Zen Story: The Thief Who Became a Disciple

Another short story taken from the glorious little collection, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones:
The Thief Who Became a Disciple
One evening as Shichiri Kojun was reciting sutras (Buddhist scriptures) a thief with a sharp
sword entered, demanding either his money or his life. Shichiri told him: ‘Do not disturb me.
You an 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 the money and he thanked me for it.’

After he had finished his prison term, the men went to Shichiri and became his disciple.

https://tomdas.com/2015/06/28/the-thief-who-became-a-disciple/

http://jenessa2.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-thief-who-became-disciple.html

This Zen story beautifully shows that one has a choice to react to circumstances however one
wishes. This is not easy and takes much practice and efforts, but if one wishes to be less irritable,
angry or miserable, make it your aim, keep it constantly in mind, and see what comes. On to the
story, but before you begin reading, ask yourself how you would react if a stranger came into
your house demanding your possessions or your life!?

One evening as Shichiri Kojun was reciting sutras a thief with a sharp sword entered demanding
either his money or his life. Shichiri told him “don’t disturb me, you can find the money in the
draw”. A little while afterward 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 man was caught and confessed, among others, this offence against Shichiri. When
Shichiri was called as a witness he said, “This man is no thief, at least not as far as i’m
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.

http://teachers.sau36.org/wmrsd/wmrhs/TeacherPages/jsorochak/Appreciation%20of%20Lit/Stor
y_Patterns/Parables/Zen.pdf