The Giver Ought To Be Grateful

By Staff

Thursday, February 19, 2009, 14:53

Seisetsu was the master of Engaku in Kamakura. The quarters he was teaching was overcrowded and hence required a larger teaching area. Umeza Sebi, a wealthy merchant came forward to donate five hundred pieces of gold called ryo towards the construction of the a larger school. Hence he handed over the money to the master.

Seisetsu said: "All right. I will take it."

Umezu gave the master the sack of gold but was not happy about the attitude of the teacher as he did not utter a word of thanks. He thought that one could live comfortably with one ryo for one whole year and with five hundred the master seemed to be ungrateful.

Umezu hence sought to remind the master of his indifference.

He said : "There are five hundred ryo in the sack"

Seisetsu replied : "You had already told me that"

"Even though I am a rich merchant, five hundred ryo is a big money" said Umezu.

Seisetsu asked : "So do you want me to thank you for that?"

Umezu replied: " You actually should"

Seisetsu said : Why should I ? It is the giver who has to be grateful !