The Patience of Muso
[This story is adapted from Taking Flight. A Book of Story Meditations by Anthony de Mello.]
Muso Kokushi, a priest of the Zen sect, was traveling in the company of a disciple. They came to a river and boarded a ferry. Just as it was about to leave the shore, a drunken samurai ran up and jumped into the overloaded boat, nearly sinking it. Then he staggered around wildly, endangering the safety of the frail vessel., so the boatman begged him to stay quiet.
“We’re stuffed in here like gooseberries in a bottle,” said the samuari raucously. suddenly he saw Muso and shouted, “Here! Let’s throw the holy man overboard!”
“Please be patient,” said Muso. We’ll soon be across.”
“What? Me be patient?” he shouted wildly. “Look! If you don’t jump off, I’ll throw you overboard this minute.”
The Master’s calm demeanor in the face of these threats so enraged the samurai that he walked up to Muso, and struck him across the face, drawing blood. The disciple had had enough. He was a powerful man and he said, “After what he has done, he shall not live.”
“Why get so upset about a trifle?” said Muso with a smile. “It is on occasions like this that our training is put to the test. You must remember that patience is more than just a word.”