During the civil wars in feudal Japan, an invading army would quickly sweep into a town and take control. IN one particular village, everyone fled just before the army arrived - everyone except the Zen master. Curious about this old fellow, the general went to the temple to see for himself what kind of man this master was. When he wasn't treated with the respect and submissiveness to which he was accustomed, the general burst into anger.

"You fool!" shouted the general as he reached for his sword. "Don't you realize you are standing before a man who could run you through without blinking an eye?"

Despite the threat, the master seemed unmoved. "And do you realize," the master replied calmly, "that you are standing before a man who can be run through without blinking an eye?" At this comment, the general, surprized and awe by the master, sheepishly leaves.

The moral of this parable? I think it's that Japanese monks are the ultimate power.