The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.115).

2019 • 10 54 T he Buddhist sutras tell us that after young Prince Siddhartha left the luxurious palace in which he had been raised and set off to find the path to the Truth, he encountered many difficulties that obstructed his spiritual development. For five years, he visited many different religious groups, but he was not satisfied with any of them. Next, he disciplined his body and mind as an ascetic for six years. During this time, the prince overcame many challenges, but there were also many demons which disrupted his study. Only after he abandoned asceticism did he attain Enlightenment. Thus, the greatest difficulty that the prince encountered in his spiritual development was that it took himmany years of study and practice before he arrived at the path to the Truth. “Why did I take so long in spiritual formation and encounter so many difficulties?” Buddha once asked his disciples. “Demons also troubled me for a long time. Do you know why?” “We don’t know,” his disciples replied. “Please tell us.” “Remember, I’m not the only Buddha,” Buddha pointed out. “I’m only one in a long line of Buddhas who have come to this world to teach the Truth and save all living beings. The Cause of Buddha’s Difficulties A story about an earlier Buddha will help illustrate my point.” At the time of Kyasa Buddha, there were two good friends. They grew up together and were very close to each other. They had similar interests, behaviour and goals. One, named Husi, had heard that Kyasa Buddha had boundless blessings and wisdom and was now preaching to people. Husi was happy to hear about this, because he realized that Kyasa Buddha was an excellent teacher. He did not want to miss this chance to learn from the Buddha. Husi did not want his friend Homan to miss the chance to hear the Buddha’s teachings, so he went to Homan’s home and said to him, “I have great news.” “What is it?” Homan asked. “The great sage, Kyasa Buddha, has arrived in our city to preach. We must go and hear his teachings.” “What is there to see and hear? He’s nothing but a bald monk!” Husi saw that his friend was not interested, so he did not go either. Three days went by. Husi heard many people praising the Buddha’s wisdom, so he went to Homan again. “Come on! We can’t miss this chance!” But Homan still had the same cynical Husi did not want to miss the chance to learn from Kyasa Buddha. But his friend Homan was not interested, so he did not go either. Six days went by, Husi grabbed Homan’s hair and said, “Whether you like it or not, you’re coming with me!” aster Cheng Yen Tells Stories