Tag Archives: The Bodhidharma And The Fair Trial

167. The Bodhidharma And The Fair Trial

Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta became his lord justice. The king’s chaplain went to a village where he was attacked by headman. The chaplain came and complained about this to the king. When the king heard the priest’s story, he summoned the headman and himself sat in judgment, and without examining into the matter he said, “You have beaten my priest and raised a bump on his forehead,” and ordered all your property to be taken from you. Then said the Bodhisatta to him, “Sir! Without even investigating the matter you passed on the judgement. But some men after inflicting wounds on themselves declare that they have been wounded by another.