The Gift

                          

                                                       Do not let others control the key of your inner peace.

One day, the Buddha and a large following of monks and nuns were passing through a village. The Buddha chose a large shade tree to sit beneath so the group could rest awhile out of the heat. He often chose times like these to teach, and so he began to speak. Soon, villagers heard about the visiting teacher and many gathered around to hear him.

One surly young man stood to the side, watching, as the crowd grew larger and larger. To him, it seemed that there were too many people travelling from the city to his village, and each had something to sell or teach. Impatient with the bulging crowd of monks and villagers, he shouted at the Buddha, "Go away! You just want to take advantage of us! You, teachers, come here to say a few pretty words and then ask for food and money!"

But the Buddha was unruffled by these insults. He remained calm, exuding a feeling of loving-kindness. He politely requested that the man come forward. Then he asked, "Young sir if you purchased a lovely gift for someone, but that person did not accept the gift, to whom does the gift then belong?"

The odd question took the young man by surprise. "I guess the gift would still be mine because I was the one who bought it."

"Exactly so," replied the Buddha. "Now, you have just cursed me and been angry with me. But if I do not accept your curses if I do not get insulted and angry in return, these courses will fall back upon you—the same as the gift returning to its owner."

The moral of the story: You should not let anyone snatch your inner peace. Being calm during an argument take efforts but will save you from many disturbing situations. If we do not take charge of themselves will be distracted by something or other. You can not force others to change; however, you have control on how to respond. You are only responsible for your own behaviour that will save us from unnecessary suffering. Next time when you face then ask yourself; is it worthy enough for your attention? Because anything which cost you your inner peace is too expensive.

Ranjana Agrawal 🙇

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