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When Buddha was still in our world, an elder was very supportive of the Buddha's Dharma and often donated money to help the lonely and the poor, so everyone respected him and entitled him as “Anathapindika” (the Elder who helps the lonely and the poor).
Value the equality of humanity which transcends social classes
At that time, society was divided into distinct classes known as the caste system. Slaves were of the lowest caste and were called the "untouchables." Although Anathapindika was very wealthy and from a higher caste, he was kind and loving and treated people of all social classes equally. He had a good friend who was a slave from the lowest social level.
This enslaved person was of good character. Anathapindika trusted him very much and entrusted him with managing his property. But Anathapindika's relatives and friends disapproved of his decision, and they advised Anathapindika to stay away from abject enslaved people. Anathapindika explained to his relatives and friends, “All men are in nature equal, and there is no distinction between people of higher or lower social classes." However, their sense of hierarchy was so deeply rooted that it badly troubled Anathapindika, so he visited Buddha and asked for advice.
Buddha highly praised Anathapindika’s virtue of respecting humanity and told him that he not only treated people equally in this life but in his past lives as well. Buddha talked about the story of Anathapindika and the slave friend in one of their past lives…
Tree God and Grass God
Once upon a time, a King had a majestic and magnificent palace and a garden with many rare plants. A cluster of lucky grass grew lush and lovely among these plants, swaying in the wind and exuding a delicate fragrance. There is also an apricot tree with leafy branches and a straight trunk. It is the tallest and the most majestic tree in the garden called the "King of all trees."
One day, people in the Palace reported to the King that a "Single-pillar Hall" in the Palace was very old and only supported by one large pillar; hence, it might collapse at any time. Therefore, the King appointed artisans to replace the original pillar with the best wood.
The artisans searched all over the country but couldn't find suitable trees for the pillar. Later, they found that only the apricot tree in the Palace was satisfactory. Although this apricot tree was called the "King of all trees," and the King loved it, the "Single-pillar Hall" was a precious architecture. After due consideration, the King decided to cut down the apricot tree.
The ancient people believed that there were gods inhabiting plants and trees, so the artisans prepared some fruits to worship the God of the apricot tree and prayed, "The 'Single-pillar Hall' is about to fall; hence, we have to cut you down to make a pillar tomorrow. Please forgive us!" After saying that and bowing, they went back. The God of the apricot tree was a goddess, and when she heard that she was about to be cut down, she cried in sorrow. The other Tree Gods also sighed with sadness, but they couldn't think of a way to help her.
The Goddess was always very friendly to the God of the lucky grass. At that moment, the God of the lucky grass also comforted the goddess and said, "Is sighing going to help? We need to find a way to solve the crisis as soon as possible." The Tree Gods have always despised the humble Grass Gods and said disdainfully, "We Tree Gods can't even figure out what to do. You are just a humble Grass God. What can you do?" The Grass God said, "As long as I care with my heart, I will find a way."
That night, the God of the lucky grass gathered many insects to stick soil on the truck of the apricot tree so that the trunk was covered with small mounds, which seemed to be pests' doing. The following day, when the craftsman brought people to cut down the tree, he saw this scene and couldn't help but exclaimed: "Why is the tree suddenly like this? It is so badly eaten by insects! We can no longer use it." So they gave up cutting the tree.
The goddess said gratefully, "The Tree Gods usually advise me not to associate with the humble Grass God, but when I was in trouble, only the Grass God could help me!"
After telling the story, Buddha said to Anathapindika, "The Goddess at that time was your past life, and the God of Lucky Grass is the slave's past life. There is a difference between good deeds and evil deeds, but no distinction between people of higher or lower status, and you have helped each other throughout many lives. You have established close bonds and must cherish this friendship."
Most people judge others based on wealth, power, and educational background, and they despise people whose social status is lower than their own. Fame, wealth, and power are illusory and impermanent. None of them is the actual value of life. We should treat everyone with equality and build a good rapport with others with sincerity and love. Such is the way of life with wisdom.
Translated by Yang Hui Wen
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