conditional kindness

GODDESS OF WEALTH AND GODDESS OF POVERTY

Once a beautiful and welldressed woman visited a house. The master of the house asked who she was; and she replied that she was the goddess of wealth. The master of the house was delighted and so greeted her with open arms.

Soon after another woman appeared who was ugly looking and poorly dressed. The master of the house asked who she was; and she replied that she was the goddess of poverty. The master was frightened and tried to drive her out of the house. The woman refused to depart saying, “the goddess of wealth is my sister. There is an agreement between us that we are never to live apart; if you chase me out, she is to go with me.”

Sure enough, as soon as the ugly woman went out, the other woman disappeared.

Birth goes with the death. Fortune goes with misfortune. Bad things follow good things. Everyone should realize this. Foolish people dread misfortune and strive after good fortune, but those who seek enlightenment must transcend both of them and be free of worldly attachment.

Source: Bhutan Observer, January 11, 2013

Reflection:

The master of the house practices “samsara”; not “dharma”.

His hospitality for the woman is “conditional”;not “kindness”.

The phenomenon of impermanence is forgotten by the master.