Priceless Jewel

Let me share a Buddhist parable (from the Lotus Sutra) with you   – There was once a man who visited the home of a close friend. He was entertained until he became quite drunk and fell asleep. While he was sleeping, his friend took a jewel of the highest imaginable value and sewed it into the lining of the guest’s robe, hoping to protect him from a life of want or worry.

The guest then set off for other parts. He fell on hard times and became so desperately poor that he was often forced to go hungry. Throughout this time, he remained completely unaware of the priceless jewel sewn inside his robe. It was in this state of extreme poverty that the man again encountered his friend. The friend informed him of the precious jewel affixed to his garment. Naturally, once the man learned of the jewel’s existence, he could become happy.

I was fascinated when I read this story and itched with the desire to share it with you. There is an important lesson to take away from it – The ‘precious jewel’ is an allegory for the state of ultimate happiness which exists in the heart of each one of us. But just like the man in the story, we are unaware of its existence in the depth of our own being. We need someone/something else to point it out for us.  And this is where faith/religion steps in. If despite having taken faith you fail to understand this and remain submerged in sadness, you are just like the man in the parable. 

I know some of you will find it difficult to believe that this state of ultimate happiness exists in each one’s heart. The creator is impartial and has given each one of us that precious jewel. It is just that some of us are aware of it while others are still ignorant about the fact. Some of us strive to polish that jewel each day; while some of us haven’t begun the process yet. But the sooner we start, the more we stand to gain. For then the ‘precious jewel’ fulfils every demand, every wish that we carry in our hearts.  Don’t believe me? – Experiment it for yourself.