The Final Moments of the Miserly Young Man

One morning, while mist still hung softly among the treetops, the Buddha sat in full lotus posture within the monastery. His eyes were closed, and his mind was as calm as a still ocean. Using his divine eye, he observed the world, clearly seeing those with good conditions who would be liberated that day. Suddenly, a vision appeared before his mind: a young man lying on a rough bed in the courtyard, facing inward, breathing weakly. He was the son of a wealthy but extremely stingy elder.

The father possessed great riches but had never dared to spend a single coin for others. When his only son fell gravely ill, his wife wept and begged him to call a doctor. The elder merely shook his head.

He said, "It will pass soon. Why waste money?"

Day after day, the illness worsened. Only when the boy was gasping for breath did the elder order his bed moved into the courtyard, hoping a passing physician might see the situation and treat him for free. The young man lay facing the wall, his heart filled with sorrow and resentment. He knew he was dying, yet his father remained preoccupied with calculations of wealth.

Suddenly, a radiant golden light shone from behind him, bringing an unusual warmth. With great effort, he turned over and opened his dimming eyes. From afar, a majestic figure approached slowly. His gait was solemn and powerful, like a king elephant walking upon clouds—gentle yet full of authority. His yellow robe shimmered in the early sunlight, and his compassionate face radiated a dazzling halo. It was the Buddha, accompanied by monks on their alms round.

The young man’s heart pounded violently. A sacred and intense emotion surged, flooding his soul. Unable to speak aloud, he whispered within his mind.

"I offer you my most complete reverence."

In that very moment, he closed his eyes and breathed his last. Miraculously, while his body remained on the bed, his consciousness rose gently, reborn into the heavenly realm amidst countless lights and fragrant flowers.

When the father returned to the courtyard and saw his son dead, he wailed in grief. But seconds later, remembering funeral arrangements, he wiped his tears and muttered, "He is gone; I must buy a coffin... what an expense!" He immediately stopped crying and began calculating how to avoid paying for the casket.

Later, the newly born deva—the young man from before—looked down from heaven. Seeing his father still immersed in miserliness, he descended to advise him to open his heart and make merit. The father asked,

"My son, you never performed any meritorious deeds in your life. How could you be reborn in heaven?"

The deva smiled and replied,

"Father, it was due to one thing alone. In my final moments, I saw the Buddha and arose with absolute reverence. That pure mind led me to this peaceful realm."

The monks heard this story and went to ask the Buddha about it. He confirmed,

"It is so. Even if one has not made merit throughout life, at the time of death, if the mind is pure and holds absolute reverence for the Buddha, happiness will follow that person like a shadow that never leaves its form."

Then the Buddha recited a verse:

"The mind leads all phenomena; the mind is the master creator. If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows like a shadow that never departs."

His compassionate gaze swept across the assembly. Everyone understood that the mind is the root of all blessings from merit, and even a single sincere thought of reverence is enough to guide us to the shore of liberation.

The Meaning of the Story

The lesson is that a pure mind, especially absolute reverence for the Buddha, can bring immense blessings from merit, helping a person be reborn in peaceful realms, even if they have not previously performed many good deeds. What matters most is always keeping the mind oriented toward goodness, particularly in the final moments of life.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang