[Buddha-l] Re: What is the source of this story?

[Dhammanando Bhikkhu]

Richard Hayes:

> For years I have been repeating various versions of a story I read 
> several
> decades ago. I cannot now find the source, although I have a vague
> recollection that it came from a Chinese or Japanese Buddhist text. Can
> anyone help me locate it?

I remember Christmas Humphreys used to tell a story somewhat along 
those lines, except that the alleged speaker was the Emperor Marcus 
Aurelius and in Humphreys' version he was a lot more laconic than your 
fellow:

> A minister went to the king of his country and said "Your Majesty, I'm 
> afraid
> I have some very bad news. Our spies report that there are citizens 
> who are
> saying negative things about you."

M. Aurelius: "Are they indeed? Well that's their business."

Best wishes,
Dhammanando