（Photo source: Envato）
When Buddha still walked on Earth, there was a well-accomplished Bhikkhu who was greatly respected by many. One day, one of Buddha’s disciples asked, “Buddha! What virtues does this young Bhikkhu carry? Why do so many people respect him and sing praise about him?”
Buddha replied, “This is because of his vows.”
Buddha went on to tell a story:
In the past, there lived two people who were good friends. They were both inferior. Once, they decided to go out and look for jobs together. One of them realised that the only food left in their house was only a bowl of green beans. That was the only food they had for the trip. As such, they brought the bowl of green beans together with them.
When they reached the city, they met a Pratyekabuddha who looked very dignified and of great self-cultivation. They were very delighted after catching sight of the Pratyekabuddha and thus discussed, “He can travel freely and look so dignified. It must be a result of his virtues and merits accumulated from his past lives and self-cultivation!” One of them said, “We have not been cultivating merits in our past lives. Thus we are so miserably poor now. Today, we have this rare opportunity to meet a sage with great self-cultivation. We must cherish the opportunity to make an offering to the sage.”
The other friend added, “I have the same sentiment too. However, we are penniless. What can we make an offering with?” The first friend replied, “I brought a bowl of green beans with me today. Let’s use that to make an offering to the Pratyekabuddha!” The other friend marvelled, “That’s good! It is admirable for you to be able to make such a good intention and goodwill! I rejoice in your merits.”
After which, they presented the green beans and made an offering to the Pratyekabuddha with due respect. The Pratyekabuddha was very joyful to receive the offering, for he knew they were very poor. Yet, they were still willing to offer him their only bowl of green beans. He proceeded to bless both of them.
After receiving the blessings, they kneeled on the ground and made a vow. One of them said, “If I am fortunate enough to be reborn with great merits in future life, I wish to become a king and to govern the country. After which, I hope to have the chance to practise self-cultivation to obtain greater wisdom!” The other friend vowed, “In the future life if I were to be reborn in a Brahmin family, I am willing to recite all the holy scriptures and practise self-cultivation diligently to gain Nirvana!” They continued to live the rest of their impoverished lives together and later passed on one after another. In their next lives, their wishes were granted.
In conclusion, one can create good karmic affinity by making good vows in the right direction and upholding good intentions. Our goals can be achieved only with good intentions, goodwill and perseverance. The result of a disparity between rich and poverty, noble and commoners, arises due to our thoughts. Therefore, it is important to watch and uphold the right intentions in our daily lives and cultivate our faith to generate good Karma.
Translated by Soh Wan Siew
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