They
are not yours
The Buddha once came to propagate in the city where the father of Yasodhara was chieftain. As the Buddha had deserted Yasodhara to learn the Way, her father hated the Buddha for it. He ruthlessly blocked the Buddha's path on his round of alms in the city to obstruct the Buddha's begging. In abusive language, he said to the Buddha:" Aren't you ashamed to come to my city for your alms? I am going to order all my citizens to ignore you.You have abandoned your country, your father and your wife to cultivate in madness. Although there is plentiful store of food in my city, it cannot be given to someone who disregards his country, his father and his wife. I order you to leave this place at once!"
The Buddha was not at all angry at his behaviour, but only explained in kindly manner:" Please do not condemn me. From what you have said, I know there is some misunderstanding. My renunciation to search for the Way does not amount to abandonment of my country, my father and my wife. In fact, I have assumed the world as my country and all sentient beings as my family. I have accomplished all the merits and wisdom of the Awakened One. The universe and I are one, and my compassion pervades everywhere. As chieftain of this place, you should love and care for your people; and as Buddha of this world, I have to look after all sentient beings. I can appreciate your reasons for attachment to personal love, but in the face of the Truth as represented by the Buddha, you should discard these reasons. Just think clearly and carefully, and you will realise that the city is not actually yours, nor is the store of food for your own use. What you really own are the deeds of good and evil. The citizens and food supply will eventually be gone, but your actions and the karma they effect will always be following you close behind."
Yasodhara's father was not awakened by these words of the Buddha. Although his rudeness had been completely accomodated by the Buddha's compassion, the karma he generated could not escape the law of cause and effect.
He met his sudden death within seven days of this incident.
