When Seisetsu was Enkaku's teacher in Kamakura, he demanded a larger room because the one he taught in was overcrowded.
Umezu Seibei, a merchant from Edo, decided to donate 500 pieces of gold, called ryo, to build a larger school. He brought this money to the teacher.
Seisetsu said:
- Okay, I'll take them.
Umezu gave Seisetsu the bag of gold, but was dissatisfied with the teacher's attitude. One person can live for a whole year on three ryos, and they didn’t even thank him for 500 ryos!
“There are 500 ryo in this bag,” Umezu said casually.
“You already told me,” Seisetsu replied.
“Even though I’m a rich man, 500 ryo is a lot of money for me,” Umezu spoke again.
-Do you want me to thank you for them? Seisetsu asked.
“You have to do it,” Umezu replied.
- Why should I? Seisetsu asked. - The giver must give thanks.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru