The Lesson from a Beggar

Xuefeng

August 13, 2023

What's the primary characteristic of a beggar?

Rural beggars carry empty bowls, going door to door seeking food. Urban beggars occupy street corners, extending their hands for money. Their common trait: they seek alms from others.

Anyone who extends their hand, seeking alms from others, is a beggar.

This enlightens us: anyone not creating or unwilling to serve others for sustenance will eventually become a beggar.

Beggars are not destitute; some are physically capable and able-bodied, while others possess great wealth. Their common psychological trait is stinginess—they are unwilling to utilize their abilities or wealth and seek to gain without effort.

In life, one must persistently engage in at least one of these four activities: 1. Creating material wealth; 2. Cultivating spiritual wealth; 3. Nurturing soul wealth; 4. Serving others.

If one engages in none of the above, irrespective of their status—be it an emperor or a commoner, wealthy or poor, official, or common citizen, religious or non-religious, famous or just one among many—they are essentially beggars.

The antonym of a beggar is a benefactor, someone who selflessly gives material, spiritual, or soul wealth without expecting anything in return. Those who offer service without anticipating a reward are benefactors.

A benefactor is someone with the compassionate heart of a Bodhisattva. They are the truly wealthy ones. Those who, despite being materially poor, bring joy to others are not beggars but wealthy individuals.

In conclusion, anyone who does not create wealth or offer service yet continuously depends on external resources and services from others is a beggar.

Once reduced to a beggar, one loses the dignity of a living being and forfeits the eligibility to ascend to heaven.