Title: How Life Changes When We Are Free from Comparison | Buddhist Teachings
Once upon a time, there lived a young man named Yoichi in a small village. Yoichi was a simple soul, spending his days in tranquility, cultivating a small field. His house sat on the edge of the village, unremarkable in appearance, with a garden that wasn’t particularly beautiful. Yet, to Yoichi, this place was his home, and he had no complaints about it.
One day, Yoichi found himself troubled by comparisons. In the center of the village was a wealthy house with a meticulously maintained garden. The grass was lush, the flowers bloomed brightly, and it was so beautiful that it looked like paradise. Every time Yoichi saw this garden, he felt that his own life somehow paled in comparison. "Why is my garden so dull?" he wondered, beginning a daily habit of self-doubt.
Whenever he looked at his own field or garden, the beauty of the neighboring garden loomed in his mind, and he found himself sighing more often. His garden, overrun with weeds and hard soil, seemed colorless and lifeless compared to his neighbor's.
One day, during the village festival, Yoichi had the chance to talk to the wealthy neighbor whose garden he admired. Summoning his courage, he asked, “Why is your garden so beautiful? Do you use any special technique to care for it?” The neighbor, surprised at first, smiled and responded, “Actually, that garden is artificial. It’s not grown naturally but is maintained with artificial turf.”
In that moment, Yoichi felt something within himself shatter. The garden he had envied for so long was not as natural as he had believed. He realized he had been drawn to an illusion, placing external beauty over true inner value.
Returning home, Yoichi looked at his own garden. Yes, weeds grew, the soil was rough, and it couldn’t compare to the luxurious garden next door. But his garden was something he had cultivated with his own hands, filled with an unpolished yet sincere beauty. The effort he had put into it over time was undeniable.
The next day, Yoichi began to change. No longer captivated by the neighboring garden, he devoted himself to his own. He started a routine of weeding, tilling the soil, and watering the plants each day, finding satisfaction in the slow growth of his own garden. Little by little, he began to notice new sprouts breaking through the soil, life breathing into his garden.
Through this process, Yoichi discovered an important truth: when we constantly compare ourselves to others, we fail to see the richness and worth of what we already have. Outer beauty is easy to envy, but the satisfaction it brings is temporary, and true happiness lies within our own growth and inner fullness.
This realization was a turning point for Yoichi. He learned to appreciate the small joys and changes in his daily life. No longer feeling inferior to the neighboring garden, he found contentment within his own. Free from comparison, he could finally focus on his own life and growth.
In Buddhism, there is a concept called "introspection," which encourages us to look within ourselves and to seek understanding in our own minds. Just as Yoichi focused on his own garden, we too are taught that it’s essential to turn inward, rather than comparing ourselves to others. The success of others belongs to their path, not ours. By focusing on our own journey, finding growth and richness there, we open ourselves to true happiness.
Yoichi’s story teaches us about the peace that comes from freeing ourselves from comparison and the value of focusing on our own growth. We can learn to find joy in the small, daily changes of our lives, rather than seeking validation in others’ opinions or appearances. This, in the Buddhist view, is the path to genuine happiness.
Through this story, we too can look at our own garden—our own heart and life—and find the richness that resides there. When we release ourselves from the bonds of comparison, our lives transform into something filled with true happiness and growth.
