Once, Buddha was invited by a king, and welcomed grandly.
The feast lasted until nightfall, and Buddha's path home fell dark.
The king extravagantly placed torches along the entire path, but a single gale blew them all out.
Despite this, one faint light still illuminated Buddha's path.
It was one of a poor old man who couldn't prepare a gift, whose social status would not allow him to attend the feast...
It was a gift made from the bottom of the beggar's heart.
It's true that admiration, and many desires are what makes life interesting.
But it is that one sincere deed that no one notices, which brings happiness to life.
The king once invited a man who had reached enlightenment to a lavish party.
It continued into the night, and the man's path home slipped into darkness.
The king, rich as he was, decorated this path with lamps,
but with one strong gust of wind, the lights he had prepared all went out.
Despite this, one faint light still illuminated the enlightened man's way.
It was the heartfelt gift of a poor old man,
who could not afford even one offering,
and whose low social status prevented him from admission to the party.
—Receiving much praise and admiration
certainly can add flavor to life.
But I consider myself blessed
to have known this one quiet act of devotion.
Bond Level 10 of Karna.
Karna
