A student came before the master Bankei and asked to be helped in getting rid of his violent temper.
Show me this temper, said Bankei. It sounds very fascinating.
I haven't got it right now, so I can't show it to you, said the student.
Well then, said Bankei, bring it to me when you have it.
But I can't bring it just when I happen to have it, protested the student. I'd surely lose it again before I got it to you.
In such a case, said Bankei, it seems to me that this temper is not part of your true nature.
If it is not part of you, it must come from outside.
I suggest that whenever it gets into you, you beat yourself with a stick until the temper can't stand it, and runs away!
-Zen Parable
