The Thief Who Became a Disciple
One evening as Shichiri Kojun was reciting sutras a thief with a sharp sword entered, demanding wither his money or his life.
Shichiri told him: “Do not disturb me. You can find the money in that drawer.” Then he resumed his recitation.
A little while afterwards he stopped and called: “Don’t take it all. I need some to pay taxes with tomorrow.”
The intruder gathered up most of the money and started to leave. “Thank a person when you receive a gift,” Shichiri added. The man thanked him and made off.
A few days afterwards the fellow was caught and confessed, among others, the offense against Shichiri. When Shichiri was called as a witness he said: “This man is no thief, at least as far as I am concerned. I gave him the money and he thanked me for it.”
After he had finished his prison term, the man went to Shichiri and became his disciple.
A good short with a lot to learn. Desparation fearlessness generosity meditation honesty thankfulness confession and freedom from sinfullness and wrongdoing and change in a person due to somebody being thoughtful and generous. It’s amazing how you can learn so much from one mistake and how it can change your life.
This illustrates nonchalance to wealth except to the extent needed and kindness to even the “bad” guy.
Amazing how stories have a familiarity. Anyone who knows any of the many versions of Hugo’s Les Miserables will recognise this koan. That is of course a good thing. Amongst the things that the story therefore illustrates is its international recognition as a tale of saintliness and ultimate redemption.