When the Goddess Repents: Do Not Measure the Buddha's Teachings by Luck

If you follow the path of the Buddha and your business fails, do you think that the Buddha does not protect you? If people mock you for living gently and yielding, do you consider yourself a fool? The story of the repentant goddess in the Dhammapada offers a completely different perspective on the fortunes and misfortunes we encounter on our spiritual journey.

### The Story of the Goddess and Anathapindika

This tale concerns Anathapindika, the wealthiest man in Savatthi and an outstanding lay disciple of the Buddha. After meeting the Buddha, he attained the stage of Stream-Entry. His mind became entirely altruistic, and he delighted in making offerings. He used his wealth to build the Jetavana monastery, help the poor, and support the Sangha. Consequently, his assets diminished rapidly. Borrowers did not repay their debts, and a buried treasure near the riverbank was washed away by landslides.

A goddess residing at his gate had long been annoyed because she had to leave whenever the Buddha came to receive meals, due to the power of his presence. Seeing him grow poorer, she advised him to stop following the Buddha. One night, she appeared and said, "You follow the Buddha, yet your wealth is dwindling. You see no good fortune. Stop making offerings, or you will fall into poverty."

Anathapindika replied sternly, "Your words are wrong, offensive, and sinful. From now on, I will not let you stay here. Leave." The goddess was expelled from the house, wandering miserably with her child. She sought refuge from various deities, including the guardian spirit of Savatthi and the gods of the Four Great Kings, but all refused coldly, saying, "You have offended the Buddha; we cannot help you."

Eventually, through the compassion of Sakka, King of the Devas, she was shown how to make amends: she must help restore Anathapindika’s wealth. Using her divine powers, she prompted debtors to repay their loans and even recovered the gold pots lost to the flood. Within months, Anathapindika’s fortune was fully restored. Then, the goddess appeared, kneeling at his feet to sincerely practice repentance and asking to be led to the Buddha to atone for her mistake.

### Do Not Measure the Buddha's Teachings by Luck

Many people, like the goddess initially, might look only at Anathapindika’s material decline and conclude that following the Buddha brings bad luck. Teacher Chan Quang clarifies that this is a trap causing confusion for many Buddhists. He explains that if we do not attain enlightenment immediately, we become anxious. We use the luck or misfortune in our lives to judge the Buddha's teachings. This is unfair to the Dharma. Our luck or misfortune is simply our own karma. Yet, we use these personal circumstances to measure the truth of the teachings.

We often praise the Buddha as "miraculous" when things go well, but claim he is "not effective" when things go badly. This is incorrect because outcomes in life are determined by each person's karma, not merely by whether one visits a temple. Consider this: if you steal and get caught by the police, would you blame the Buddha? Or if you work hard and honestly but still suffer losses, would you think the Buddha has abandoned you? The Buddha taught that karmic results follow actions, not desires. Do not let immediate events shake your faith.

### Signs of an Enlightened Mind

In his teaching, Teacher Chan Quang emphasizes that Anathapindika had attained the stage of Stream-Entry. Therefore, he possessed specific qualities we can examine within ourselves. First, he had complete reverence for the Three Jewels: placing absolute trust in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, without wavering despite any difficulty. Second, he delighted in making offerings. He was never stingy or selfish. A Stream-Enterer has hands always open, ready to give. Third, he lived altruistically, prioritizing the happiness of others over his own benefit.

If you feel you possess these signs, rejoice, for they are seeds of enlightenment. But if you do not yet, do not worry. Practice them day by day.

### The Wisdom of the Fool

When we follow the Buddha, we no longer indulge as before. We do not compete or covet. We help others even when we are not wealthy ourselves, accepting disadvantage to yield to others. People around us easily mock us as "fools" or "idiots." Teacher Chan Quang states plainly that the strongest wrong view among worldly people is believing that "anyone who is kind is stupid." In reality, many kind people are incredibly wise. Those who chase fame and profit in life often become increasingly manipulative and cruel.

As Buddhists, do not fear being called foolish. The fool in the eyes of the world is wise in the eyes of the Buddha, because they are accumulating merit for future glory. Sometimes we accept being labeled fools, but one day, when wholesome fruits ripen, others will realize you were right.

### When Karma Ripens: Glory Will Appear

The verse from Dhammapada 41, which the Buddha taught to the goddess, reveals a solid truth. It says that evil-doers think their actions are good while their karma has not yet ripened. Only when it ripens do they realize their error. Similarly, good people may be criticized while their positive results have not yet matured. Only when wholesome fruits ripen do others recognize their worthiness.

The goddess saw Anathapindika growing poorer and assumed it was bad. She also thought her advice was correct. But when karma ripened, she realized her mistake. Good people like Anathapindika are mocked when results are not yet visible, but when good fruit arrives, everyone admires and respects them. This is the unchanging law of cause and effect (karmic law).

Through this story, keep your faith steady in your heart. Do not let temporary fluctuations in life discourage you from walking the path of the Buddha. Live kindly, altruistically, and joyfully in making offerings and giving, in accordance with the right Dharma. Ignore the mockery of the world, remembering that this is simply because the fruit has not yet ripened. At the appropriate time, you will shine, bringing benefit to many. Walk confidently, for the eyes of the world cannot fully see the merit of those who practice.