The Plot of Land and the Youngest Sibling’s Smile

This story tells of three biological siblings disputing an inheritance. While the two older siblings were consumed by selfishness and conflict, the youngest sibling, through practicing meditative concentration, maintained a pure mind. He chose to yield, finding deep faith in cause and effect (karmic law).

The family meeting took place in a cramped living room. Afternoon sunlight slanted through the window frame, casting a pale yellow hue over their tense faces. On the table lay the land use rights certificate, the sole legacy left by their parents after they passed away. The atmosphere was heavy and suffocating, with the ticking clock seeming to count down the remaining time for their brotherly and sisterly love.

The eldest brother, appearing luxurious on the outside but with eyes hollowed by worry and ambition, placed his hand on the paper. His voice was sharp and commanding. He declared that as the firstborn son, he had the responsibility to worship their parents. According to ancient custom, he argued, he should receive the largest portion to build an ancestral hall and cover incense offerings. He urged his siblings to understand his position.

The elder sister sat opposite him, arms crossed, her face dark with anger. She interrupted immediately, claiming it was unfair. As a biological daughter with a husband and children needing shelter, she demanded an equal division among all three. She accused her brother of trying to cheat them out of their share.

They continued to struggle against each other, exchanging harsh words. Old wounds from childhood were dug up to attack one another. Selfishness, fear of loss, and greed transformed those sharing the same blood into enemies. They forgot that behind the plot of land lay the sweat and tears of their parents, and ahead lay the future of their descendants.

In the corner of the table sat Minh, the youngest sibling. Unlike his two older siblings, Minh showed no signs of tension or anger. He wore a simple shirt, had neatly cut hair, and wore a small string of beads around his neck, a sign of someone who frequently recites sutras. Minh was a diligent disciple at Vien Quang Pagoda, where he learned how to gather his mind and fight against the ego.

Minh watched his siblings arguing fiercely. He did not feel hurt or desire to compete. Instead, compassion arose in his mind/heart. He remembered his teacher’s words: "When the mind is turbulent, selfishness grows. When the mind is pure, tolerance and altruism flourish." Minh understood that if he joined this battle, he would lose himself and drag the entire family into the vortex of suffering (dukkha).

When his siblings paused to drink water, Minh spoke. His voice was gentle yet clear. He addressed them as Brother Hai and Sister Ba. He expressed concern for their exhaustion. He noted that dividing the land would surely create endless conflicts. Brother Hai needed land for worship, and Sister Ba needed land for stability. As for him, although he had a wife and children, he believed he could work hard and build a life without relying on this inheritance.

The eldest brother frowned, half-believing and half-doubting. He asked if Minh was speaking sincerely or calculating something else.

Minh smiled, a sincere and peaceful smile. He affirmed his sincerity. He offered to give up his remaining portion, however small, letting his siblings divide it as they wished. Or, if convenient, they could take his share entirely. He only hoped they would not lose their familial bond over a piece of land. He trusted in cause and effect (karmic law): when we give, heaven will compensate. He would continue working and making merit, believing he would have enough.

Silence enveloped the room. The two siblings looked at each other, then at Minh. Faced with the youngest sibling’s yielding and open heart, the walls of selfishness within them began to tremble. The eldest brother lowered his head, and the sister turned away to wipe away a tear. They realized that what they were fighting over was insignificant compared to the kinship and peace that Minh possessed.

Eventually, the meeting ended in reconciliation. Although specific legal agreements remained to be settled, the fire of hatred had been extinguished. Minh left with a light heart and graceful steps. He knew that the difficult path of practice he had chosen gave him a treasure more valuable than any plot of land: freedom from greed and a heart capable of love.

**The Meaning of the Story**

This story illustrates the intimate connection between mental agitation and selfishness. When the mind is chaotic, people are easily dominated by the ego, leading to disputes, conflicts, and the destruction of family bonds. Conversely, those who practice meditative concentration and maintain a pure mind develop tolerance, altruism, and faith in cause and effect (karmic law). Yielding is not weakness; it is an expression of wisdom and inner strength, helping to resolve conflicts and preserve the best values of humanity.

Compiled from the dharma talk of Most Venerable Thich Chan Quang