Right and Wrong - A Zen Story

When a Zen Master held his seclusion-weeks of meditation, pupils from many parts of Japan came to attend. During one of these gatherings a pupil 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 pupil was caught in a similar act, and again the Master disregarded the matter. This angered the other pupils, who drew up a petition asking for the dismissal of the thief, stating that otherwise they would leave in a body.
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.

REFLECTIONS

* Great Spiritual Masters have real compassion and wisdom. Learn and grow from them.

* Every sentient being in Samsara has the potential to become a Buddha ... when he realizes his defilements and takes steps to remove them.

* In walking the spiritual path, one needs to develop a non-judgemental, forgiving and compassionate heart. No doer is a 'sinner' beyond redemption ... only his actions may be foolish, unskilful or unwholesome.

* Great Dhamma teachers practice patience, understanding, compassion and wisdom.

* Harbouring aversion ,ill-will, anger, hatred, and enmity weakens one's mind.