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The gift of insults
Near Tokyo lived a great Samurai
warrior, now old, who decided to teach Zen Buddhism to young people.
In spite of his age, the legend was that he could defeat any adversary.
One afternoon, a warrior - known for
his complete lack of scruples - arrived there. He was famous for
using techniques of provocation: he waited until his adversary made
the first move and, being gifted with an enviable intelligence in
order to repair any mistakes made, he counterattacked with fulminating
speed.
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?
- 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.
- 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.
Where is the umbrella?
At the end of ten years of apprenticeship,
Zenno thought he should be elevated to the category of Zen master.
One rainy day, he went to visit the famous professor Nan-in.
Upon entering Nan-in's house, the
host asked him:
- Did you leave your shoes and umbrella
outside?
- Of course - replied Zenno. - As
good manners demand. I would do the same anywhere.
- Then tell me: did you place your
umbrella to the right or the left of your shoes?
- I've no idea, master.
- Zen Buddhism is the art of total
consciousness of what we do - said Nan-in. - The lack of attention
to the smallest details can completely destroy a man's life. A father
who rushes out of the house, must never forget the dagger within
his small son's reach. A Samurai who doesn't take care of his sword
every day, will at some point find it is rusty, just when he most
needs it. A young man who forgets to give his lover flowers, will
end up losing her.
And Zenno understood that, although
he knew the Zen techniques of the spiritual world, he had forgotten
to apply them to the world of men.
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