THE
OWNER
Near Tokyo lived
a great Samurai, now old, had 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.
Everyone 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,
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 old 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 owner who carried them.”
~ It’s absolutely upon us as to
what and who we become, sometimes ignorance helps to remain true to human
values and be more empowered. ~
