People are greedy so they easily cause bad karma.
Little do they know, they can get benefits now but will meet disaster later.
TO TAKE OVER TO HELP
The General and his escort came to visit a hermit. He took off his shoes, his sword and gave them to a reliable attendant. He carried a tray of offerings, took a long breath, looked up to the sky, and asked for permission to see the hermit. The errand boy quickly went inside, then came out to let the General in.
The General offered the tray of offerings, knelt down to the hermit, clasped his hands, and said:
"Dear Master, almost my whole life, I've governed this area very well, all thanks to your precious teachings. Our national border is steady. My merit to the Royal Court has been upheld. Next year, I should be ordered to return to the Capital, get promoted, and possibly stay there for good. I want to accomplish great things before going back to the Capital."
"Dear Master, the neighboring country has caused many troubles at the border, and I had to suppress them many times. They were afraid of my talent, so they didn't dare to do anything yet. However, if I get back to the Capital, they will likely attack us. Please teach me whether I should attack and occupy their Capital first. I can eliminate their entire reign, make that nation a province of our country. Thus, our country will be peaceful and stable, and that will be my accomplishment."
The hermit shook his head and said:
"You want to have peace, but by killing people, our country will be chaotic later. With your current army, you can surely defeat them. But ten years later, another country on the other side will defeat us. It is better that you let them be a barrier to protect us. When the other attacks them, we will have time to prepare for a fight. The best solution is that you help them develop their economy, education and culture, so as to build a close relationship between two countries. We just sincerely help them, especially in understanding the Law of Karma. Gradually, that country will be strong and become the wall for our country. This way is much better than conquering. If you listen to me, the blessing of your family line will be prosperous and long-lasting."
The General contemplated for a while, then knelt down to the hermit and said:
"I'm so grateful to you. This strategy is really amazing."
The General and his escort went down from the mountain. The hermit came out and sat on a big stone. His attendant asked:
"Dear Master, yesterday, some people also came and asked you about taking things from others, with similarly noble reasons. I remember you telling them to help, rather than to take, because that will benefit them more."
The hermit said:
"Yes, I honestly think so. Taking things from others is a cruel and immoral act. The village chief wanted to take a man's wife, arguing that she would be happier as his concubine than to live with her husband. I told him to help the couple become happy. If he takes the man's wife, he will meet disaster later. He will have a spoiled son who will destroy all of his fortune. The landowner wanted to take another family's rice field, reasoning that they didn't know how to plant rice properly. I told him to help them increase the yield, rather than taking their land. If he takes that land by force, his grandkids will die on the same land."
"People are greedy so they easily cause bad karma. Little do they know, they can get benefits now but will meet disaster later."
We hope the hermit's words can help to wake up people's minds.
Written by:
Janna
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