A Zen Story - The Moon Cannot Be Stolen
Real wealth in life isn't something you can hold in your hands or lock away!
Ryokan, a Zen master, lived the simplest kind of life in a little hut at the foot of a mountain. One evening a thief visited the hut only to discover there was nothing to steal.
Ryokan returned and caught him. "You have come a long way to visit me," he told the prowler, "and you should not return empty-handed. Please take my clothes as a gift."
The thief was bewildered. He took the clothes and slunk away.
Ryoken sat naked, watching the moon. "Poor fellow," he mused, "I wish I could have given him this beautiful moon."
This Zen story about Ryokan and the thief perfectly illustrates Zen's knack for turning the tables on conventional thinking with a touch of humor and wisdom. Ryokan, a Zen master living a simple life in a hut, returns home to find a thief attempting to steal from him. But there's nothing to steal!
Instead of reacting with anger or fear, Ryokan invites the thief to take his clothes as a gift. This unexpected generosity leaves the thief bewildered, probably questioning his career choices.
Afterward, Ryokan sits naked under the moonlight and wishes he could give the thief "this beautiful moon." This moment captures the essence of Zen—finding beauty and fulfillment in the present moment and appreciating the intangible treasures life offers us.
Ryokan’s wish to share the moon highlights the idea that the real wealth in life isn't something you can hold in your hands or lock away; it's the ability to appreciate the world around you and find joy in simple moments.