The Joy of Children

In the late afternoon in Shravasti, golden sunlight stretched across the earthen roads. From within the homes, the crisp laughter of children rang out, spreading all the way to the open ground before the Jetavana Monastery. The children of the city, regardless of which faith their families followed, ran and played together on the lush green grass. They paid no attention to the boundaries that adults so often created.

The story began when the Buddha, in his later years, frequently stayed at the Jetavana Monastery in Shravasti. Previously, he had traveled extensively through the southern, eastern, and western regions, rarely stopping here. Since his arrival, many families in the city had taken refuge in the Buddha's teachings. However, other families who followed different paths kept their distance, feeling hesitant whenever they met. Only the children remained carefree, playing together as if there were no differences at all.

One day, several children were playing under the hot sun, sweating and thirsty. The children from Buddhist families ran into the monastery to ask for water. Seeing this, the Buddha called them all inside and taught them about cause and effect (karmic law), karma, good deeds, and bad deeds. The children were captivated and collectively asked to take refuge. When they returned home, they told their parents what they had heard. The parents who followed other religions became angry and scolded them harshly.

They said, "How dare you follow the path of the ascetic Gotama? That is not our way. From now on, do not play with those children anymore!"

The children felt sad and dared not play with their friends. But after only a few days, they gathered again at the open space before the monastery. The joy of childhood could not be suppressed for long. They resumed their games, laughing brightly, forgetting all the warnings from their parents.

Seeing this, the non-Buddhist parents grew even more frustrated. They went to the Buddhist families and complained loudly. Tension filled the air. The Buddhists did not rush to argue; instead, they gently advised their neighbors.

They said, "Dear brothers and sisters, please do not act this way. Do you see how your children suffer? They have lost their happiness and feel uneasy. Look at our children; how joyful and delighted they are when playing with their friends. Life is beautiful like this. We may not yet know which path is truly right or wrong. But the joy of children is precious. Please try to understand, and do not judge hastily."

These sincere words were like cool water soothing the heat of anger. Gradually, the other parents relaxed. Curious to know what the Buddha had said that so fascinated their children, they sought an audience with him. The Buddha did not criticize their beliefs. He spoke calmly and explained the truth.

He said, "In this world, there is what is right and what is wrong. Some people mistake the right for the wrong, and the wrong for the right. You think it is a fault for your children to play with others, but in reality, there is no fault. The joy of children transcends all boundaries. To prevent them from playing is the true error. By accepting wrong view, believing one path is superior to another, and causing division, you sow negative karma. Those who clearly understand right and wrong, living according to right view, will be reborn in happy realms."

Hearing the Buddha speak, many people understood and rejoiced, taking refuge in the Three Jewels. The Buddha then recited a verse:

"Seeing a fault where there is none, and seeing no fault where there is one, due to holding wrong view, beings fall into lower realms. Knowing a fault is a fault, and knowing no fault is no fault, due to holding right view, beings go to happy realms."

From then on, in Shravasti, parents no longer forbade their children from playing due to religious differences. The children were free to enjoy themselves once more, and their laughter rang out cheerfully. The adults, too, learned a lesson in tolerance, realizing that narrow prejudices should not obscure the truth.

The Meaning of the Story

This story reminds us of the harm caused by wrong view. When we mistake the right for the wrong, and the wrong for the right, we easily create division and generate negative karma. Conversely, those with right view see things clearly, live in harmony, and bring joy to themselves and others. Let us not allow differences in religion or opinion to destroy the most beautiful and close values, such as love and the joy of children.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang