The Thief Who Became a Disciple

image from: www.japanesegardens.jp

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.

(Paul Reps & Nyogen Senzaki, "Zen Flesh, Zen Bones")

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quote:

"Putting aside the butcher's knife and instantly becoming a buddha" is extremely difficult to realize in practice. What power is it that compels one to lay down the butcher's knife? Compassion -- that is all.

(Tsai Chih Chung, "The Book of Zen -- Freedom of The Mind")

Perampok Yang Menjadi Murid

Suatu malam ketika Shichiri Kojun sedang melafalkan sutra, seorang perampok dengan pedang tajam masuk, meminta uang atau nyawanya.

Shichiri berkata: "Jangan ganggu saya. Kamu dapat mengambil uang di laci." Kemudian ia melanjutkan melafal sutra.

Sesaat kemudian ia berkata: "Jangan diambil semua. Saya butuh sedikit untuk membayar pajak besok."

Si perampok mengambil seluruh uangnya dan bergegas pergi. "Ucapkan terima kasih karena kamu telah menerima hadiah", kata Sichiri. Pria itu berterima kasih dan segera kabur.

Beberapa hari kemudian, perampok tersebut tertangkap dan mengaku, di antaranya, menyerang Shichiri. Ketika Shichiri dipanggil untuk bersaksi, dia berkata: "Orang ini tidak merampok, saya memberinya uang dan dia berterima kasih atas pemberian itu."

Setelah pria itu menyelesaikan masa tahanannya, dia pergi menghadap Shichiri dan menjadi muridnya.

(Paul Reps & Nyogen Senzaki, "Zen Flesh, Zen Bones")

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Kutipan:

"Meninggalkan pisau jagal dan segera menjadi Buddha" sungguh sukar dilaksanakan. Kekuatan apa yang dapat membuat orang meninggalkan pisau jagalnya? Belas kasih, cuma itu.

(Tsai Chih Chung, "Zen Membebaskan Pikiran")