“The True Path to Success: Patience, Inner Strength, and the Law of Cause and Effect”
Introduction: The Hidden Qualities of True Success
Success — a word that has different meanings for each person. For some, it’s about achieving fame and recognition, for others, it’s the accumulation of wealth or material possessions. But true success, the kind that stands the test of time and brings inner peace, has little to do with outward appearances. It’s a deeper journey, one that requires patience, wisdom, and understanding the Law of Cause and Effect.
In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating story of three monks and their unique paths to success. We will delve into the timeless Buddhist teachings that offer profound insights into achieving true success — not by chasing fame, wealth, or external validation, but by cultivating patience, self-awareness, and inner strength.
The story begins in ancient China, where three young monks lived in a high temple nestled in the mountains. Their names were Shoji, Tenki, and Wa, and together they grew up under the guidance of a wise and compassionate master. The three monks were best friends, studying and practicing Buddhism with equal devotion, but their paths to success would take very different turns. Through their journey, we learn valuable lessons about the true nature of success.
The Three Monks: A Tale of Different Paths
Shoji: The Monk Who Borrowed Wisdom
Shoji was the first to rise in the temple. His reputation for wisdom spread quickly. He was known for his eloquent speeches and deep insights, which captivated everyone who listened to him. Shoji’s wisdom seemed endless, as though he had mastered all aspects of Buddhist philosophy. But there was one problem: his wisdom wasn’t entirely his own.
While Shoji spoke with great depth and authority, it became clear over time that much of his knowledge came from others. His teachings were well-crafted, but they lacked the personal experience and insights that come from true spiritual practice. Shoji had learned to quote ancient scriptures and the teachings of revered masters, but he hadn’t yet developed the deep, personal understanding that comes from true inner growth.
Shoji’s outward success was impressive. His wisdom attracted many followers, and his name became known throughout the land. Yet, his inner journey was still incomplete. He had borrowed the wisdom of others, but he hadn’t yet forged his own path.
Tenki: The Monk Who Sought Quick Results
Tenki, the second monk, was different from Shoji. He was known for his relentless pursuit of new and innovative methods in his practice. He constantly sought out new techniques and was always eager to experiment. Tenki was a monk full of energy and creativity, never content to follow a single path for too long.
But Tenki’s innovation came at a cost. He lacked patience. While he constantly sought new methods and solutions, he never stayed long enough with any one practice to truly master it. Whenever he didn’t see immediate results, he quickly abandoned one method in favor of another. His quest for quick results led him to abandon many of his endeavors before they could bear fruit.
Tenki’s path to success was filled with enthusiasm and energy, but it lacked the one thing that is essential for true success: patience. He wanted results, but he was not willing to put in the long, steady effort required to achieve them.
Wa: The Monk Who Walked the Path of Steady Dedication
Then there was Wa, the third monk. Wa was not known for his wisdom like Shoji, nor for his creativity like Tenki. He was, in many ways, the most unremarkable of the three. But Wa had one quality that the others lacked: patience.
While Shoji and Tenki sought immediate recognition and fame, Wa quietly dedicated himself to his practice. He did not seek applause or admiration; he simply followed the teachings of his master and put in the work every day. His practice was slow and steady, but it was grounded in deep personal experience.
Wa did not focus on outward success. He focused on cultivating inner wisdom, and his dedication to the path slowly bore fruit. Over time, Wa’s steady efforts began to pay off. His wisdom, though quiet and humble, began to resonate with others. His teachings were simple but profound, grounded in the deep understanding that comes from years of dedication.
The Doubt: When Success Feels Out of Reach
As the years passed, the reputation of Shoji and Tenki grew while Wa’s remained relatively quiet. Wa began to feel a growing sense of doubt. He questioned the value of his own efforts, wondering if his steady practice was enough. Why were Shoji and Tenki’s reputations so much greater than his? Were their successes truly the result of their own efforts, or were they simply riding the wave of external recognition?
One day, Wa could no longer contain his doubts. He approached his friends and expressed his feelings. “You both have earned great reputations,” he said. “But I can’t help but wonder if your success is based on true wisdom or borrowed knowledge. Is your success truly the result of your own practice, or is it just an illusion?”
Shoji and Tenki were shocked by Wa’s words. They interpreted his doubts as jealousy. “Wa must be envious of us,” they thought. “He cannot accept our success.”
But Wa wasn’t jealous. He was troubled by what he perceived as a lack of true depth in their practice. He wasn’t questioning their success; he was questioning whether it was based on the kind of wisdom that comes from inner growth.
The Master’s Insight: A Lesson in True Success
It was at this point that their master, seeing the inner conflict among the monks, called them together. The master, with his deep wisdom, understood the concerns of each monk. He invited them to share their teachings with the others, and each monk was given the opportunity to speak.
Shoji went first. His words were filled with profound wisdom and insight, but there was something missing. His wisdom was not the product of his own experience. It was borrowed, pieced together from the teachings of others. Though his words were impressive, they lacked the personal depth that comes from true understanding.
Next was Tenki. He spoke with passion, emphasizing the importance of innovation and creativity. His words were filled with energy, but there was a sense of impatience in his teachings. Tenki wanted immediate results, and his approach reflected that impatience. He had not yet learned the value of steady, patient effort.
Finally, it was Wa’s turn. Wa spoke humbly, without any desire for recognition. His words were simple, but they carried the weight of truth. He spoke from his own experience, sharing the wisdom that had come from years of steady, patient practice. His teachings were grounded in the Law of Cause and Effect — the understanding that true success is not about seeking quick results, but about cultivating wisdom and strength over time.
The Master’s Final Lesson: True Success Is Within
The master listened to each monk’s words with deep understanding. “True success,” he said, “is not about outward recognition or quick results. It is about cultivating wisdom, patience, and inner strength. True success comes from steady, consistent effort, not from seeking external validation.”
He explained the Law of Cause and Effect through a simple analogy: “Imagine three men trying to light a fire. The first man holds a borrowed flame, but when it goes out, he is left in darkness. The second man creates his own flame, but he grows impatient and abandons it when it doesn’t burn brightly enough. The third man patiently nurtures a small flame, protecting it from the wind, and gradually it grows into a steady light.”
The master continued, “The first man represents those who rely on the wisdom of others without understanding it. The second man represents those who seek quick results but lack the patience to achieve them. The third man represents those who patiently cultivate their own wisdom, trusting in the process and allowing their efforts to bear fruit in their own time.”
Conclusion: Walking the Path of True Success
Wa’s steady dedication to his practice was finally recognized. His success, though quiet and humble, was grounded in deep wisdom and inner strength. Shoji and Tenki, too, learned valuable lessons. They realized that true success is not about seeking external validation or rushing to achieve results. It is about walking the path of steady, patient effort, cultivating wisdom and strength over time.
The story of Shoji, Tenki, and Wa teaches us that success is not a race or a competition. True success is about walking the path of self-discovery, trusting in the process, and remaining dedicated to our inner growth. It is about developing patience, cultivating wisdom, and understanding that true success lies within.
May we all walk the path of true success, finding fulfillment in the steady, patient cultivation of our inner wisdom and strength.
Thank you for reading, and may your journey be filled with peace and success.