Everybody wants to live a happy life in this material world. It is obvious that people think they could be happy when they become wealthy. But, wealth can’t buy happiness. Kin Hubbard had once said – It is pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness since poverty and wealth have both failed. Let’s look into the following story.
One fine summer evening, Lord Buddha was giving a discourse near a peaceful village. He was listening to the problems of villagers quietly and providing his suggestion in a noble way. There was a meager man among the villagers who thought to ask to Buddha why he was so poor. So, he remained in a queue and finally his turn came. At first, he bowed to Lord Buddha then put forward his question – Lord, why am I so poor? In return, Lord Buddha replied with a gentle smile – You never gave anything to anybody that is why you are poor.
Month-long fair begins in Chovar hill in Kathmandu
The poor man was so surprised to hear such an answer and thus, he asked again to the Buddha – “There should be something to give away. I don’t have anything I manage to have two square meal everyday with much difficulty!” Listening to it, Buddha in his nobility replied – “you have got a nice face, you can give a smile to anybody. You also possess a mouth you can praise somebody. You have got two hands which you can use to help anyone in need. You have all these things, so, how are you poor? The poverty is in your mind. Wipe out this illusion from your mind and your poverty will be eliminated automatically.”
After listening to the Buddha’s delightful sermon, he went back to his home feeling energetic. His poverty was reduced instantly while hearing the Buddha’s words. The poor man never felt poor after this incident in his life. He lived a very happy life and his remaining days passed in a pleasant way.
From this fable, we can easily understand that actually poverty remains in our minds. It is an illusion and we can be happier if we try to wipe out such deception from our mind. All in all, we can at least agree with Epictetus’ saying that wealth consists not in having at least possessions, but in having few wants.
