The Right Path to Happiness

84. The Right Path to Happiness

A story from the life of Buddha that teaches the true path to happiness.

Introduction

While on his travels, Buddha met an ascetic who was doing penance while standing all the while. Buddha asked him, "Holy Sir, will you please tell me why you are troubling your body so much?"

Transformation

The ascetic said, "I am doing these austerities so that the sins of my past births may be destroyed; no new sins shall be committed by me in this birth and finally, I will be rid of all my sorrows."

Buddha asked him, "Do you know who you were in your last birth?" The ascetic said, "No."

"Do you know what sins you had committed in your last births?"

"No," replied the ascetic.

"Can you tell me how many of your sins and sorrows have been destroyed and how many remain?"

"No. I can't tell you that."

The Divine Blessing

Buddha said, "If you do not know the answer to these questions, aren't all your penances and austerities a waste?"

Pearls of Wisdom

Try to answer these questions yourself before checking the answers below.

1. What did Buddha say?

Buddha said, "If you do not know the answer to these questions, aren't all your penances and austerities a waste?"

2. What is the moral of this story?

To ensure that we do not commit sins in the future, introspection is necessary. Introspection helps us to see our mistakes and make us aware so we don't repeat them. This awareness comes not from penance, but from solitude and self-reflection — the true path to enlightenment.

🌟 True happiness lies in inner reflection and self-awareness — not in outward penance. 🌟

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