The way of Buddha

Here’s a question for you. Have you been tricked? If so, do you wish that it never happened? Well, I don’t regret being tricked, and you’re going to learn as to why right now. To start this story, let's go back to when I was on the silk road. Since my parents abandoned me, and I had to grow up on my own. When I was around 20 years old, I bought a horse to start my journey along the Silk Road. The first trader I came across wore a robe as blue as the sky. He was selling rugs adorned with patterns that looked as beautiful as a butterfly's wings. I decided to buy some, but I only had the ragged cloths on my back, my horse, and a cart filled with my drinking water. Then I got an idea, and that idea was to steal one of the rugs. So then I put my plan into action.

“Hey”, I said,“Would you like to trade?”

“Well, what do you have to trade with?” he said notably.

“I have some drinking water.”

“Ok, which one would you like to buy?”

Then I exclaimed, “Look out! There are bandits behind you!”

“Really!?” he said as he turned around.

I then grabbed a random carpet and ran away. After an hour or two, I had found my next “customer”. He looked like someone from Rome since he was carrying some crystal-clear glassware. So I decided to trade with him.

“Hello, would you like to do some trading?” I said with a cheerful attitude.

“Well, what’s for sale?” he said with an eyebrow raised.

“I got this carpet.”

“Eh, don’t need it.”

Then, with an angry face, I punched and knocked him out.

So basically, I scammed every trader I met until I met this man with orange robes. Naturally, I asked him, ”Would you like to trade?”

The guy answered, “No thank you, because I have the greatest treasure of all.”

Curious, I asked, ”Well, what is it?”

”I will not tell you unless you will join me on this quest,” he said with a respectful voice.

“What kind of quest?” I questioned.

“You will see,” he answered, smiling.

While we were walking we had passed a village where on one side there was a ocean with the reflection of the boats floating on it and on the other side a wall. In front of that wall was a plain with bright green grass, trees that were as beautiful as a Sacred Lotus Flower. We were walking through the village and found a family seemed sad. I asked them why they were crying. The son responded, “Because my father just died recently.”

Then I said, “Oh, well I’m sorry for your loss...here,” while I gave them some of the stuff I stole.

“Thanks,” said the son.

Then, I saw someone steal some glassware from the same roman guy I “traded” with. I decided to follow the guy who stole the roman guy’s glassware and I did. I then gave it back to the roman guy because I decided I didn’t need anymore.

We then continued on until we came to a mountain. I asked, “We have to go up there?”

“Yes, we do. Our destination is up there,” he said while pointing to the top of the mountain.

“But why?” I whined.

“You want the treasure don’t you?” he asked.

“Yes, but..”

“Ok then, let’s go.”

“Fine,” I moaned.

After the journey to the top, in front of us was a building as white as snow, covered with red stripes and hints of gold. I asked with amazement, “Is this our destination?”

He responded, “Yes, yes it is.”

Upon entering, we saw a giant shrine. This shrine housed a gold statue, flowers, and what looked like a sunset behind a hill.

“So, we made it. Now what?” I asked.

“To get the treasure I’ve been talking about you must do this...” he said while sitting down.

“Do what?”

“You must meditate with me.”

“Ok,” I said while sitting down.

We meditated for a while and then he asked me if I was greedy or angry at all.

“No, I’ve never been greedy or angry at all,” I lied.

“I can tell you’re lying,” he said solemnly.

“How do you know?” I said surprised.

“It’s in your voice,” he answered.

“Ok, you got me. I only agreed because you said that you had the greatest treasure of them all. But on this journey I have truly changed, so don’t think less of me please.”

“It’s ok. Now to get the greatest gift in the world, you must take these vows. Here are the vows you must take,” he said while handing me a piece of paper.

I read the vows out loud.

“Beginnings are numberless; I vow to save them.

Delusions are never-ending; I vow to end them.

Dharma gates are boundless; I vow to enter them.

Buddha’s Way is significant; I vow to become it.”

He then said with a happy attitude, “Congratulations, as long as you follow these vows, you will have the greatest treasure of them all.”

“Awesome!” I exclaimed, “So, what is it?”

“Why, it’s been in you all along. The treasure is helping others.”

I was speechless, but then I realized he was right. After understanding this concept and accepting its meaning, I decided I wanted others to acquire this wonderful treasure. Now I spend my days traveling the world and teaching Buddhism to whomever I meet.