Cerita Zen
The Thief Who Became a Disciple
One evening as Shichiri Kojun was reciting sutras a thief with a sharp
sword entered, demanding either 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 offence 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 money and he thanked me for it."
After he had finished his prison term, the man went to Shichiri and
became his disciple.