Questions to Master Deshimaru

Question

What does the sentence, "Give to the rich and take from the poor," mean?

Answer

Wealthy people are always afraid that someone is going to ask them for something. It's a psychological phenomenon. On the other hand, it will certainly be a pleasant surprise for them if somebody gives them something. Are you rich or poor? PoorIf, being poor, you give something, then that is true charity. Rich people can always make presents, but for you it is a true fuse, a gift of great value, of great price. At Nara in Japan there is a very great temple called Todai-ji. In that temple there is an enormous statue of Buddha. Master Genjo, its founder, was asked by the emperor to build a big temple; so the priest went to a bridge under which lived many, many beggars. After bowing down to them he asked them for alms. They were completely bewildered and taken aback. And then they felt very proud. Every day Genjo came to perform sampai[55] prostrate himself before them; and every day they gave him a little money. Some gave more. And so he began to build the temple. He told them what the statue was to be like and explained that by contributing to the building they would be remembered by history. The statue is of Buddha sitting on a lotus flower. So the beggars gave him a lot of money and talked about it all day long. Before, they had always been beseeching and complaining, "I'm sick, help me, please." Afterwards, they became truly wise and their words grew profound. They gave away half of everything they begged to build the temple, and they went on giving until it was finished.