(Book 223 Stories of Supreme Spiritual Responses《無上殊勝莊嚴的感應》「佛語無虛言」)
‧Ｗritten by Sheng-yen Lu‧
Translated by Janny Chow
A US Daden Culture Publication
About forty years ago, I read an essay entitled “Troubles Caused by the Northwestern Rain.” The essay details are as follows:
One day, in a small town, there was a sudden shower of northwestern rain. In this town, only the community co-operative bank had an arcade that could provide shelter to pedestrians from the rain. In a very short time, a crowd gathered in the corridor of the arcade and the doorway of the co-op bank.
A villager wearing a bamboo hat on a bicycle passed by the co-op bank, and asked the people curiously, “What are you doing packed in front of the bank door?”
Someone from the crowd said in jest, “The co-op has failed, we are here to withdraw money.”
The man on the bicycle pedaled away, believing what he heard to be true. He notified everyone in his village as well as people in other villages. The rumor spread from one individual to ten, from ten to a hundred, and from a hundred to a thousand. In no time a surging crowd gathered outside the co-op bank.
Thus a bank run started, and in only one afternoon, the co-op bank in the little town collapsed and closed its doors.
The above is the synopsis of the essay “Troubles Caused by the Northwestern Rain.” A shower of the northwestern rain, a joking remark, a man believing this to be true, and subsequent bankruptcy for a bank!
“Rumors” are indeed terrifying!
***
Since the attainment of enlightenment and realization of my Buddha-nature, I have not dared to make casual jokes because my words have often turned into “dharma decrees.”
(to be continued)
