AN INTERESTING ZEN STORY

THE GIVER SHOULD BE THANKFUL!!

The Master Seistsu required larger premises as the building he was teaching in was very overcrowded.

Umezu, a merchant, decided to donate five hundred gold pieces for the construction of a new building.

Umezu took the money to the teacher and Seistsu said "Alright, I will take it."

Umezu gave the sack of gold to Seistsu, but was very dissatisfied wit the attitude of the teacher
as the amount he had given was very great - one could live for a whole year on three pieces of gold, and the teacher had not even thanked him. "In that sack there are five hundred pieces of gold," hinted Umezu.

"You told me that before," said the teacher Seistsu.

"Even if I am a wealthy merchant, five hundred pieces of gold is a lot of money!" said Umezu.

"Do you want me to thank you for it?" said Seistsu.

"You ought to," said Umezu.

"Why should I?" said Seistsu, "The giver should be thankful!".