(Photo by Wong Twee Hee)
During the Buddha’s time, there was a Sudatta Anathapindika, whose heart was filled with joy after listening to the Buddha expound the Dharma. Not only did Sudatta’s whole family seek refuge with the Buddha but he also built an ashram for the Buddha and his monastic community.
However, there was an old maid in the family who felt very distressed and reluctant to see how dedicated Sudatta was in supporting the Buddha and his teachings. She would get angry whenever she saw the Buddha or monks coming to Sudatta’s home to receive offerings.
One day, Sudatta’s wife noticed the unhappiness of the old maid and said to her: "Do you know that the Buddha is the Wise One of the world? It is our blessing to be able to give offerings to the Buddha!"
Despite so, the old maid still felt that Sudatta was very foolish to support the Buddha and the very name of the Buddha made her feel very troubled.
When Queen Mallika heard about the old maid’s (dislike towards the Buddha), she asked Sudatta, "I heard that there is an old maid in your home who is not only disrespectful to the Buddha, but also slanders the Three Jewels (the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha or monks) in public. Is that true? Why don't you terminate her service?"
Sudatta explained to Queen Mallika: "The Buddha compassionately loves and cares for all sentient beings. It is not easy to guide and enlighten sentient beings. Besides, she is a poor, elderly and lonely person. Where can she go after I fire her? It is due to her deep-rooted habitual tendency that she has such an affliction today. I wish to slowly adjust her attitude and mindset with a loving heart."
Queen Mallika said, "I want to meet her and understand the real reason for her disrespect for the Three Jewels."
Then, Sudatta went home and prepared an offering of gold. He instructed the old maid to send the gold to the palace because Queen Mallika wished to offer it to the Buddha. The old maid was upset beyond words upon receiving the instruction from her master. She was already very reluctant to give offerings to the Buddha herself, and now, she had to send the precious item to the queen for her to offer to the Buddha. So she mumbled unhappily and reluctantly did as instructed.
After receiving the gold from the old maid, Queen Mallika then told her with a gentle voice about the spiritual joy and liberation she felt after hearing the Dharma. Despite hearing what Queen Mallika had said, the old maid was still not able to understand the teachings and could not accept the Buddha.
Forming good affinities with others is the key to enlightening them
Just then, the Buddha arrived at the palace. Upon hearing that the Buddha had arrived, the maid immediately turned to leave the palace. But Queen Mallika used all means to make her stay.
Since the maid was still in the palace, she listened to the Buddha expound the Dharma together with everyone. The Buddha’s compassionate countenance and the wisdom of the Dharma made her gain some realisations, and she felt joy in her heart. However, she still maintained a distance from the Buddha. Even when the Buddha visited Sudatta in his home, she would hide herself and stay away from him.
In view of all that, the Buddha explained, "In our previous lives, she (the old maid) and I lacked joyful karmic connections. Now, the person who can gain her trust and guide her onto the path of Buddhism is not me, but Rahula."
Rahula was an adorable little novice who had just entered the monastic community. So, the Buddha asked Rahula to guide and enlighten the old maid.
Due to a joyful karmic connection between the old maid and Rahula in a past life, the maid was very happy to see Rahula. The young novice shared with her the teachings of the Buddha as well as life in the monastic community. The old maid was very engrossed with his words and very touched by what he had said. And she requested to take refuge with the Buddha. Thus, Rahula guided the old maid to enter the door of Buddhism.
In daily life, we must “do good deeds ourselves, guide and encourage others to do good deeds, and rejoice when we see others doing good deeds", just like how Sudatta felt so joyful offering to the Buddha and mindfully inspired more people to (connect with the Buddha and his teachings). We feel happy when we see others find joy in the Dharma, but when we see others having no faith in the Dharma, we will find that a shame, too.
Queen Mallika was a devoted Buddhist and she hoped that everyone could know about the Dharma. Therefore, she guided the old maid with wisdom. In any case, if we wish to eradicate our karmic obstacles, we must form positive and joyful affinities with others more often.
Extracted from “Tan Gu Shuo Jin”《谈古说今》
Translated by the Tzu Chi Singapore translation team
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