The Thief Who Turned A Disciple

By Staff

Zen Story
Shichiri Kojun was reciting sutras one evening when he was intruded by a thief, powered by a sword demanding him to give some money or threatened to take away his life.

Shichiri replied " You will find some money in that drawer, hence please do not disturb me" and resumed to recite.

After a little while he told the thief " Leave some money for me to pay taxes tomorrow, so do not take all of them".

The thief gathered most of the money and was about to leave when Shichiri said " When you receive a gift you should thank a person".


The thief thanked him and left. Consequently he was arrested by the police for the crime. Shichiri was then called as a witness to prove the thief's offence. However he said "According to me this person is not a thief. I gave him some money and he thanked me for it".

The thief after having completed his term in the prison, went straight to Shichiri and became his disciple.

Read more about: zen stories short stories