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A small seed contains microscopic genes (i.e. “causes”). It requires the coming together of “conditions”, such as soil, water, sunlight and air before it can germinate and grow. As every single seed grows and develops, the seeds will eventually grow into a Bodhi forest. The same applies to people. We must get connected with wholesome teachings in order to accomplish our spiritual aspirations.
If we do not find our pure, innate nature and do not water and nourish this seed of goodness within us with the Dharma, it would be as good as dropping the seed onto an arid desert and our wisdom will never grow.
This is a story from a Buddhist sutra–
After offering some flowers to the palace, a florist was selling the remaining flowers in a market. A non-Buddhist spiritual cultivator came along and asked him: "How much does your pot of flowers cost? I want to buy it.”
The Elder Sudatta, a disciple of the Buddha who happened to pass by and saw the flowers, also said, "I am willing to pay a good price for the flowers. Sell them to me!"
Seeing how determined both men were to buy the flowers by bidding higher without giving in to either party, the florist asked curiously, "Why do both of you need this pot of flowers?"
The non-Buddhist cultivator said, "I want to offer this pot of flowers to the heavens and seek blessings from the gods."
Elder Sudatta said, "I am going to see the Buddha, and I want to express my respect for the Buddha with this pot of flowers."
The florist asked, “What kind of person is the Buddha? He is neither a heavenly being nor a god; why do you need to make an offering to him with such high respect?”
Elder Sudatta replied, “The Buddha is a human being. However, unlike any ordinary people, he is an enlightened being who has penetrated the Truth of all things the universe. And he is using his enlightened wisdom to guide and deliver living beings who are lost and deluded, leading everyone onto the right path.”
The florist thought to himself: “Elder Sudatta is a kind-hearted and prudent senior. If he would compete with another person just for a pot of flowers, then it shows that the Buddha must be a great enlightened being.”
The florist then decided to meet the Buddha with Elder Sudatta. He said to both of the men: "I am not selling this pot of flowers anymore. Instead, I will offer it to the Buddha myself."
Upon seeing the Buddha, the florist reverently prostrated to him. As he was bowing low, some petals from the flowers in his hands drifted to the Buddha’s head, forming a flower crown. The florist felt joy and purity in his heart at that moment and expressed his heartfelt wish to the Buddha: “I hope to follow the Buddha and engage in spiritual cultivation so that I can help sentient beings seek refuge with the right Dharma and be liberated from their afflictions.”
The florist also expressed his gratitude to Elder Sudatta by putting his palms together and saying to him: "I hope to become like you in the future, and be able to guide countless people to come and listen to the Dharma and cultivate spiritually.”
The Buddha smiled upon hearing what the florist had said, and his disciples at the scene were very surprised and puzzled. They thought: “How can a florist have such a great blessing?"
The Buddha said to everyone that the florist would be able to fulfil his wish of becoming a monk and that he would diligently cultivate himself in the countless aeons to come. He added that he would also gain enlightenment and become a Buddha in the future.
As we deal with complex people and matters in daily life, we must constantly adjust our minds to stay joyful and grateful. We should also seize the present to do good. Then, positive karmic causes and conditions, as well as good people and good deeds will all come together.
Where there is harmony, (things and our work will thrive). Then, we will have the power to help sentient beings break away from their suffering and find happiness, thereby benefiting them.
Source: Tzu Chi Taiwan website
Translated by the Tzu Chi Singapore translation team
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