A samurai once went to see a monk. He asked the monk... “Teach me about heaven and hell.” The monk looked up at the mighty warrior and replied with utter disdain, “Teach you about heaven and hell? I couldn’t teach you about anything. You’re dumb. You’re dirty. You’re a disgrace, an embarrassment to the samurai class. Get out of my sight. I can’t stand you.” The samurai was furious. He shook, red in the face, speechless with rage. He pulled out his sword, and prepared to kill the monk. Looking straight into the samurai’s eyes, the monk said softly, “That is hell.” The samurai froze, realizing the compassion of the monk who had risked his life to show him hell! He put down his sword and fell to his knees, filled with gratitude. The monk said softly, “And that is heaven.”
