Whoever is responsible

will reap the fruits.

One time when the Buddha was in Sravasti, the body of a young woman who had been murdered was found buried on the monastery grounds. As rumors flew, townspeople began to question, even heckle, the monks on their rounds. The monks went to the Buddha for guidance.

He instructed them not to feel ashamed, that false accusations can occur at any time and will gradually fade. If people continued to question the monks, they were to respond that those responsible would reap the fruits.

Several days later, officials caught the murderers. Not only were the monastics exonerated, but the Buddha requested clemency for the guilty men. The Buddha’s responses throughout the incident were not to offer defenses but to remain calm and to continue teaching. Not to react in an agitated or vengeful manner but to understand that such fatal actions were due to hatred and jealousy.

We too need to understand the cause. And the results. And not worsen our own.

From Rage to Forgiveness: What Lies Between (Part Sixteen)

The Western Pure Land: a land not just of beauty

but also of profound symbolism.

The Buddha spoke of a wondrous Pure Land for the benefit of future beings. But he knew this land would be beyond our ability to grasp.

And so the Buddha used imagery to help us—ground of gold, trees of jewels, birds singing the Dharma. He knew that wise masters would learn and practice the teachings, and over time they would explain the teachings to their students.

The masters would point out how the golden ground symbolizes purity, unlike ours made of dirt. And how the precious jewels aren’t like the jewels here that trigger our greed. In that land, they symbolize the four qualities of enlightenment: permanence, joy, true self, and purity.

Also, how the company of compassionate, caring bodhisattvas means that no longer will we be in the company of people who trigger our anger. 

So, like those masters, to truly appreciate and deeply believe the teachings, we too need to study and practice them.