So young Hashim offered the bandits some land. But they refused it and said "These goods are worth more than land" So he than said "I offer my family and daughter to you" But yet again, the bandits said 'No, these goods can bring us many wives and men's daughters" Hashim chuckled. "Refuse what you wish, but please don't kill me." The bandits began to laugh. Hashim had them where he wanted. "What if I told you some jokes, in exchange for my freedom?" The bandits decided they had nothing to lose with that. "Fine" said the leader. After telling a good joke, the entire band of bandits were in stitches, laughing up a storm. That's when Hashim whistled and out came hundreds of men, they than killed the bandits. But, one bandit lived and after the men disappeared, he asked Hashim "Are you a god?" "No" replied Hashim, "I'm a mere man who is faithful to my religion. They came to me because I am the only man in this country who is a follower of Buddha." The bandit cried and asked to be forgived and asked Hashim to make him a copy of the Lotus Sutra so he may be saved. Hashim did this and the bandit began to follow him around. This is the story of Hashim, the only Arabic Buddhist in this mysterious and illuminous time period.
I'm not Buddhist, but I just took a Japanese story and edited a little and made it very much shorter.
keep them coming!
