Once upon a time, in the tranquil setting of an assembly where Buddha was drawing a large crowd with his teachings, a storm was about to brew. A restless businessman, consumed by the belief that Buddha’s influence was diverting his children from the path of financial success, decided to confront the enlightened one.
With a heart burning with anger, the businessman stormed into the assembly, convinced that he would teach Buddha a lesson. He couldn’t fathom why people were drawn to meditate beside the serene teacher when they could be engaging in more profitable pursuits. The man, determined to express his discontent, confidently approached Buddha.
As the furious man closed in on Buddha, something unexpected happened. The moment he stood before the enlightened one, all his thoughts vanished. Though the anger still raged within him, he found himself unable to articulate his emotions. In an impulsive act, he spat on Buddha’s face, expecting a reaction that would validate his frustration.
Much to the surprise of everyone present, Buddha responded not with anger but with a serene smile. The disciples, ready to defend their teacher, were held back by an inexplicable calm emanating from Buddha. The man, seeing no retaliation, felt a sense of disquiet and decided to retreat before the situation escalated.
Returning home that night, the businessman found himself haunted by the image of Buddha’s peaceful smile. His conscience wrestled with the unprecedented reaction he had received. Sleep eluded him as his entire being underwent a profound transformation. Shivering and shaking, he felt as though his world had crumbled beneath him.
Unable to escape the impact of the encounter, the businessman rose the next day with a changed heart. Driven by an inexplicable force, he made his way back to Buddha, this time not with anger, but with a plea for forgiveness. Falling at Buddha’s feet, he begged, “Please forgive me. I did not know what I was doing.”
To the astonishment of all, Buddha responded, “I cannot excuse you.” Confusion and shock rippled through the assembly, including Buddha’s disciples. Buddha, known for his boundless compassion, offered an explanation: “Why should I excuse you when you have not done anything wrong? What wrong have you done that I should excuse your behavior?”
The businessman, bewildered, confessed to his disrespectful act from the previous day. Buddha, with profound insight, stated, “That person is not here anymore. If I ever meet the person on whom you spat, I’ll tell them to excuse you. For me, the person who’s right here in this moment, you are wonderful. You have done nothing wrong.”
In this tale of unexpected forgiveness, Buddha imparted a timeless lesson on the true nature of forgiving. He revealed that genuine forgiveness is when one absolves another without the need for acknowledgment. The story serves as a reminder that holding onto guilt is punishment enough, and forgiveness has the power to transform even the most hardened hearts.