The world of Tzu Chi July-August 2022 (Vol.142)

48 2022 • 08 W hen Buddha was still around, society then was also divided and full of unrest. Some practitioners believed that one has to live in seclusion to commit to his spiritual cultivation and return to educate the masses only when one has attained enlightenment. There was a practitioner who was very committed to his cultivation. However, the more he practised, the more he was troubled by the chaos and unwholesomeness of society. He often felt that people were foolish and vile, and perceived himself as someone with great intelligence. Whenever someone approached him with a question, he would always strive to educate the masses with the best explanation he could think of. To attract people’s attention, he began to carry a flaming torch during the day while exclaiming loudly, “What a dark place the world is! I shall light the path for everyone with this flaming torch of mine and bring light to your heart.” Those who witnessed him shouting just laughed it off. Whereas some shook their head in sympathy and wondered: Was he aster Cheng Yen Tells Stories The Practitioner Who Carries a Torch During the Day mentally unsound? The Buddha came to hear about the incident. He understood that the actions of this practitioner were of good intention. However, his actions were unwise and a reflection of his arrogance. The Buddha asked this torch- bearing practitioner, “Do you really know everything?” “Bring forth all your questions, for I can answer them all.” The Buddha began to ask him, “Do you know about geography and astronomy and the seasonal cycle?” “Isn’t that too profound?” He replied. The Buddha continued to ask, “Do you know how to rule a country so that the people can live an abundant life and the society can be harmonious and cohesive? If the country comes under a foreign threat, do you know how to deploy the army to protect the country?” The practitioner thought to himself, “I know nothing about astronomy or geography. I also do not know how to rule a country or deter any foreign invasion. How Translated by Soh Wan Siew Once, there was a practitioner who attempted to attract people’s attention by carrying a flaming torch during the day, while exclaiming loudly, “What a dark place the world is! I shall light the path for everyone with this flaming torch of mine.”