One morning, as Lord Buddha addressed a gathering of disciples and seekers, he held a rope in his hands, ready to impart a profound lesson. Without uttering a word, Buddha began tying knots in the rope, leaving the audience curious about the purpose of this symbolic act.
As the knots formed, Buddha posed a question to the assembly, "I have tied three knots in this rope. Now, tell me, is it the same rope as before?"
A disciple stepped forward and responded, "The rope appears unchanged from one perspective, but with the knots, it is not the same. While its basic form remains, it now carries additional complexities."
Buddha acknowledged the response, affirming the truth in it. He then proceeded to demonstrate the difficulty of untying the knots by pulling the rope's ends apart, leading to a tighter entanglement.
Addressing the assembly, Buddha posed a crucial question, "What is the actual cause of the problem in which you are stuck? Without knowing the cause, a solution is impossible."
He emphasized the importance of understanding the root cause before attempting to find a solution. Many, Buddha noted, seek answers without delving into the origins of their challenges. Just as the knots in the rope revealed the intricacies of their formation, understanding the cause of life's problems is crucial for unraveling them.
In his teachings, Buddha urged everyone to introspect, to inquire into the source of their difficulties, and to find the underlying causes. Much like untying knots, addressing problems becomes more manageable when one comprehends their origins. Through this lesson, Buddha illuminated the path to effective problem-solving—identifying the cause before seeking a solution.