Date: 11/29/2025 11/30/2025
Location: Star River Meditation Center
Teacher: Yunquan Huang
Dharma Talk
Beholding the Buddha
Thus have I heard:
At one time, in the land of Vaiśālī, there were five hundred blind men. Because they could not see, they could do no work, but each survived by begging, suffering the scorn and rejection of others.
In those days, the Prince Siddhārtha had attained Buddhahood, and the news spread throughout the land. The five hundred blind men, hearing that whoever beheld the Blessed One was freed of affliction, suffering, and sorrow, were stirred with longing.
They said among themselves:
“How greatly we need to see the Buddha! If we can but see him, we too shall behold the light!”
One among them, a leader, said:
“We must go to the Buddha, not wait for him to come to us.”
But others said in despair:
“How shall we go? We cannot see the road.”
The leader replied:
“Then let each beg until he has one coin. When we have five hundred, we shall hire a guide.”
So they begged long days, suffering hardship, until they gathered five hundred coins and hired a man to lead them.
The guide walked in front, and each blind man held to the robe of the one before him. Thus they formed a long, winding line, like a great serpent upon the road.
They set out toward Śrāvastī where the Buddha dwelt. Though their journey was bitter and hard, the farther they walked, the brighter grew their hearts.
But when they reached the marshes near Magadha, the guide, seeing the way was difficult, deserted them and fled.
The blind men waited long, but he did not return. They cried in anguish:
“Our money is lost, and our hope is gone. What shall we do?”
Then the leader heard the sound of running water, and said:
“Come, take one another’s hands. Let us follow this sound.”
As they groped forward, they trampled upon a farmer’s seedlings. The farmer shouted angrily:
“You wretches! Are you blind, that you destroy my crop?”
The blind men answered:
“Good sir, forgive us! Truly we cannot see. If we could, we would not harm your field. We beg you, in kindness, show us the road to Śrāvastī. Though our money was stolen, in time we shall repay your loss.”
The farmer, moved with pity, sighed and said:
“Very well. I shall send someone to guide you.”
Thus they were led to Śrāvastī. But when they arrived, the monks said:
“You are too late. The Buddha has returned to Magadha.”
Greatly disheartened, they turned back to Magadha. But when they reached Magadha, they were told:
“The Buddha has gone again to Śrāvastī.”
So they went back and forth, seven times in all, weary and afflicted, yet never abandoning their vow to see the Blessed One.
At last, the Buddha, seeing their faith was ripe, waited for them at the monastery in Śrāvastī.
When they arrived, his radiance shone upon them, and in that instant, their eyes were opened, and they beheld the Blessed One.
The five hundred blind men fell to the ground, bowing in reverence, and cried:
“O Savior of the suffering! Grant us sight, that we may behold the radiance of the Buddha!”
The Buddha said:
“Because of your deep faith and long perseverance, I grant that you shall behold the light.”
At once, their eyes were restored. They saw the world again, rejoicing beyond measure. Bowing low, they said:
“Endless is the virtue of the Buddha! We beg to receive ordination, to follow the Blessed One through all lifetimes, and to offer ourselves in service.”
The Buddha said:
“Good! From this day you are my disciples.”
Thus the five hundred blind men entered the Sangha, practiced diligently, and in the end all attained the fruit of Arhatship.
