Near Tokyo lived a
great Samurai, now old, who decided to teach Zen Buddhism to young people.
One afternoon, a
warrior – known for his complete lack of scruples – arrived there. The young
and impatient warrior had never lost a fight. Hearing of the Samurai’s
reputation, he had come to defeat him, and increase his fame.
All the students were
against the idea, but the old man accepted the challenge.
All gathered on the
town square, and the young man started insulting the old master. He threw a few
rocks in his direction, spat in his face, shouted every insult under the sun –
he even insulted his ancestors.
For hours, he did
everything to provoke him, but the old man remained impassive. At the end of
the afternoon, by now feeling exhausted and humiliated, the impetuous warrior
left.
Disappointed by the
fact that the master had received so many insults and provocations, the
students asked:
– How could you bear such indignity? Why didn’t you use your sword, even knowing you might lose the fight, instead of displaying your cowardice in front of us all?
– How could you bear such indignity? Why didn’t you use your sword, even knowing you might lose the fight, instead of displaying your cowardice in front of us all?
– If someone comes to
you with a gift, and you do not accept it, who does the gift belong to? – asked
the Samurai.
– He who tried to deliver it – replied one of his disciples.
– He who tried to deliver it – replied one of his disciples.
– The same goes for
envy, anger and insults – said the master.
“When they are not accepted, they continue to belong to the one who carried them.”
“When they are not accepted, they continue to belong to the one who carried them.”
