The Final Glance

In a wealthy but miserly household, the only son lay dying on a bed placed in the courtyard. His father had refused to pay for a doctor, hoping that a passerby might offer free treatment out of pity. Yet no one stopped to help. The young man breathed with difficulty, his eyes closed tight, his heart heavy with sorrow. He reflected on his life: born into riches, he had never known a single day of joy. His father cared only for accumulation, denying him even the dignity of medical care in his final moments.

Suddenly, a warm light touched his back. Struggling to turn over, he opened his eyes and saw a monk approaching from afar. His steps were majestic yet gentle, like a king elephant walking upon clouds. A radiant aura surrounded him, brightening the entire space as if a thousand suns had risen. Never before had the young man seen such beauty. An ocean of reverence surged within his mind. Unable to speak aloud, he whispered internally: “I offer You my complete and absolute respect.”

With that thought, he took his last breath. He departed peacefully, a faint smile lingering on his lips. Only then did his father emerge from the house, checking if anyone had saved his son. Seeing the body cold and stiff, he wailed in grief. But almost instantly, tears dried up as he began calculating how to buy a coffin without spending money. His stinginess remained until the very end, pitiable and tragic.

Reborn in the heavenly realm, the young man looked down at his father. Moved by compassion, he descended, appearing as a young celestial being. He approached his father and said, “Sir, I am your son. I was reborn in heaven because of my profound reverence for the Buddha in my final moment.” The father asked in astonishment, “How could you ascend to heaven? You did nothing virtuous in your life.” The celestial being smiled gently. “It is true, I accomplished little. But when I saw the Buddha, my heart overflowed with absolute respect. That single moment of sincere reverence was enough merit to grant me birth in heaven.”

The father stood stunned. He realized that his miserliness had caused him to lose the most precious things in life. Looking back on years spent hoarding wealth without performing good deeds, he felt deep shame and regret. When the monks heard this story, they approached the Buddha for confirmation. The Buddha affirmed, “Indeed, though that young man performed few acts of merit, his absolute reverence for the Tathagata in his final moment led to his rebirth in heaven.”

Then the Buddha taught: “Mind precedes all phenomena; mind is their chief creator. If one speaks or acts with a pure and clear mind, happiness follows like a shadow that never leaves its form.” The monks listened deeply, understanding that a single wholesome thought can transform one’s destiny. This story reveals the power of the mind. Even if one has not accumulated great merit, a sincere and pure moment of reverence can yield positive results. Always keep your mind clear, for happiness will follow you like a shadow follows its source.