September 4th, 2011, 5:00 pm from Timothy Dukes
“There’s an old story about a farmer who went to the Buddha seeking help for his problems. Either droughts or monsoons make his work difficult, he complained. What’s more, he grumbled, even though he loved his wife, there were certain things about her he wanted to change. Likewise his children – yes, he loved them, but they weren’t turning out quite the way he wanted.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t help you, “the Buddha told the farmer.
“What do you mean?” railed the farmer. “You’re supposed to be a great teacher!”
All human beings have 83 problems,” the Buddha replied. “A few problems may go away, but soon enough others will arise. So we’ll always have 83 problems.”
The farmer asked indignantly, “Then what’s the good of all your teaching?”
The Buddha answered, “My teaching can’t help with the 83 problems, but perhaps with the 84th problem.”
“What’s that?” asked the farmer.
“The 84th problem is that we don’t want to have any problems.”
Bayda, Ezra (May/June, 2002). Facing you monsters. Body and Soul, p. 44, 46, 48.
Are the situations that present themselves in our everyday life meant to be challenges or inspirations? If you were the farmer who complained to the Buddha about his crops, his wife and his children, you would soon learn that it is only by truly understanding the solution to the 84th problem that one can rest harmoniously in life.
Although any problem can present as an obstacle, impediment, difficulty, or challenge, its ultimate gain is the manner and method in which one rises to inspire resolution. If we were to change the word “problems” to “teachings,” and if we were to take delight in their daily offerings, we could actually greet the day in hopes of seeing ourselves inspired.
Are the situations that present themselves in our everyday life meant to be challenges or inspirations? If you were the farmer who complained to the Buddha about his crops, his wife and his children, you would soon learn that it is only by truly understanding the solution to the 84th problem that one can rest harmoniously in life.
Although any problem can present as an obstacle, impediment, difficulty, or challenge, its ultimate gain is the manner and method in which one rises to inspire resolution. If we were to change the word “problems” to “teachings,” and if we were to take delight in their daily offerings, we could actually greet the day in hopes of seeing ourselves inspired.
