Increase Your Periphery

A story where Buddha uses the analogy of salt in water to teach the lesson of expanding one's perspective to overcome life's difficulties.

The Story

A man, disappointed with life, came to Buddha and expressed his frustration, asking if there was any solution to his problems. Buddha instructed the man to take a handful of salt and put it in a glass of water, then drink it. The man followed the instruction and immediately found the water to taste salty and awful.

Buddha's Lesson

Buddha then told the man to take another handful of salt and mix it in the water of the lake. After drinking from the lake, the man noticed that the water tasted sweet and refreshing. Buddha asked the man, "Did you taste the salt you had mixed?"

The Insight

The man replied, "No, I couldn't taste any salt." Buddha then asked, "Did you learn anything from this incident?"

Pearls of Wisdom

1. What was the message that Buddha was trying to give through this incident?

The Buddha was teaching the man that the pain, sorrows, and disappointments we face in life are like the salt. When we confine our problems to a small space, like a glass of water, they become overwhelming and unbearable. But when we broaden our perspective, like a vast lake, the same problems become less noticeable and easier to handle. To overcome difficulties, we must expand our periphery.

The Moral of the Story

2. What is the moral of this story?

The moral of this story is that expanding our perspective or "periphery" allows us to cope with life's challenges more easily. By seeing the bigger picture, we realize that problems that once seemed insurmountable are actually much more manageable. It teaches us the importance of maintaining a broader outlook on life.

🌟 **Moral**: Expanding your periphery, or perspective, allows you to better deal with the challenges and difficulties in life.

Disclaimer: This story reflects Buddha's teachings on how shifting your perspective can help alleviate pain and suffering in life.