Why Did a Noble One Visit a Woman’s Home for Three Consecutive Days?

Have you ever encountered someone whose outward actions seemed questionable, yet harbored great benevolence within? The following story of Venerable Moggallana from the Dhammapada may startle you. It reveals profound lessons about greed and judgment.

### When Appearances Deceive the Mind

Venerable Moggallana, an Arahant renowned for his supreme psychic powers, visited the home of a young, beautiful woman for three consecutive days. The villagers whispered among themselves: "They say he has attained Arahantship with the highest supernatural abilities, yet he still seems driven by desire. He visits that woman every day because she is so attractive."

We often judge situations based on surface appearances, leading us to negative conclusions. This is a common flaw in human nature.

In reality, the woman was a single mother living with her elderly mother and young daughter. All three generations had knelt before Venerable Moggallana, begging him to accept their offerings for three days so they could plant seeds of connection with the path to liberation. He accepted out of compassion. However, people unaware of this truth judged solely by what they saw.

### Projecting Our Own Minds onto Others

When we observe others, we often use our own accumulated karma to interpret their actions. Master Chan Quang noted that if each person were given a paper describing someone lingering near a house, they would write according to their own mindset. A romantic person might imagine love affairs; someone who has been robbed might suspect theft; a believer in feng shui might analyze the geography.

When we evaluate others, we are actually evaluating ourselves. We reveal our true nature through our judgments. Be cautious with this tendency. If you frequently speak ill of others, it reflects your own inner state.

Good people rarely criticize others. They understand that many things look bad on the outside but are good at heart. Therefore, they do not rush to conclusions.

### Why Do Noble Ones Often Remain Hidden?

Why do we rarely see enlightened beings appear in the world? The presence of a noble one allows sentient beings to plant causes for heavenly realms, but it also allows them to plant causes for hellish realms. Those who show respect and faith receive blessings from merit. However, those who doubt, mock, or slander immediately create heavy negative karma.

As soon as a holy being appears in the mundane world, some people instantly sow seeds of heaven while others sow seeds of hell.

Out of love for all beings, enlightened ones choose to offer silent protection rather than appearing directly. They watch over us like someone feeding fish, helping only those who show readiness. Sentient beings must swim and find their own way. When they develop a mind for practice, they receive support.

### Do Not Rush to Judge: The Actions of Saints Are Hard to Understand

Consider the story of Revata, the youngest brother of Sariputta. As a youth, he attained Arahantship immediately after awakening to the impermanence of the female body. If we fully understood every action of a saint, we would be nearly equal to them. Thus, the deeds of enlightened beings are often difficult for us to comprehend.

The actions of a holy being are frequently mysterious to ordinary minds.

When faced with unclear situations, do not rush to judge. Consider carefully, seek understanding, or remain silent if you cannot grasp the truth.

### What Does It Mean to Be Free from Desire?

The Dhammapada teaches: "One who has no craving, possesses wisdom without doubt, and realizes the deathless, I call a Brahmin." Freedom from desire is not merely an external thought pattern. It is a purity that reaches every cell, where the biological energies of male and female no longer attract one another.

A person free from desire is a saint who has transcended lust. Why? Because for an Arahant, there is no distinction between male and female.

For practitioners, we are far from achieving this state. Yet, we should at least recognize desire within ourselves and begin practicing letting go. Do not let external judgments drag you into negative karma.

Remember: every time you judge another, you are examining your own mind. The path to practice is not distant. It begins by slowing down, speaking less, and instead of judging, trying to put yourself in another’s shoes. This is how we liberate ourselves.