In a prosperous town, there lived a wealthy man renowned for his generosity and adherence to the principles of Dharma and Karma. Despite his affluence, he held a unique policy when lending money to those in need.
The rich man's policy was simple yet profound: when extending a loan, his bookkeeper would inquire of the borrower, "When do you intend to repay this debt? In this life or the next?"
Honest individuals would pledge to repay the loan within their lifetime, while those of dubious character would jestingly promise repayment in their next incarnation.
One day, a cunning thief devised a plan to exploit the rich man's policy to his advantage. Pretending to seek a loan, the thief approached the wealthy benefactor, fully intending to use the opportunity to scout the location of the safe for a nighttime robbery.
Feigning sincerity, the thief assured the bookkeeper that he would settle the debt in his next life. Oblivious to the thief's true intentions, the bookkeeper dutifully handed over the requested funds from the safe.
Under the cover of darkness, the thief returned to the rich man's estate, intent on pilfering the contents of the safe. However, as he lurked in the shadows of the buffalo shed, awaiting an opportune moment, he overheard a remarkable conversation between two of the resident buffaloes.
To his astonishment, the buffaloes conversed in a language he could understand. One buffalo confessed to the other that it had been reborn into servitude within the rich man's shed as a result of borrowing money with the promise of repayment in the next life.
The thief listened intently as the buffalo recounted its realization that all debts, whether financial or karmic, must ultimately be repaid, even across lifetimes.
Deeply moved by the profound lesson imparted by the buffalo, the thief experienced a profound shift in perspective. Recognizing the folly of his deceitful ways, he resolved to rectify his misdeeds.
With newfound clarity and a sense of accountability, the thief returned to the rich man's abode the following morning. With humility, he repaid the borrowed sum in full and requested that his name be expunged from the ledger of dishonesty.
In this transformative moment, the thief embraced the principles of honesty, integrity, and personal responsibility, vowing to live a life untainted by deceit.
Lesson Learned:
The tale of the rich man's policy and the thief's revelation serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of actions and consequences. Whether in matters of finance or morality, debts incurred must eventually be settled. By embracing honesty and accountability, one can transcend the cycle of deceit and pave the way for true redemption and enlightenment.