The Car and the Middle Way Home

**Summary:** A busy man learns a valuable lesson from the Diamond Sutra: to fulfill his duties while seeing all things as empty, so his mind remains peaceful and his life becomes serene.

Morning in Saigon, the sun was already high, and the noise of traffic filled the alley outside. Mr. Tuan sat in his usual coffee shop, holding a cup of strong black coffee, his eyes watching the bustling stream of people. He sighed, thinking about the long day ahead filled with countless tasks, meetings, reports, and even difficult colleagues. He felt weary from worrying about so many things.

Mr. Tuan was an office worker, past forty years old. For years, he had lived in a whirlwind of work, worrying about every little detail. He feared his boss's criticism, feared colleagues' envy, and feared not having enough money to provide for his family. Every morning when he woke, he felt a heavy weight in his heart, as if the whole world rested on his shoulders.

One day, a close friend invited him to attend a Dharma talk. He reluctantly agreed, thinking perhaps he might find a little peace. During the talk, the teacher spoke of a sutra passage: "A mote of dust is not a mote of dust, it is called a mote of dust. A world is not a world, it is called a world." He listened without understanding, but one phrase caught his attention: "We must fulfill our duties, yet see all things as emptiness." He wondered, "How can one fulfill duties while seeing everything as empty? Isn't that contradictory?"

The teacher smiled and explained further: "Take your car, for example. You still maintain it, still use it to go to work, to do good deeds. But do not be attached to it, do not compare it with others' cars. See it as a tool, like a dream. Having it is fine; losing it is also okay. Your mind is not bound, yet you still accomplish your responsibilities."

After hearing this, Mr. Tuan felt as if a ray of light had entered his heart. He recalled how he had been too attached to his work, his car, and to praise or criticism. He was always anxious and fearful, and it was this very anxiety that exhausted him. He told himself, "I will try applying this. I will still work diligently, but I will no longer dwell on trivial matters."

The next day at the office, he met his often difficult boss. Usually, he would be tense and speak awkwardly. But today, he took a deep breath and reminded himself, "Work is just work. I will do my best, and as for the result, leave it to the cause and effect." He presented his report calmly, without the trembling of before. His boss looked at him, seemed surprised, then nodded approvingly, "You did very well today, clear and much more confident."

Mr. Tuan also encountered a jealous colleague who often tried to provoke him. Previously, he would feel annoyed and argue. But now, he just smiled, treating it as if it were nothing. Seeing the change in him, the colleague gradually softened his attitude and even began initiating friendly conversation.

A month passed, and Mr. Tuan realized his life had become much lighter. The work was the same, but he no longer felt the pressure. He was still diligent, still completed his tasks well, but his mind was free from worry and comparison. He felt blessed by the Buddhas, and things gradually went smoothly. His boss valued him more, his colleagues were friendlier, and his family was happier because he was less stressed.

One evening, while drinking tea with his wife, he told her about the valuable lesson he had learned. He said, "My dear, I have understood that life is like a dream. We must still live, work, and love, but we should not let these things bind us. Do your best, but do not be attached to the outcome. In this way, our minds will be peaceful, and all good things will naturally come."

**The Meaning of the Story**

This story is a lesson on the Middle Way taught by the Buddha in the Diamond Sutra: we should not cling to worldly life and be swept away by worries and afflictions, but we also should not deny life or evade our responsibilities. Fulfill all duties with a mind at peace, seeing all things as empty, without attachment and without comparison. When the mind is at ease, blessings will naturally grow.

Compiled from a Dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang