Buddha and the Beggar
The Beggar and His Destiny
Once upon a time, there was a beggar who wanted to get some food. Every day he noticed that his food disappeared. One day, he caught the mouse that kept stealing his food.
— Mouse! Why do you steal my food? I am a homeless man. Go steal from those richer than me. They won't even notice. — But it is my destiny to steal from you. — What? Why? — Because your destiny is to possess only eight items. No matter how much you beg, no matter how much you gather, that is all you will ever be able to have.
The beggar was shocked and saddened.
— Who would wish for such bad luck? Why is this my destiny? — That I do not know, but try asking Buddha. Perhaps he knows.
The First Encounter: The Rich Family
So our man began his journey to find Buddha. He walked all day, and at dusk, he found himself on the property of a rich family. Tired and sleepy, he decided to spend the night there. So he knocked on the door.
— Esteemed sir, it's getting dark and I am new here. May I sleep here tonight, please? — Alright. Come on in!
The beggar entered the house, and the man asked him:
— Young man, where and why are you traveling so late? — I have a question for Buddha and I am going to meet him.
Just then, the rich man's wife arrived and overheard everything.
— Can we also give you a question for Buddha? — Oh, alright. I suppose I can ask on your behalf. What is the question, madam? — Oh, we have a sixteen-year-old daughter who cannot speak. We want to ask what we must do for her to speak.
So the next morning, the beggar thanked them for their shelter and assured them he would ask their question to Buddha.
— Goodbye!
The Second Encounter: The Wizard
He continued his journey and saw a sea of mountains that he had to cross.
— Oh dear! How do I cross this?
He climbed a mountain and met a wizard.
— Sir, can you help me cross? — Hop on!
The beggar climbed onto the wizard's staff and sat behind him. The wizard used his staff to carry the young beggar, flying with him over the sea of mountains. As they flew over the mountains, the wizard asked him:
— Where are you going? Why have you decided to cross these mountains? — I am going to meet Buddha and ask him a question about my destiny. — Oh, really? Can I also give you a question to ask Buddha? I have been trying to reach the heavens for a thousand years. According to my teachings, I should be able to reach the heavens by now. Can you please ask Buddha what I must do to reach the heavens? — Of course, I will ask for you.
The Third Encounter: The Giant Turtle
Continuing his journey, he came upon his last obstacle, which was a river he could not cross.
— Oh no! How do I cross this deep river?
Fortunately, he met a giant turtle, who decided to carry him across the river. As they crossed the river, the turtle asked:
— Where are you going? — I am going to meet Buddha and ask him a question about my destiny. — Will you ask a question for me too, please? — Sure! What question? — I have been trying to become a dragon for five hundred years. According to my teachings, I should have become a dragon by now. Can you please ask Buddha what I must do to become a dragon? — Thank you, turtle, for carrying me across the river. — You're welcome. And don't forget my question. — Of course not. I will ask the question for you.
Before Buddha: The Decision
The beggar continued his journey to find Buddha and finally arrived where he lived. The beggar stood in front of the monastery and took a deep breath.
— I've arrived! I will finally meet the great Buddha.
So the man entered happily and full of emotion, ready to ask his questions and those of others. When he entered and bowed before Buddha:
— Please accept my good wishes, Buddha! I have come from distant lands to ask you some questions. May I? Please! — Of course, you may. But I will only answer three questions.
Only three questions. The beggar was shocked. He had four questions.
— But I have four! What do I do now?
So he thought carefully. He thought about the turtle. The turtle had lived 500 years trying to become a dragon.
— Poor thing! What a hard life she must have in that deep river!
Then, he thought about the wizard, who had lived 1000 years trying to reach the heavens.
— Oh, 1000 years is a very long time. He deserves to reach the heavens now.
Finally, he thought about the girl who was going to live her whole life without being able to speak.
— Oh, a life without speaking is cruel.
And then, he looked at himself.
— I am just a homeless beggar. I can go back home and continue begging. I am used to it, nothing will change. But for them, everything can change if they get the answers.
Thus, looking at the problems of others, his own suddenly seemed very small. He felt sorry for the turtle, for the wizard, and for the girl, and he decided to ask their questions.
Buddha's Answers
And Buddha, as expected, replied:
— The turtle does not want to give up her shell. As long as she does not want to give up the comfort of her shell, she will never become a dragon. — Oh, who would have thought! — The wizard always carries his staff and never lets go of it. It is like an anchor that prevents him from reaching the heavens. — Oh, I will tell him that! — And the girl, what about her? — As for the girl, she will be able to speak when she meets her match. — Thank you, great Buddha!
Buddha looked at him and smiled. The beggar bowed before Buddha and set off back home. He met the turtle again.
The Return and Rewards
— Did you ask? — Oh, yes! You just have to shed your shell and you will become a dragon!
The turtle shed her shell, and inside were countless pearls, found in the deepest parts of the ocean. The turtle gave them to the beggar:
— Here, take them, as a token of my gratitude. I no longer need this, for now I am a dragon. Thank you, generous man!
And she flew away. The beggar met the wizard again on a mountaintop.
— You just have to give up your staff and you will be able to reach the heavens! — Really? — That's what Buddha said.
So the wizard gave up his staff. He gave it to the young man, then ascended to the heavens.
— Farewell, young man! Be good!
The beggar now had wealth from the turtle and power from the wizard. He returned to the family who had offered him shelter. They were very happy to see him and awaited the answer.
— The great Buddha said that your daughter will be able to speak when she meets her match.
And at that moment, the daughter came downstairs and spoke.
— Hey, is this the man who was here last week?
The girl and her parents were shocked. They looked at the beggar. He was their daughter's match. The parents set the wedding date, and they all lived happily ever after.
The Moral of the Story
So remember, friends: all the good you do for others will return to you.
