The world of Tzu Chi June 2021 (Vol.135)

2021 • 06 54 H igh on a mountain, there once lived a family who made their living by farming and pasturing, and everyone in the family was very frugal. Although each year the crop was abundant and the sheep were well-grazed and sturdy, the family never ate mutton. When the husband got older, he began to think, “I have raised so many sheep, but I have never once tasted mutton in my entire life. I would sure like to try it some time.” He had always taught his children to be frugal and to sell all the crops and animals, keeping nothing for themselves. Therefore, he was afraid that if he set a precedent by eating mutton without an appropriate reason, the children would become wasteful. The two thoughts battled in his mind, but his desire for mutton grew stronger each day. One day, remembering that there was a large tree outside the house, an idea suddenly came to him. “I had a dream last night,” he said to his wife. “The tree god told me that we owe our abundant harvests and stout animals to him. He therefore wants us to sacrifice a sheep to him every month.” His family all thought it was reasonable to show their appreciation to the tree god, who might really have been responsible for the large harvests and fat animals. So, they started killing a sheep every month as a sacrifice to the deity. Years later, the husband became sick and bedridden. During that time whenever he closed his eyes, he felt as though flocks of sheep were running around inside his head. His painful moans sounded like the bleats of a sheep. What made him suffer most was that he had lied to his family because of his craving for mutton. Although he truly regretted it, no one could understand what he was going through. He died with profound sorrow and a deep sense of guilt. One night shortly after the funeral, the son dreamed of his father, who said to him sadly, “I lied to you, so now I have fallen into the realm of Animals.” The son woke up surprised, but he did not believe his father’s words and dismissed the whole thing If you kill an animal to satisfy your desire for good-tasting food, the consequences will make you regret your decision. aster Cheng Yen Tells Stories A Tragedy Caused by Gluttony