his house with a sharp sword, demanding "money or life".
Without any fear, Shichiri said, "Don't disturb me! Help yourself with the money, it's in that drawer". And he resumed his recitation. The thief was startled by this unexpected reaction, but he proceeded with his business anyway. While he was helping himself with the money, the master stopped and called, "Don't take all of it. Leave some for me to pay my taxes tomorrow".
The thief left some money behind and prepared to leave. Just before he left, the master suddenly shouted at him, "You took my money and you didn't even thank me?! That's not polite!". This time, the thief was really shocked at such fearlessness. He thanked the master and ran away. The thief later told his friends that he had never been so frightened in his life.
A few days later, the thief was caught and confessed, among many others, his theft at Shichiri's house. When the master was called as a witness, he said, "No, this man did not steal anything from me. I gave him the money. He even thanked me for it." The thief was so touched that he decided to repent. Upon his release from prison, he became a disciple of the master and many years later, he attained Enlightenment.
From: Zen Flesh, Zen Bones; Paul Reps; 1961 Doubleday Anchor Books, New York
