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Releasing the Cows

One day the Buddha was sitting in the wood with thirty or forty monks. They had an excellent lunch and they were enjoying the company of each other. There was a farmer passing by and the farmer was very unhappy. He asked the Buddha and the monks whether they had seen his cows passing by. The Buddha said they had not seen any cows passing by.

 
The farmer said, "Monks, I'm so unhappy. I have twelve cows and I don't know why they all ran away. I have also a few acres of a sesame seed plantation and the insects have eaten up everything. I suffer so much I think I am going to kill myself.
The Buddha said, "My friend, we have not seen any cows passing by here. You might like to look for them in the other direction."
So the farmer thanked him and ran away, and the Buddha turned to his monks and said, "My dear friends, you are the happiest people in the world. You don't have any cows to lose. If you have too many cows to take care of, you will be very busy.
"That is why, in order to be happy, you have to learn the art of cow releasing (laughter). You release the cows one by one. In the beginning you thought that those cows were essential to your happiness, and you tried to get more and more cows. But now you realize that cows are not really conditions for your happiness; they constitute an obstacle for your happiness. That is why you are determined to release your cows."

"Things"

There are so many people I know personally who feel as though they must have lots of "things" to make them happy. One friend actually seems to compete with another. "Oh, she got a new 300. purse, so I must get one to keep up". My opinion...they have been so totally taken over by their ego, that they don't even realize who they are anymore. Imagine, taking all the money away from everyone and have them begin again all as equals!! Can you imagine this??  People need to step back and look at what has happened to this world. The "wanting" and the feeling of "need" has gotten so out of control. Less is better. Greed is bad...very bad!!

Greed

Greed is not good or bad. It is just very painful.Clint

Greed

Painful.........you are so right! No good and no bad. That is why I turn to 18mind. Thank you Clint.

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