The Angry Man
Story:
One day, a man came to Buddha and started insulting him with harsh words. Buddha calmly asked him, “If you give a gift to someone, and that person does not accept it, who will the gift belong to?”
The man thought for a moment and replied, “It will belong to the person who gave it.”
Buddha smiled gently and said, “Exactly. I have not accepted your anger or your insults, so they remain with you.”
Lesson:
If we do not accept the anger or insult of others, it cannot harm us. Their negative emotions cannot disturb our inner peace unless we allow them to.
The Mustard Seed
Story:
A grieving mother went to Buddha, asking him to bring her dead son back to life. Buddha asked her to bring a mustard seed, but with a condition: she must bring it from a house where no one has ever died.
She searched tirelessly, but wherever she went, she heard stories of death. Finally, she realized that death is universal and happens in every household. She returned to Buddha, understanding that she must accept this inevitable part of life.
Lesson:
Death is an integral part of life. When we accept this truth, we can ease our grief and learn to appreciate the beauty of life more deeply.
The Silent Answer
Story:
A young man asked Buddha, “What is the truth of the universe? Where does the soul go after death?” Buddha remained silent for a while, and then replied, “If a person is wounded by a poisoned arrow, should they first ask who shot the arrow, or should they remove the arrow from their body?”
The young man said, “The arrow should be removed first.”
Buddha smiled and said, “Similarly, some questions do not bring us forward in life. The most important thing is to purify our mind and focus on our inner peace.”
Lesson:
Not all questions lead to progress. Our main goal should be to calm and purify our minds, as that brings us true growth and freedom.
The Robber Angulimala
Story:
Angulimala was a notorious robber who had killed many people. One day, Buddha was walking along the road, and Angulimala confronted him. He asked, “Why are you walking so slowly? Can’t you catch up with me?”
Buddha calmly replied, “For someone who seeks peace and wisdom, there is no need to rush.”
Angulimala, astonished, realized that he had been living a life of violence, and Buddha’s words transformed him. He became a monk and gave up his violent ways.
Lesson:
The power of compassion and wisdom can change even the most hardened hearts. If a person truly learns the path of truth, their life can transform completely.
The Reflection in the Water
Story:
Buddha asked his disciple to fetch water from a muddy pond. After waiting for some time, the disciple returned with clear water. Buddha said, “Just like this muddy water, the mind too becomes clear after some time. When the mind is disturbed, it takes time to calm down, but once it is calm, everything becomes clear.
Lesson:
Peace of mind is the greatest gift. When the mind is still, we can see the true essence of life and the wisdom within us.
