Long ago, there was an accomplished swordsman. The king heard about his great skill and summoned him to teach his army what he knew. In those days, you did not refuse an invitation from the king, and so the swordsman made the trip to the palace. When he finally arrived, the king gathered all his top guards to join in on the lesson. The swordsman said, "I can beat anyone with only two techniques. No one can stop me."
Annoyed at the swordsman's arrogance, the king decided to test him. He ordered his best soldier to step into the ring with the swordsman. The king commanded, "Cut him down! You must defend our honor!"
The soldier lifted his sword right over the swordsman's head threateningly.
The swordsman seemed unaffected and said calmly, "So be it. I can see that you have much to learn."
The swordsman knelt down, preparing to receive the unjustified deathblow and said, "Here open the gates of
hell."
The king saw that he was being taught a lesson and said, "Wait, spare him." At which point the guard stepped back and replaced his sword to its sheath.
The swordsman rose, gestured widely, and said, "Here enter the gates of heaven."
The king bowed to the swordsman and said, "Please accept me as your student." He became a devoted student who ruled with constraint and compassion, seeing into the true nature of all things.
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