I posted this in my group - then realized that more people could enjoy it too.

[edit: I copied this story from a newspaper column by Paulo Coelho. All praise goes to the original author]

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A young man said to the abbot from the monastery:

"I'd actually like to be a monk, but I haven't learned anything in life. All my father taught me was to play chess, which does not lead to enlightenment. Apart from that, I learned that all games are a sin."

"They may be a sin but they can also be a diversion, and who knows, this monastery needs a little of both" - was the reply. The abbot asked for a chess board, sent for a monk and told him to play the young man. But before the game began, he added:

"Although we need diversion, we cannot allow everyone to play chess the whole time. So, we only have the best players here; if our monk loses, he will leave the monastery and his place will be yours."

The young man knew he was playing for his life, and broke into a cold sweat; the chess board became the centre of the world. The young man attacked, but then saw the saintly look on the other man's face; at that moment, he began playing badly on purpose. After all, he would rather lose, a monk is far more useful to the world.

Suddenly, the abbot threw the chess board to the floor.

"You have learned far more than was taught you" - he said.

"You concentrated yourself enough to win, were capable of fighting for that which you desire.

Then, you had the compassion, and were willing to make a sacrifice in the name of a noble cause. Welcome to the monastery."

Cool! I like that story myself thank you for sharing it.

Good Story. I am saving for me, that I can tell many people.

pretty interesting thanks

excellent story 5 stars!

Quite revealing! Thanks.

incredibly thought provoking.

Thank you everybody, for all the kind words!

I've heard this story before, except the master was going to kill the loser. 

I wonder what the origin is?

One a series of short stories written by Paulo Coelho, well-known author of such books as The Alchemist.

This is becoming more interesting, because I have seen this story in a very different form, and much longer.  However much of the details of the story were different.