Tears More Than the Ocean: A Story from the Mountain Peak

Have you ever wondered? If we gathered all the tears shed by sentient beings across countless lifetimes, would they exceed the water in the great ocean? This question, which seems like mere imagination, was answered by a novice monk named Tissa with words that even the Buddha praised. But before hearing his answer, let us walk through his journey together.

## Novice Monk Tissa: From Poverty to Holiness

The story begins with a poor Brahmin who was a friend of the elder Sariputta. Ashamed of his poverty, he secretly went to listen to the Dharma. He carefully saved every grain of rice and piece of cloth to make offerings to his respected teacher. His offering was the most delicious mixed porridge of his life and the finest fabric he could buy. With this sincere heart, he was reborn into a wealthy family as the young novice Tissa.

Fortunately, Tissa ordained from a young age and possessed subtle spiritual qualities. Wherever he went, people loved him and made offerings. However, when cherished by relatives and devotees, he realized that this affection had become an attachment. Therefore, he asked his teacher for permission to retreat to a distant forest to seek true peace.

## Sentient Beings' Tears Are More Than Seawater

One day, the Buddha led the Sangha to visit him. After receiving food, the Buddha took Tissa to a high mountain peak and asked, "What do you see?" Looking out into the distance, Tissa replied:

"When I see the sea, I understand that the tears of sentient beings are more than the water of the ocean."

This may sound like exaggeration, but think deeply. The ocean has limits, yet the tears of sentient beings in samsara (cycle of rebirth) are endless. Every lifetime, every pain, and every loss is a tear. We imagine life is joyful, but its nature is suffering (dukkha), merely covered by fleeting pleasures. Hearing the teachings on suffering within the Four Noble Truths, many finally realize that life is indeed full of suffering.

We often compare ourselves to building castles on sand, striving for fame and profit. Yet the waves of impermanence (anicca) will eventually wash everything away. The tears of sentient beings never stop falling due to ignorance and mistakes carried from one life to another.

## There Is No Place Without the Bodies of Sentient Beings

The Buddha asked again, "When you see the vast earth, what do you think?" Tissa replied:

"When I see the vast earth, I understand that there is no place where the buried bodies of sentient beings have not existed."

This land, whether city or forest, sacred temple ground or riverbank, has once buried countless bodies. Each being has undergone countless births and deaths. Thus, understanding the endless cycle of samsara (cycle of rebirth), we must reflect on our lives so we are no longer busy with trivial plans.

The Buddha also told of a dog that gave birth and then ate her own puppies due to a curse from a past life. This illustrates the power of karma and accumulated suffering. We must be aware of this truth to follow the path of practice.

## The Roar of Wild Beasts and Love for the Forest

The Buddha asked, "When you meditate in the forest and hear the roars of wild beasts, how do you feel?" Tissa answered:

"Hearing the beasts roar morning and evening, my heart loves the wild forest deeply."

It was not fear, but love for the forest because it is quiet and free from the dust of fame and profit. Loving the forest is a virtue of the holy ones. Those who cannot love the forest should examine their own morality. From the wild forest, the novice found purity and diligence in practicing meditative concentration.

## Final Teaching: Do Not Indulge in Fame and Profit

The Buddha concluded with a verse:

"The bliss of nirvana differs from worldly pleasures. Disciples of the Buddha, understand this clearly. Do not indulge in fame and profit; cultivate the practice of seclusion."

Let us learn from Tissa's example: turn away from fame and profit, and seek the true peace of the mind/heart. Although life involves suffering (dukkha), there is a path to liberation. It is the path of wisdom and compassion.

Each of us can be a Tissa if we know how to practice letting go of attachments and move toward liberation. Let us practice daily: a moment of stillness, a heart of compassion, and a step upon the Dharma. This is the path leading to the ocean of peace.