TZU CHI USA JOURNAL

There is a simple story about a man who lived next to a large pig pen that belonged to his neighbor. In the pen was a newly born piglet. Every time the man passed by, the piglet would look at him with an angry expression, as if ready to attack him. This would always frighten the man, so he would run past. But since the pig pen was on the path he had to take every day, he always checked to see if the pig was sleeping when he went out, for fear of seeing the angry expression on the pig’s face.

One day, the man thought to himself, “Exactly what kind of animosity is there between this pig and me? Every time I pass by, it is always so unfriendly and stops me in my tracks.” An evil thought arose in his mind: “Fine! I’ll buy this pig and have it slaughtered so that I can enjoy a big meal!”

Indeed, he spent a lot of money and bought this pig. However, once he made the purchase, his mindset changed. “The Buddha Dharma talks about cause and effect. Every thought that we give rise to creates karma. The Buddha said, ‘As are the causes and conditions, so are the effects and retributions.’ Perhaps I formed a negative affinity with this pig in the past, which is why our relationship is so poor now. Animosity should be resolved instead of formed. I guess I should set it free instead!” 

With that, he sent the pig to live in a sanctuary at a nearby temple. After a few months, the man went to the sanctuary to see the hog. The pig treated the man as his savior, circling him all around to express its gratitude! The old man was very touched and said, “Thank goodness I was able to eliminate my evil thought of hatred and vengeance and give rise to a virtuous thought instead. This enabled us to untie the knot of animosity.”

This story is very easy to understand, but it is full of deep principles. If an afflicted person can readily give rise to a mindset of understanding and acceptance, thus transforming evil into goodness, then they are creating blessings! There are so many things in this world that result in regrets due to temporary deviations in our minds. We must not accumulate afflictions within our minds; they should also disappear with each passing day. This is called “eliminating afflictions.” 

If we allow time to idly pass us by, yet continue to accumulate afflictions, they will become karmic obstacles. If we remain upset whenever we encounter adverse conditions, that is simply a waste of time! Time passes by so easily, yet spiritual cultivation takes time to accomplish. If we want things to always go as we wish, the only method is to seize our time by improving ourselves and giving of ourselves readily. Only then can we advance ever further!