Possession in Buddhism
In a secluded temple once lived a Buddhist monk full of wisdom and goodness, completely alone as a hermit. Long ago, the buildings had been erected, in the mountains, high above the city, many hours' walk from the nearest house. But life there was too arduous, the other monks moved away, only he remained, secluded, but in harmony with nature. The seasons dominated his life.
He was often visited, people traveled from far away to ask the man for advice. His reputation as an "enlightened" being was legendary, his recommendations were sought after.
Usually he received visitors in the small main hall, but one day a believer came to the door to his private room, knocked, and the monk invited him in. The people, who were so different, greeted each other in a friendly manner.
Completely astonished, the stranger looked around, there was no furniture or objects in the room, only a small mat lay on the floor, on which the monk rested.
"Master, you have no furniture, no possessions," he asked the monk.
The monk answered him, "And your furniture, your possessions, where are they"?
"But I am traveling, I don't have anything with me," the visitor replied.
The monk replied: "I am also traveling, wherever I am, I am only visiting.
Attachment to possessions, to people, to events, to status, to fame, to honor; all desire, all wishing, all hoping, all believing, this is the cause of all suffering. He who makes himself free from worldly things will be "free" for the reality of his self, of his I.
The vernacular says: "the last shirt has no pockets", nobody can take anything with him!
What is dear to us now, will rot and mold in a hundred years, probably already in a year lying unnoticed in a corner.
Happiness lies in us, not in things.
- Buddha -
Leisure is the most beautiful possession of all
- Socrates - Greek philosopher - 469 to 399 BC
Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de
(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog English" from the Apple and Android stores)
Please rate us on Apple, Google, or Spotify podcast to help us promote the show