A woman buries a treasure in a deep pit, thinking: "It will be useful
in time of need, or if the king is displeased with me, or if I am robbed or fall
into debit, or if food is scarce, or bad luck befalls me." But all this treasure
may not profit the owner at all, for she may forget where she has hidden it, or
goblins may steal it, or her enemies or even her kinsmen may take it when she
is careless. But by charity, goodness, restraint, and self-control, man and woman
alike can store up a well-hidden treasure - a treasure which cannot be given to
others and which robbers cannot steal. A wise person should do good - that is
the treasure which will not leave one.
The Buddha said: "If outsiders speak against me, the Teaching, or the Order,
you should not be angry, for that would prevent your own self-conquest. Similar-
ly, if they praise us. But you should find out what is false or true, and acknowledge
the fact. And even in praise it is only of trifling matters that an unconverted
man might speak of me."
At one time Shakyamuni Buddha was staying in the town of Kosambi. In this town
there was one who resented Him and who bribed wicked men to circulate false stories
about Him. Under these circumstances it was difficult for His disciples to get
sufficient food from their begging, and there was much abuse. Ananda said to Shakyamuni
Buddha, "We had better not stay in a town like this. There are other and
better towns to go to. We had better leave this town." The Blessed One replied,
"Suppose the next town is like this one, what shall we do then?" "Then
we move to another." . The Blessed One said, "No, Ananda, there will
be no end in that way. We had better remain here and bear the abuse patiently
until it ceases and then move to another place. There are profit and loss, slander
and honor, praise and blame, pain and pleasure in the world; the Enlightened One
is not controlled by these external things, they will cease as quickly as they
come."
