TOLERANCE

A Zen story tells about a great warrior who though old, was undefeated. His reputation extended far and wide and many students gathered to study under him. One day a notorious young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.

Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours, he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. However, the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling ashamed.

The students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How did you drive him away?" "If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"

It is pertinent to note that tolerance when combined with dignity and clarity of thought makes for strong character in a human being. Mahatma Gandhi has shown us the way of disagreeing without being disagreeable, protesting without insolence and speaking without shouting. Character is all about refusing to be affected by petty issues. Our response to every, stimulus should never be uni-dimensional. We must develop the ability to develop the dimension of tolerance and acquire the strength of dignity.

The consequence of tolerance is strength, not a limitation
Learn to “develop new dimensions” in every situation!

Regards
Pravin