第5章 Gift of Insults

There once lived a great Samurai warrior.Though quite old,he was still able to defeat any challenger.His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study Zen under him.

One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village.He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master.Along with his strength,he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent.He would wait for his opponent to make the first move,thus revealing a weakness,and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed.No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.

Much against the advice of his students,the old master accepted the young warrior's challenge.As the two squared off for battle,the young warrior began to insult the master.But the old warrior stood there,motionless and calm.Finally,the young warrior exhausted himself.Knowing he was defeated,he left ashamed of himself.

Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth,the students gathered around the master and asked him,"How could you endure such an indignity?How did you drive him away?"

"If someone comes to you with a gift,and you do not accept it,to whom does the gift belong?"asked the Samurai.

"To the one who tried to deliver it,"replied one of his students.

"The same goes for envy,anger and insults,"said the master.

自取其辱

曾经在一个村子里住着一位杰出的日本武士，尽管他年事已高，但仍能打败任何挑战者。他名扬全国，许多学徒都聚到他门下学习禅宗。

有一天，一个声名狼藉的年轻武士来到大师所居住的村子。他下定决心要成为第一个击败大师的人。除了实力，他还有发现和利用对手弱点的神秘本领。他急切地等待对手先出招，这样对手就会露出破绽，然后他会毫不留情地以闪电般的速度给予还击。从来没有人能在与他的较量中顶得住第一招。

大师力排徒弟们的建议，欣然接受了年轻武士的挑战。二人摆开阵势，年轻武士开始辱骂大师。但是，大师一动不动，镇定自若。最后，年轻武士精疲力竭，自知已败，羞愧而去。

徒弟们见大师并没有和这个无礼小辈交手，略感失望，就围住大师，问道：“你怎么能忍受这样的侮辱？你是怎么把他赶走的呢？”

“如果有人携礼物来见你，你不接受，礼物会属于谁呢？”大师问道。

“属于想设法送礼的人。”其中一个徒弟回答。

“嫉妒、愤怒和谩骂也一样。”大师说。