The Parable of Clinging and Letting Go

This story illustrates how attachment causes suffering and how letting go brings peace.

One day, Buddha was walking with his disciples along the bank of a river. He saw a man who was struggling to cross the river with a heavy load on his back. He was clinging to a raft that he had made out of branches and leaves. He was afraid to let go of the raft, even though it was slowing him down and making him tired.

Buddha asked his disciples, “Do you see that man? He is like many people who cling to their possessions, opinions, beliefs, habits, and emotions. They think that these things will make them happy and secure, but they only cause them more suffering and misery. They are afraid to let go of them, even though they are hindering their progress and happiness.”

He continued, “But if they learn to let go of their attachments, they will be free from suffering and attain peace. They will be able to cross the river of life with ease and joy. They will realize that the raft is not the goal, but only a means to reach the other shore.”

He concluded, “Therefore, use your raft wisely, but do not cling to it. When you reach the other shore, leave it behind and move on.”

Why Buddha Refused to Forgive

This story shows how forgiveness is not something that can be given or taken, but something that one has to find within oneself.

One day, a man came to Buddha and asked for his forgiveness. He said, “I have done many wrong things in my life. I have hurt many people with my words and actions. I have sinned against you and your teachings. Please forgive me for all my mistakes.”

Buddha looked at him and said, “I cannot forgive you.”

The man was shocked and said, “But why not? You are the Buddha, the compassionate one. You teach people to forgive and be forgiven. How can you refuse to forgive me?”

Buddha replied, “Because I have nothing to forgive you for. You have not sinned against me or my teachings. You have only sinned against yourself and your own conscience. You have hurt yourself and others with your ignorance and delusion. You have created your own karma and suffering. Only you can forgive yourself for that.”

He continued, “Forgiveness is not something that I can give you or take away from you. It is something that you have to find within yourself. It is a state of mind that arises when you realize the truth of your actions and their consequences. It is a process of healing and transformation that frees you from guilt and resentment. It is a gift that you give to yourself and others.”

He concluded, “Therefore, do not ask me for forgiveness, but ask yourself for forgiveness. Do not beg me for mercy, but show mercy to yourself and others. Do not seek my pardon, but pardon yourself and others. That is the way to true forgiveness.”

Enlightenment and Waiting

This story reveals how enlightenment is not a goal to be achieved, but a state of being to be realized.

One day, a man came to Buddha and asked him, “How long will it take me to attain enlightenment?”

Buddha answered, “It depends on how much effort you put into it.”

The man said, “If I put all my energy and dedication into it, how long will it take?”

Buddha said, “Maybe ten years.”

The man said, “That is too long. What if I double my effort and devotion? How long will it take then?”

Buddha said, “Maybe twenty years.”

The man said, “That is even longer. What if I triple my effort and devotion? How long will it take then?”

Buddha said, “Maybe thirty years.”

The man was puzzled and said, “But why does it take longer when I increase my effort and devotion? Shouldn’t it take shorter?”

Buddha smiled and said, “Because you are too focused on the result and not on the process. You are too eager to reach the destination and not enjoying the journey. You are too anxious to attain enlightenment and not living in the present moment.”

He continued, “Enlightenment is not something that you can achieve by striving or waiting. It is something that you can realize by being or awakening. It is not a goal that you can reach by doing or becoming. It is a state that you can discover by being or knowing. It is not a destination that you can arrive at by traveling or searching. It is a source that you can return to by resting or remembering.”

He concluded, “Therefore, do not ask me how long it will take to attain enlightenment, but ask me how-to live-in enlightenment. Do not seek enlightenment in the future, but find it in the present. Do not wait for enlightenment to happen, but make it happen.”

Conclusion

These are just some of the many inspiring stories from Lord Buddha that can teach us valuable lessons for life. They can help us to overcome our suffering, cultivate our wisdom, and awaken our compassion. They can guide us to live a better life with Buddha’s wisdom.