The Spider in the Guanyin Temple
In front of the Guanyin Temple, countless people came daily to burn incense and worship Buddha, filling the air with thick smoke. A spider spun its web on the temple’s beam, enveloped every day in the fragrant smoke and the prayers of the devotees. Over time, it developed a spiritual connection to Buddhism. After a thousand years of cultivation, the spider attained wisdom.
One day, the Buddha happened to visit the temple. He was pleased to see the temple filled with incense smoke. As he was leaving, he casually looked up and saw the spider on the beam.
The Buddha paused and asked the spider, “It seems we are destined to meet. Let me ask you a question to see if your thousand years of cultivation have granted you true wisdom. Will you answer?”
The spider was overjoyed to see the Buddha and eagerly agreed.
The Buddha asked, “What is the most precious thing in this world?”
The spider pondered for a while and then replied, “The most precious things in the world are what one cannot obtain and what has been lost.”
The Buddha nodded and left.
Another thousand years passed. The spider remained on the temple beam, continuing its cultivation, and its spiritual understanding deepened.
One day, the Buddha returned and asked, “Do you remember the question I asked you a thousand years ago? Have you gained a deeper understanding of it?”
The spider responded, “I still believe the most precious things in this world are what one cannot obtain and what has been lost.”
The Buddha said, “Keep thinking. I will return again.”
Yet another thousand years passed. One day, a strong wind blew a dewdrop onto the spider’s web. The dewdrop was crystal clear, shimmering beautifully in the sunlight. The spider found itself deeply captivated by its beauty. Each day, looking at the dewdrop brought it joy—it was the happiest it had been in three thousand years.
But suddenly, the wind rose again and carried the dewdrop away. The spider was overcome with a sense of loss, loneliness, and pain.
At that moment, the Buddha arrived and asked, “Spider, another thousand years have passed. Have you reconsidered? What is the most precious thing in this world?”
The spider thought about the dewdrop and replied, “The most precious things in this world are what one cannot obtain and what has been lost.”
The Buddha smiled and said, “Very well. Since you have reached this realization, I will grant you a human life.”
Thus, the spider was reincarnated into a prestigious family as a noble young lady named Zhou Ni.
In the blink of an eye, Zhou Ni grew into a graceful and beautiful sixteen-year-old. That year, a scholar named Cam Loc won the imperial examination, and the emperor hosted a grand banquet in celebration. Many noblewomen attended, including Zhou Ni and Princess Truong Phong.
Cam Loc displayed his literary talent at the banquet, impressing all the young ladies. But Zhou Ni remained calm and untroubled because she believed he was the destined one sent to her by the Buddha.
A few days later, by chance, Zhou Ni accompanied her mother to the temple to worship. At the same time, Cam Loc also visited with his mother. After offering incense, their mothers engaged in conversation, while Zhou Ni and Cam Loc strolled through the temple corridors. Zhou Ni was delighted to finally be close to the man she loved, yet Cam Loc seemed distant and polite.
Zhou Ni asked, “Do you remember what happened sixteen years ago—the spider on the beam of the Guanyin Temple?”
Cam Loc was startled and replied, “Miss Zhou Ni, you are beautiful and admired by many. Perhaps your imagination is too vivid.” Then he left with his mother.
Zhou Ni was heartbroken. If the Buddha had arranged this destined encounter, why had he not allowed Cam Loc to remember? Why did Cam Loc show no affection for her?
A few days later, the emperor issued a decree: Cam Loc was to marry Princess Truong Phong, while Zhou Ni was to be betrothed to Crown Prince Chi Thu. The news struck like thunder from a clear sky. Zhou Ni could not understand why the Buddha had been so cruel to her.
Devastated, she stopped eating and lay in despair. After a few days, her soul began to drift away from her body, and her life hung by a thread.
Hearing of her condition, Crown Prince Chi Thu rushed to her side and knelt beside her bed. He said, “At the banquet in the imperial garden, the moment I saw you, I fell in love. I begged my father to grant me your hand in marriage. If you die, what is the point of my life?” Saying this, he drew his sword, ready to take his own life.
At that moment, the Buddha appeared. He spoke to Zhou Ni’s departing soul, “Spider, have you ever considered who brought that dewdrop (Cam Loc) to you? It was the wind (Truong Phong). The wind brought it, and the wind took it away. Cam Loc belongs to Princess Truong Phong—he was only a fleeting part of your life.
But Crown Prince Chi Thu is the little tree in front of the Guanyin Temple. He watched you for three thousand years, loved you for three thousand years, yet you never once looked down at him. Spider, let me ask you one last time: What is the most precious thing in this world?”
Realizing the truth, Zhou Ni awakened and said to the Buddha:
“The most precious thing in this world is not what one cannot obtain or what has been lost, but the happiness that one holds in the present.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the Buddha disappeared. Zhou Ni’s soul returned to her body, and she opened her eyes. Seeing Crown Prince Chi Thu about to take his own life, she quickly reached out and stopped him…
“The most precious thing in this world is not what one cannot obtain or what has been lost, but the happiness that one holds in the present.”
Throughout life, we will meet thousands of people.
To love someone does not require effort—only fate is needed.
But to continue loving someone requires effort.
Love is like a thread connecting two people. If one pulls too hard or lets go, the love will either become strained or fall slack.
When searching for the person on the other end of the thread, consider carefully. Are you holding too many threads? Are you constantly searching for something new? Or has a past heartbreak made you lose the courage to seek love again?
Regardless of the situation, when a thread breaks, you only lose someone who does not love you.
But they lose someone who truly loved them.
Losing someone who never cherished you—why should that be sorrowful?
Because you still have the chance to meet someone who sees your worth.
The Law of Cause and Effect
I. Definition:
- "Cause" is the primary factor that generates an outcome.
- "Condition" is the supporting factor that allows the cause to bring forth an effect.
- Everything in the universe arises due to the interplay of causes and conditions. When these factors dissipate, the phenomena cease to exist.
II. Example:
- A bean is the cause. For it to sprout, it requires conditions like soil, water, air, and sunlight. When these elements come together, the bean grows, flowers, and bears fruit.
III. Understanding Cause and Effect:
- All things arise from causes and conditions, not by chance.
- The nature of an outcome depends on the conditions present.
- When the necessary conditions are absent, an outcome cannot manifest.
IV. Application:
- Understanding cause and effect helps us navigate life wisely.
- It teaches us that good or bad outcomes arise from our own actions.
- By cultivating good causes and conditions, we shape a life of peace and fulfillment.
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