Bliss

Author(s): Amarmuni
Publisher: Sanmati Gyan Pith Agra

Page 93

78
Attachment is bondage, detachment liberation
his subjects praised him for his great sacrifice, he simply said, “Brothers, why are you praising me so much? What have I relinquished? Nothing at all!"
His subjects remarked, “In a world where people hold on to every penny that they own, you have given up all. You are indeed noble-hearted that inspite of sacrificing all your material comforts you say you have relinquished nothing!"
Do you know what the young prince replied? He said, "There is no greatness in this. It is merely a matter of realization. One man has a small packet of poison and another has a sack full of poison. Both of them do not know that what they possess is poison and therefore they guard and protect it. But the day they realize that it is poison, will they delay in throwing it away? Now, if people say that the person with the sack has done a great sacrifice, is that true? I have also done the same thing. What I have given up is poison, and I have given it up for immortality. Therefore, what is so noble or great about what I have done?"
On reflection, this simple truth is obvious. But those who are proud of their sacrifices do not wait to reflect. Instead they pass judgment based on material quantities. A man who has amassed great wealth is praised endlessly when he gives up a portion of it. But the poor man who relinquishes his meagre possessions goes unnoticed. Think about this. Do you not agree with me that the loss of one drop of blood is more significant for an ant than the loss of hundred drops of blood for an elephant?
We must reflect on this principle, for herein lies the truth of life which we must abide by. By passing judgment based on quantum of possessions, we are in fact aiding and abetting gross falsehood as a way of life. This is no way to find solutions.
Once Lord Buddha visited the town of Vaiśālī. The people of the town thronged him for his blessings and in keeping with the tradition of those times, they offered him platters of pearls, diamonds and other riches. If one placed one's palm over a gift, it was considered a sign of acceptance.
When Buddha placed his palm over all the treasure, the