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Transforming

Karmic Connections

Dharma Master Cheng Yen
Translated by the Dharma as Water Editorial Team

hen we learn the Buddha's Way, we shelter in your home for the night?"
must have a clear goal. Every day and This door opened slightly to reveal a
Wevery moment, we head toward this servant standing in the lit doorway. "Old man,
goal, never turning away from this path. The you should leave here quickly. The master
road that we walk and the things that we must of this house is not fond of the Sangha. He
do are inseparable from our interactions with often says that he does not care for monks or
other people. So, walking the Bodhisattva-path spiritual practitioners, so I am sure that he will
among people is the true spirit of learning the not offer you shelter."
Buddha's Way.
Looking over his shoulder, the old monk
We normally think, "The people that I could see that the rain had begun falling even
should help are those I have good karmic harder, so he implored the doorkeeper to go
connections with." Of course, the Buddha also back inside and ask for his master's consent.
said, "Buddhas transform those They have good After a long time, the servant returned and, in
karmic connections with." But if we do not have a stern voice, said, "I am sorry. I spoke to my
good karmic connections with people, does master, but he absolutely refuses. He instructed
that mean we shouldn't help them? Not at all. me to tell you that you must leave right away."
If we have negative karmic connections with
them, then we must find a way to draw near Disheartened, the old monk was at a loss
them and create good karmic connections for what to do next. As he could come up
with them, thus transforming their animosity with no other solution, he asked, "Would it be
toward us into gratitude. alright, then, if I just stand here beneath the
eaves until the rain has let up?"
This is not impossible. A very long time
ago, there was an elderly monk who one day The servant replied, "It's best that you do
left his temple to go into the city. By the time not. My master feels negatively toward the
he was ready to make his way home, it was Sangha and wants nothing whatsoever to do
nearly dark. As he left the outer gates of the with any of the Buddha's disciples. Please just
city, the sky suddenly filled with the sound of continue on your way."
thunder and a flash of lightning. A heavy rain Since even huddling under the eaves had
began to fall. been refused to him, the monk had no choice
Through the pouring rain, the monk but to continue on. He walked through the
spotted a house in the distance. With a sense pouring rain until he finally arrived back at his
of relief, he made his way to the front door. temple in the middle of the night.
Standing beneath the eaves, he knocked on Three years later, the master of that grand
the door and called out in a loud voice, “It is house took a new concubine. He adored her
raining very hard. I am a monk far from home; greatly and would do anything for her. This
would you be so kind as to allow me to take new concubine was very kind and made a

4 4 TZU CHI USA SUMMER 2015