Koans are the zen version of a parable. I found this one via StumbleUpon. (If you haven’t tried it yet, StumbleUpon is both very cool and very addictive.)
One evening as Zen Master Shichiri Kojun was reciting sutras, a thief with a knife crept in. “Your money or your life!”
Shichiri said, “Do not disturb me. You will find money in the cupboard near the wall.” Then he resumed his recitation as the thief began searching the cupboards.
After a few moments, Shichiri paused 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 fled.
A few days later, the thief was caught and confessed to many crimes, including stealing from 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 the money and he thanked me for it.”
After he finished his prison term, the man went to Shichiri and became his disciple.
I think Jesus would’ve liked Shichiri.
