The Long-Awaited Guest and the Gateway of Merit

This is the story of Nandiya, a wealthy and devout young man, and his insincere wife Revati. Through it, the teacher shows that blessings from merit are our true homeland, welcoming us when we depart this temporary realm.

The evening sunlight fell gently upon the ancient trees of Deer Park, where the Buddha first set foot to deliver his inaugural sermon to the five brothers of the Kondanna clan. The atmosphere here was quiet yet warm, evoking memories of a golden age of the early monastic community. Against this backdrop, the story of a wealthy family named Nandiya began, a living testament to the subtle law of cause and effect (karmic law).

Nandiya was the son of an extremely wealthy householder near Varanasi. He possessed not only a handsome appearance but also a heart deeply inclined toward goodness. From a young age, Nandiya attained early enlightenment, realizing the first fruit of Stream-Entry, and his heart remained always open to the Three Jewels. Though his parents urged him to marry and continue the family line, Nandiya firmly refused, for his heart was set only on the path of renunciation and liberation.

His future mother-in-law, loving her son deeply and wishing to keep him in the worldly life, devised a cunning plan. She summoned a young woman named Revati, whom she approved of as a daughter-in-law, and instructed her carefully: "Listen, my child. Nandiya is very devout. If you want him to agree to marry you, you must pretend to be devout just like him. Go to the temple, make offerings to the Sangha, and worship the Buddha's teachings (Dharma) with great diligence. When he sees that you share his aspirations, his heart will soften."

Revati, an intelligent girl but one lacking genuine faith, obediently followed her mother-in-law's advice. She transformed herself into a model devout Buddhist, visiting the monastery daily, holding incense in hand, reciting the Buddha's name, and displaying utmost reverence. Seeing this harmony of spirit, Nandiya was overjoyed. He thought to himself: "How rare! A woman who is both beautiful and possesses such a steadfast spiritual heart." In the end, he agreed to marry.

Throughout their years together, Nandiya and his wife accumulated boundless merit. Their enormous fortune was used to build monasteries and help the poor throughout the region. Yet behind this dazzling facade, Revati never truly understood the Dharma. She was merely acting to keep her husband and enjoy a life of luxury. This deception was like a poisonous seed quietly growing in the darkness.

Then one day, the Venerable Moggallana traveled up to the Heaven of the Thirty-Three. He was astonished to see a magnificent, resplendent palace surrounded by countless beautiful celestial beings waiting. When he inquired, he was told: "The master of this palace is currently in the human realm. His name is Nandiya. When he passes away, he will come up here as its master, and we are his attendants awaiting his arrival."

Upon returning, the Venerable Moggallana reported this to the Buddha. On this occasion, the Buddha delivered the famous verse from the Dhammapada: "As a long-absent traveler, returning home in safety, is greeted with joy by relatives and friends, so too do blessings from merit welcome one who has done good, from this life to the next, wherever one may be."

Not long after, Nandiya passed away. When people witness the early death of one who performed many good deeds, they often feel sorrowful, considering it a misfortune. But the truth was the opposite. It was precisely because Nandiya's merit had reached fullness, exceeding the capacity of this temporary human realm, that his consciousness was swiftly carried to the heavenly realm to enjoy his blessings. Death, for him, was not an ending but a homecoming.

However, tragedy befell Revati. After her husband's death, she inherited the entire fortune. Her true nature revealed itself; she turned her back on the Three Jewels, becoming harsh and bitter, and even drove away the Sangha when they came alms-begging at her door. She valued only money and worldly power. In the end, when she died, due to the evil karma accumulated from her deception and slander of the Three Jewels, Revati fell into hell, where no one welcomed her except painful punishments.

The Meaning of the Story

This story emphasizes that blessings from merit are each person's true "homeland." When we depart this temporary realm, what we have done, whether merit or transgression, will be what welcomes us. At the same time, the most valuable lesson lies here: the spiritual heart must arise from sincerity and understanding, not from schemes or pretense aimed at personal gain. A faith that is not steadfast, easily shaken by wrong views or circumstances, will lead to regrettable consequences. We need to accumulate blessings from merit to protect our mind/heart, so that we are not led astray by slanderous words or mistaken viewpoints.

Compiled from a dharma talk by the Venerable Thích Chân Quang.