The world of Tzu Chi Jan-Feb 2022 (Vol.139)

TZU CHI 139 49 * This article is extracted from the book “A Steady Heart and Steady Practice”. His wife asked, “What kind of shop?” He replied, “A shop to sell cloth.” His wife heard this and was overjoyed. “If you open a shop, I would be a boss’s wife!” He said, “Yes, at that point, all you would have to do is sit at the storefront and greet the customers.” Drunk with joy, the husband forgot that his wife was there and began to mumble to himself. “After getting a store, I would expand to two or three more. I would then take another wife, two more wives...” When his wife heard this, she became angry, quickly sitting up, grabbing her husband by the hair and viciously beating him. The husband was confused by her beating and grew angry. He picked up a carrying pole and threw it at her. As the two fought, their yelling startled the neighbours who were enjoying the moonlight. When the neighbours ran in to find out what was wrong, the husband then explained everything. When he finished, the neighbours asked, “So, where are the two coins?” The husband replied, “They are right there!” But when they looked over, they realized that it was only the moonlight shining through two holes in the roof that had created this illusion! So, because of this, they said to the couple, “Though you two have nothing, you are able to be happy and at ease. But if someday you really have money, would you still be able to carry on so joyfully?” After listening to them, the wife said to her husband, “I understand now. I would rather have love than money. Once we have money, our love will begin to fade.” Her husband also realized this and understood the suffering that money can cause. However, he said, “I could also take this money and use it to help others! In this way, it could transform suffering into happiness.” In life. what is true happiness? Just as this story recounts, if this couple had grown wealthy, then the husband may have become unfaithful and the couple would have lost their affection for one another. If he had done so, then his life would certainly no longer be peaceful! However, he could also have used this wealth to benefit others, giving his life greater purpose and value.