Three Ways to Spend One Million Dong

The late afternoon sun cast pale golden streaks across the polished oak table. In the quiet room, three glass cups filled with water stood neatly before three men. The atmosphere was heavy with stillness, as if time itself had paused to await a test of human hearts and karmic retribution.

The teacher sat there, his gaze filled with compassion as he looked at each person in turn. On the table, between the three men, lay a piece of paper clearly marked with the number: one million dong. This was not all they possessed, but merely a small fraction of the enormous fortune worth one billion dong that each held behind them – a symbol of blessings from merit accumulated over many past lives.

"Listen carefully," the teacher said, his voice gentle yet firm. "With the same amount of money and the same starting point, how you handle it will determine your own future."

The first man, his hands trembling with emotion, picked up the paper. He did not hesitate long; he quickly stood up and walked out the door. Outside, the distant wail of an ambulance siren could be heard. This man took the one million dong to perform acts of charity, helping those unfortunate souls who needed food and clothing. His actions sought no fame, only sincere sharing. When he returned, a smile radiated on his face, glowing with an unusual peace, even though his pocket was empty.

The second man sat in silence, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the table. He calculated carefully. Finally, he decided to use the one million dong to buy rice, fish sauce, and salt, and to pay tuition fees for his children – the essential, ordinary needs of family life. He did no harm, nor did he create great merit; he simply sustained his current existence. His eyes were calm, accepting that this was his portion of blessings being enjoyed reasonably.

The third man was entirely different. He leaned back in his chair, sneering when he saw the amount. "One million? Too little," he said, his tone arrogant. He stood up, adjusted his expensive suit, and walked straight out onto the street. Thumping music from a nearby bar echoed in the distance. He threw money through the window, tipped waitresses, drank heavily, and sought temporary, frivolous pleasures. He believed he was enjoying life and proving his status.

Time passed swiftly, like the blink of impermanence (anicca). The teacher called all three men back. Before them now was no longer the paper showing one million dong, but an illustration of their original one billion dong fortune.

"Look," the teacher pointed to the virtual yet chillingly real statistics board.

For the first man, thanks to his generous mind of giving, the one billion dong fortune did not decrease. Instead, it multiplied, transforming into new opportunities, beautiful relationships, and most importantly, a rich and pure inner state. His blessings from merit grew exponentially.

For the second man, the one billion dong fortune decreased by exactly one million dong. This was the natural depletion of personal spending. He remained stable and sufficient, but there was no significant breakthrough or increase. His life continued to flow in quiet adequacy.

But for the third man... the teacher paused, his expression stern. "He lost one million dong in cash, but the price paid was not just that number. Due to his indulgent, selfish, and depraved lifestyle, his blessings from merit were fiercely burned away. That one billion dong fortune suddenly collapsed, leaving perhaps nine hundred million, or worse. He lost respect, health, and good opportunities in the future. The cost of a moment of pleasure is the severe erosion of one’s destiny."

The room fell into absolute silence. The third man hung his head, sweat beading on his forehead, realizing his foolishness too late. The lesson on how to spend money is not just about economics, but about spiritual practice and preserving one’s own blessings from merit.

The Meaning of the Story

This story illustrates the profound law of cause and effect (karmic law) regarding the use of assets. With the same amount of money, the purpose of its use – whether for making merit, normal consumption, or lavish decadence – leads to completely different results in terms of blessings from merit. Wasteful spending on lowly pleasures not only loses money but rapidly burns away accumulated merit, leading to painful consequences later. Conversely, knowing how to use money to benefit others helps blessings from merit grow, bringing lasting happiness.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Venerable Thich Chan Quang