Once upon a time a Zen master by the name of Seisetsu was teaching at a certain monastery but the space where he taught was too small, and he wished to build a larger space. A merchant named Umezu decided he would donate five hundred pieces of gold for this project, and presented it to the Zen master.

“All right,” said Seisetsu, “I will take it.”

Umezu gave Seisetsu the sack of gold pieces, but he was surprised at the Zen master’s attitude. One could live for a whole year on three pieces of gold, and for such a large gift the Zen teacher had not even said thank you.

“In the sack,” Umezu hinted, “there are five hundred pieces of gold.”

“You already told me that,” Seisetsu said.

“Though I am a wealthy merchant, it is a lot of money to me.”

“Do you want me to thank you for it?” Seisetsu asked.

“You ought to,” Umezu replied.

“Why should I?” Seisetsu said. “The giver should be thankful.”