In a small hut deep in the mountains lived an old Zen master. One moonlit night, he returned home after a stroll in the woods. When the Zen master was about to push open the door of his little hut, he spotted through the window a burglar rifling his belongings. Afraid that his sudden appearance might startle the burglar, the master waited patiently outside the door for the intruder's exit.
Finding nothing of value, the burglar decided to leave. He opened the door gingerly and upon stepping out the front door, he was shocked to see an old man standing outside. Panic overtook the burglar's face. The master said courteously, "You've travelled afar through the mountains to visit me. I couldn't let you leave empty-handed. I have nothing valuable to gift you. But take this coat, the night is chilly." The master removed his coat and draped it over the burglar's shoulders.
Red-faced and remorseful, the burglar slipped off into the night with the coat wrapped loosely around his body. Gazing at the intruder's treating back, the Zen master sighed, "Such a pitiful young man. Let me present you with the gift of the bright moon!"
The next morning, when the old Zen master awoke, he pushed open the door to go outside as usual. To his surprise, he found the same coat neatly folded and placed near the door. As he looked at it, he joyously exclaimed, "I have given him the gift of the bright moon!"
(Story as told by Master Jinbodhi)
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