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Perhaps some people may think that life is full of vexations. But in fact, this is due to their inability to understand the truths of life. Because of that, people bring afflictions upon themselves and even disrupt the order of society.
One day, when the Buddha was on the way back to his ashram with his disciples, they met a cattleman who was driving a herd of cattle back to the ranch. Suddenly, two cows began fighting with each other and subsequently, it developed into a group fight among the cattle.
The Buddha shook his head and sighed after seeing what happened. After the monks had returned to the ashram, Ananda asked, "Buddha, why did you sigh on the way back?"
The Buddha said, “Did you see the herd of cattle on the road?”
Ananda replied, “Yes.”
The Buddha then said, “The cattle were so relaxed and carefree while grazing in the grassland. However, when one of the cows became restless, it caused the entire herd to be in chaos! People are like these cows. Life is usually simple and peaceful until someone starts giving rise to greed and desires. Then, he will start to act improperly.”
The Buddha said again, "Ananda! Do you know why the cattlemen feed the cattle until they grow fat? That is because fat cattle can be easily sold and slaughtered for food! But those cattle were foolish and ignorant, and they were still fighting with one another. The life of a human is the same. Impermanence may strike at any time, but ignorant people are not fearful of it. They are still creating negative karma and taking issue with one another all the time. These people are no different from that herd of cattle!"
Nothing lasts forever
At that time, a Brahmin came to visit the Buddha all of a sudden. The Brahmin appeared very upset, so the Buddha asked him: “What happened?”
He replied, "I don't have a son, and only had a nine-year-old daughter. She suddenly became seriously ill one day and passed away shortly after that. Just as I was experiencing the most painful time in my life, my wheat crops, which were about to be harvested, were all burnt. Buddha, I really suffer much in life!"
The Buddha said, "There are four things in life that are inevitable. First, whatever that exists must come to an end; second, what goes up must come down; third, people that come together will part with one another one day, and finally, where there is birth, there is death. There is nothing anyone can do about it, because everything in the world is impermanent.”
“Some people may think that family and wealth are there to stay forever, but in fact, all these are only the results of good karma and blessings. Our blessings will be depleted one day. When the karmic conditions end, we will experience separation. When one is standing on a high spot, one will easily fall if one is not careful. There are times when people are separated from their loved ones in life, because ‘all good things must come to an end’. Besides, where there is life, there will be death. These four situations in life are inevitable and nothing can be done to resolve them. If you can't understand these truths, you will forever dwell in the pain of suffering and cannot be liberated."
After hearing what the Buddha had said, the Brahmin finally understood the truth of impermanence.
It is our choice whether or not we want to live a peaceful and carefree life or a life full of sorrows and worries. All these are controlled by our thoughts. Therefore, it is up to us what kind of life we want to live!
Extracted from Tzu Chi Taiwan website
Translated by the Tzu Chi Singapore Translation team
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