Right & Wrong

A Zen Koan.

A great meditation master attracted students from all over the world to study under him. People from all over the world would travel to receive his wisdom.

A new student arrived at the temple. A few days later he was caught stealing.

The incident was brought to the master, who did nothing about it.

A few days later the student was caught stealing for a second time.

The master was informed, but he again did nothing about it.

This frustrated the other students. Where was the justice?

They brought a petition to the master asking him to either dismiss the student, or the rest of the group would all leave the temple together.

The master called his students together to confront them.

"My dear students. You are indeed wise. You know right from wrong. Leave if you wish and continue your studies elsewhere. But your poor brother cannot tell what is right and what is wrong. If I don't teach him, who will? I have decided to keep him even if you all decide to leave."