Be the master of our mind
Teachings from a story of Lord Buddha
Once Lord Buddha was collecting food from one house to another. An angry man came running towards him and spat on Lord Buddha’s face. Without losing his peace and compassion, Lord Buddha calmly asked, “My dear, do you wish to say anything else?”
Seeing the stable mind of Lord Buddha the man was moved. The man really regretted his actions. The next day, Lord Buddha was collecting food from the same houses when the man came running and fell at his feet. He kept crying at Lord Buddha’s feet. Once again, Lord Buddha said, “my dear, do you wish to say anything else?”
The man replied, “Why do you not say anything? Please say something.”
Lord Buddha said, “You have come to say something. I am the listener and observer. Yesterday you came to say something but couldn’t, hence you conveyed your message by spitting on me. Even today, you wanted to say something but expressed your love through your tears.” Saying this, Lord Buddha walked away.
What does this teach us?
Our mind is very unsteady. We get angry, sad and happy depending on someone else’s actions. If this is the case, then we are a toy and our key is in other people’s hands. Why should we hand over our emotion’s key to others?
Lord Krishna also says in the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 12, Verse 18-19):
"One who is alike to friend and foe, in honour and dishonour, in cold and heat, in joy and sorrow, without attachment, to whom praise and insult are same, has control over what one speaks, is silent, satisfied with anything, doesn’t care for any residence, with an unwavering mind, is dear to me".
Let us be the master of our own mind and not let our mind be the servant of others.
Happy Buddha Jayanti to you all!
Seva mein samarpit,
Sandipani Vidyaniketan
contactus@sandipani.org