“Thieves can only steal what they can see.
Wisdom isn't stolen.”
— Jen Roshi
Temple of the Immortals
While Jiayi, the old Monk was bathing, a thief sneaked into his hut and made off with his robe, staff and begging bowl.
Several days later, a man entered the baker's shop and selected a loaf of bread for which he offered up a bowl in exchange. Having seen the bowl a hundred times (even at his own table...) the baker gravely accepted it in payment and kept it under his counter — to be returned to the Monk.
A few days later, a man came to town wearing the Monk’s robe. Approaching him from behind, a lady called to him, "Jiayi! I have a riddle for you, old friend!" Yet the man, knowing himself by another name, kept walking. The old lady picked up her pace, insistently saying, "Jiayi! You are old certainly, but are you deaf? Why not stop and speak to me?" Finally catching up, the lady caught the man’s shoulder and spun him around. "I say, Sir! How came you by this robe, the only possession of our treasured monk?”
At this, the thief shed the robe and dashed away, clad only in his undergarments. The robe was lovingly washed, patched and returned to Jiayi, when he came to town the next day. He gladly donned the soft old garment and resumed his daily routine, stopping, conversing, teaching and listening his way around the town; visiting each of his charges and being lovingly graced with meals and extra food.
A few days later, Jiayi answered a hail at his door and found the thief bowing before him, surrendering up the missing staff in offering. As he bowed in return, he reached for the new staff, standing by the door. Leaning upon it, he said, "Sir, why not keep my old friend with you as wise counsel against the quick and easy path? I'll keep this new gift from the townspeople, and we can both be reminded of the importance of community.”
The thief bowed lower and that day became Jiayi's disciple...
Years later he explained to a novice, "Jiayi kept what I couldn't steal."
The novice answered, "But you stole his bowl, his robe and his staff!"
"Yes!" said the disciple. "What can be seen can be stolen: A robe, a staff and a bowl! But the integrity, the honesty and compassion of the man who owned them, I could not steal — nor could I counterfeit them. They were what compelled people to look twice at the robe, the bowl and the staff. Some of his wisdom rubbed off on his humble belongings, and that property was eventually returned to its rightful owner."
"What I could see (and steal) was somehow linked to what I could not. Over time, I hope, some of that wisdom has rubbed off on me as well..."
Applications
1. Personally
The wisdom of Jiayi was in focusing on his charges: helping, teaching, listening, serving — and being honestly served in return. The difference between serving and selling is hard to identify, but with the passage of time; the true quality of one’s interactions reveal themselves. Were they merely self-serving? Or did they prove to be the best for all concerned?
2. At Home
It's a fast moving world. Even magazine titles proclaim it. In the family, we have to deal with fast partners and fast children, who can't wait to acquire fast "food," faster toys, and the fastest network goodies. But at the same time, we need to remind our children (and perhaps ourselves) of the virtues of slow relationships, slow compounding interest for college and the slow and steady "acquisition of wisdom" vs. the "quick access to information."
3. At Work
It's one thing to have an idea; another thing entirely to think through its applications and slow development from "a Story" to "a Reputation" to "a Brand." If you present it in a way that makes it unique, the wisdom and its presentation become one thing — inseparable. Over time, your intelligence, and the way you package and deliver it become your Signature: something that cannot be stolen — only admired. Many people attempt to "appear smart" at work. But true wisdom, integrity and service are not appearances; and must be demonstrated over time.
Focus on acquiring and delivering wisdom that can't be stolen, and your bowl will never be empty!
