The Wealthy Elder Who Stood Firm Against Slander

That morning in the city of Angutara, golden sunlight stretched across the dirt roads, and birds sang sweetly from the branches. A wealthy elder, past fifty years old, dressed in a pristine white robe, slowly stepped out of his magnificent mansion. He breathed in the fresh air, his heart full of joy because today he would have the opportunity to listen to the Dharma talk by Shakyamuni Buddha. Although he had only heard of this teacher by name, a profound reverence had already arisen within him.

On his way, he reflected on the rumors about the Buddha: that he was an enlightened being who taught people to live with compassion and wisdom. He longed to meet him soon. But just as he passed a crossroads, a group of strangely dressed ascetics with disheveled hair blocked his path. They were non-Buddhist monks, their faces revealing clear hostility.

“Elder, where are you hurrying off to?” one of them asked with a mocking tone.

“I am going to listen to the Buddha teach the Dharma,” the elder replied calmly.

Hearing this, the group gathered around him. Some shook their heads, while others sneered. One man stepped forward, leaning close to the elder’s face, and spoke with contempt.

“You are going to listen to that ascetic Gotama? Do you know he is a deceiver? His teachings make people weary of life, stripping away their desire to enjoy it. He teaches people to abandon their parents, shave their heads, live in austerity, and become a burden to society. You will regret listening to him!”

The elder stood still, listening to all those harsh words without wavering. He recalled what he had heard about the Buddha—a man who renounced his throne to seek liberation for all sentient beings. These slanders only strengthened his belief that the Buddha was a true practitioner, for evil people often hate good ones. Smiling, he pressed his palms together and gently replied.

“Thank you for your reminder. But I trust my choice. I will go to hear the Dharma.”

With that, he continued walking, leaving behind their astonished looks and curses. No matter what they said, he held firm in his faith. Finally, he arrived at the monastery, where the Buddha sat upon a high seat, majestic among hundreds of disciples. The elder bowed in respect, then sat down, his heart filled with peace.

The Buddha began to teach. His voice was warm and slow, each word penetrating deep into the elder’s mind. He listened, forgetting all worldly worries. When the teaching ended, he felt as though an invisible burden had been lifted from his soul. Joy arose within him as he realized the truths of impermanence, suffering, and non-self. In that very moment, he attained the fruit of Stream-Entry, stepping onto the noble path.

Afterward, he approached the Buddha and recounted his journey.

“World-Honored One, on my way here, many people tried to stop me, speaking ill of you in every possible way. Yet I did not waver, for I believed in your purity.”

The Buddha looked at him with eyes full of compassion. Neither praising nor criticizing, he simply recited a verse.

“It is easy to see the faults of others, but difficult to see one’s own. We search for others’ faults like looking for chaff in rice, yet we hide our own faults like a cheater hiding bad cards.”

Upon hearing this, the entire family of the elder attained the fruit of Stream-Entry. The bhikkhus wondered about his karmic conditions and asked the Buddha. The Buddha explained that the elder had made offerings to many past Buddhas and Pratyekabuddhas. However, his mind had remained attached to worldly desires, so he enjoyed blessings from merit through many lifetimes. Only in this life, when the good conditions ripened fully, did he attain enlightenment. The lesson is clear: seeing others’ faults is easy, but seeing one’s own is hard. Noble ones always look inward to correct themselves, while ordinary people dig up the faults of others.

The Meaning of the Story

We often easily recognize the mistakes of others but struggle to see our own. Practitioners must learn to look inward, correcting even small errors. When we notice the faults of others, we should use compassion to offer gentle advice privately, rather than spreading gossip or exposing them. This is the path of the noble ones.

Compiled from the dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang