Right And WrongWhen a Zen Master held his retreat-weeks of meditation, students from all over came to attend. During one of these gatherings a student was caught stealing. The matter was reported to the Master with the request that the culprit be expelled. The Master ignored the case.
Later the student was caught in a similar act, and again the Master disregarded the matter. This angered the other students, who drew up a petition asking for the dismissal of the thief, stating that otherwise they would all together leave the Zen Center.
When the Master had read the petition he called everyone before him. "You are wise brothers," he told them. "You know what is right and what is not right. You may go somewhere else to study if you wish, but this poor brother does not even know right from wrong. Who will teach him if I do not? I am going to keep him here even if all the rest of you leave."
A torrent of tears cleansed the face of the brother who had stolen. All desire to steal had vanished. The other brothers were touched at the great compassion and wisdom of the Master. They continued to learn from the great Master.
Later the student was caught in a similar act, and again the Master disregarded the matter. This angered the other students, who drew up a petition asking for the dismissal of the thief, stating that otherwise they would all together leave the Zen Center.
When the Master had read the petition he called everyone before him. "You are wise brothers," he told them. "You know what is right and what is not right. You may go somewhere else to study if you wish, but this poor brother does not even know right from wrong. Who will teach him if I do not? I am going to keep him here even if all the rest of you leave."
A torrent of tears cleansed the face of the brother who had stolen. All desire to steal had vanished. The other brothers were touched at the great compassion and wisdom of the Master. They continued to learn from the great Master.
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