The Blind Man Carrying a Lamp

Once upon a time, a man set off before dawn to attend the morning service at a temple.

When he arrived, a monk greeted him, "You're here so early."

The man replied, "Yes, I'm here for the morning service."

The monk looked at him and asked, "Why didn't you carry a lamp? It's so dark outside and the path is so narrow. "

The man said to the monk, "It's useless to me. I'm blind, so I don't really need a lamp."

When the service began, the man chanted along with everyone. After the service, he approached a Dharma master and asked him questions about some sutra passages.

The Dharma master asked him, "How long have you studied sutras?"

The man replied, "Not very long, but I've been thinking that life is short, so I should start learning the Buddha's teachings now. That's why I came here today to attend the morning service for the first time."

The Dharma master then asked him, "You came here so early. Why didn't you carry a lamp? Aren't you worried that you might fall into a ditch on the way?"

The man replied, "No, I know the way here very well. Although this is my first time attending the morning service here, I've actually come here with others a few times, so I know how to get here."

The master again asked him, "How are you able to recite sutras so well? Have you learned them before?"

He said, "I know what everyone was chanting this morning, but I don't really understand what they mean. That's why I've come to ask you questions."  

At dusk, as the man was about to go home, he asked the Dharma master if he could borrow a lamp.

The Dharma master said, "Didn't you say you don't need a lamp? You came here before dawn without a lamp. Why do you need a lamp now?"

The man replied, "I came without a lamp because it was very early and I don't think anyone would bump into me. But it's dark now. When I reach my village, others may bump into me if I don't carry a lamp. That's why I need a lamp now."

This story teaches us about faith. The man in the story was blind, but he could see with his mind's eye. He believed in himself, as he knew his way. Even though it was very dark before dawn, he believed that the path was very safe and he could get to the temple without a problem.

But why did he need a lamp on his way home? He was worried that others would bump into him. Although he believed in himself, he was not sure about others. That's why he needed a lamp to go home.

To believe in ourselves as well as others actually requires great wisdom. In life, we often give rise to doubts. When we do, our mind will be in turmoil and our life's path will turn dark. It is a broad and straight path to begin with, but we ourselves cast darkness over it because we're in doubt.

Faith is the source of all virtues. It nurtures within us all that is good. If we have faith and nurture goodness in us, our path in life will be a broad and straight one. So, we must have the wisdom to make right choices in life. Once we've made choices, be they about people or matters, we must have faith in them and not give rise to doubts anymore. Doubts bring darkness. When the light of our innate wisdom cannot shine forth, our mind will easily be shrouded in darkness. So, we must always remind ourselves not to give rise to doubts, or we'll end up deviating far off course.