The Way Of The Buddha a timeless story - Buddha Stories
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Buddhist Story of King and Monk's Happiness - Buddha Story
A long time ago...
There was a high-class rich man as he became older he realized that the suffering of old age was about the same for rich and poor alike. So he gave up his wealth in class position and went into the forest to live as a poor monk.
Rick man practiced meditation and developed his mind he freed himself from unwholesome thoughts and became contented and happy his peacefulness and friendliness gradually drew 500 followers to his side at that time.
Long ago most monks usually looked pretty serious but there was one monk who even though he was quite dignified always were at least a little smile on his face no matter what happened he never lost this glimmer of inner happiness.
And on happy occasions he had the broadest smile and the warmest laughter of all sometimes monks as well as others would ask him
"Why he was so happy that he always wore a smile"
He chuckled and said
"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me and if you thought I spoke a lie it would be a dishonor to my master"
The wise old master knew the source of the happiness that could not be wiped from his face and so he made this happiest Munk his number-one assistant.
One year after the rainy season the old monk in his 500 followers went to the city the King permitted them to live in his pleasure garden for the springtime. This king was a good man who took his responsibilities as a ruler seriously he tried to protect the people from danger and increase their prosperity in welfare.
Also king always had to worry about neighboring kings some of whom were unfriendly and threatening he often had to make peace between his own rival ministers of state sometimes his wives fought for his attention and for the advancement of their sons occasionally.
A dissatisfied subject even threatened the life of the king himself and of course he had to worry constantly about the finances of the kingdom.
In fact he had so much to worry about that he never had time to be happy as summer approached he learned that the monks were preparing to return to the forest considering the health and the welfare of the old leader.
The king went to him and said
"Your reverence you are now very old and weak what good does it do to go back to the forest you can send your followers back but you remain here"
The chief monk thought about it and then called his number-one assistant to him and said
"You are now to be the leader of the other monks while you all live in the forest as I am too old and weak I will remain here as offered by the king."
So the 500 returned to the forest and the old one remained the number-one assistant continued practicing meditation in the forest he gained so much wisdom and peace that he became even happier than before he missed his old master and wanted to share his happiness with him.
And so he returned to the city for a visit when he arrived he sat on a rug at the feet of the old monk they didn't speak very much but every so often the number one assistant would say what happiness Oh what happiness then the King came to visit he paid his respects to the chief monk.
However the one from the forest just kept saying what happiness oh what happiness, he did not even stop to greet the king and show proper respect and this disturbed the King and he thought with all my worries as busy as I am looking after the kingdom.
I take our time for a visit and this monk does not respect me enough to even recognize me how insulting he said to the senior of the two monks venerable,
"Sir this monk must be stupid from overeating that must be why he's so full of happiness does he lie around here so lazy all the time"
The head monk replied
"Oh! King have patience and I will tell you the source of his happiness not many people know it he was once a king just as rich and mighty as you then he was ordained a monk and gave up his kingly life now he thinks his old happiness was nothing compared to his present joy. he used to be surrounded by armed men who guarded and protected him now sitting alone in the forest with nothing to fear.
He has no need for armed guards he has given up the burden of worrying about wealth that has to be protected instead free of the worry of health and the fear of power his wisdom protects himself and others he advances in meditation to such inner peace that he cannot keep from saying what happiness Oh what happiness."
The king understood at once hearing the story of the happy monk made him feel at peac, he stayed for a while and received advice from both of them.
Then he honored them and returned to the palace later the happy monk who once had been a king paid his respects to his master and returned to the lovely forest.
The old chief monk lift out the reminder of his life died and was reborn in a high heaven world you see in life if we stay unattached to wealth and power our happiness increases.
If we search for happiness in the outer world in everything that isn't within us already, we will never retain it, we will never find happiness because happiness is the way the way is within us and no material possessions can ever guide us to happiness as much as our inner happy self.
And our inner being those who hide behind wealth and power will never find happiness but if you are a master of your own fate a master of happiness you will find it even in the smallest of things in this world.