Middle Way

Twice a year, the equinox comes around. At this time, the length of day and night is equal. To harmonize with nature, we must not exceed one way or the other.

Relating the not-exceeding one way or the other, Buddha Sakyamuni gave good advice to His disciple, Sona. Sona practiced self-denial and self-torturing very hard, alone in a deep forest, but still could not reach Enlightenment. The more he tried hard, the more he felt in vain of the practice.

He cam to the Sakyamuni Buddha and said, "I am practicing so intensively. But it seems to be in vain. I cannot attain Enlightenment. I want to go back to my layman's life. My family has a lot of money and an estate. I may live happy with the treasures. Should I go back to my home or stay here?"

The Buddha replied to Sona, "I heard you were a very good harp player before you ordained in this Sangha. Is it so?"

"Yes, I was. I know how to play the instrument," answered Sona.

"Then, you must know that when you play a stringed instrument, you should not pull the string too tightly."

"That is exactly right, Buddha.

"Sona, how can you produce good sound from the harp?" asked the Buddha.

"The strings must never be pulled too much nor too little," answered Sona.

The Buddha responded with a smile, "Good, my disciple. Your practice in Buddhist life is just like the string of the harp. There is a point of neither too much nor too little."

Keeping the Buddha's advice deep in his mind, Sona practiced the Middle Way, and finally attained Enlightenment.

Our daily life should also be the same as with the string of the harp.

March 16, 1987