Koan Study: The Robe

Once, a visiting dignitary came to the temple. He presented Master Li with a fine silk robe. Master Li took the robe and went back to his hut without saying a word. The dignitary thought to himself, “That stupid priest! He didn’t even say thank you!” Later after dinner, the dignitary took a walk into town and saw an old woman wearing the robe he gave Master Li. The man went back to the temple and walked up to Master Li and said “Where is the robe I gave you?” Master Li replied: “I treasured it so much, I gave it away.”