Buddhist Story : Comply With Good

Once, Buddha resided in a Niguyu garden located in Kapilavadhu City.  Mahanama, who was one of Buddha’s cousins, came to visit.  

He raised a question to Buddha, “I fear that I will lose my focus on being mindful of you, the Dharma, and the Sangha.  A question occurs to me; Where will I be reborn when I die, if I lose my focus?” 

Buddha said, “Don’t be afraid.  You won’t be reborn in the lower realms.  For example, when a big tree falls, what direction will it lean toward?”

Mahanama answered, “The big tree will lean to the side where most of its branches grow.” 

Buddha said, “So do you.  After you die, you won’t plunge to wretched realms if you abide in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.  You are mindful of the Three Jewels.  Even when your physical body dies, your mind dwells in the right faith constantly and consistently.  When you are alive, you uphold the pure precepts, practice giving, listen to the Dharma at the temple, and carry out appropriate practices in your daily life.  Gradually, you meditate and contemplate the profound meanings of the Dharma.  You obtain the virtues of faith, precepts, giving, listening and wisdom.  With these virtues and your good deeds, your consciousness will head for the realm of peace and joy and be reborn in the heavens.”

Mahanama was filled with brightness and hope for his future lifetimes.  He paid homage to Buddha with great joy and left. 

Reflection: 
     We must build good connections with people.  In our busy, hectic lives, we tend to be indifferent at best, and callous at worst, to the needs of others.  We tend to be critical rather than generous with praise.  Why not pause for a moment and show concern for the people around us?  In doing this, you will be rewarded with unimaginable joy in return.  
     Colors will peel off and fade away; a healthy and vigorous body will deteriorate with age; you are doomed to die; sickness can strike at any time.  Therefore, we should always practice meditation, moderate our desires, and cultivate our minds diligently.  We should aim to transcend this cycle of birth and death to reach the shore of cool liberation.  Our attachment to this impermanent body leads to greed, anger and ignorance.  We carry out many evil deeds.  Trapped in the cycle of delusion, karma and suffering, we can never be free from the six paths.  Therefore, we should diligently practice the Dharma.  
     Forgiveness can dissipate all resentment, and a thankful heart can foster tolerance. Tolerance is the glue of society, and the origin of peace.  It is the author of all virtue.  We should not waste this short life on hate or the pursuit of power.  In daily life--whether met with praise or ridicule, slander or approval, gain or loss, or pain or joy--if one stays patient and unmoved, all obstacles will fade away.  Good relationships and successful undertakings will naturally follow.  We should use this limited life to attain enlightenment of Buddha.