253-The Prince and the Beggar Child- Buddhism in daily life

The Prince and the Beggar Child


Buddhist reflections on life


Do you know Mark Twain? In 1881, the English author wrote a
historical novel about two boys who looked incredibly alike, and
were also born on the same day. One was a beggar child (Tom), the
other the son of the King of England (Edward).


Tom's childhood was terrible, his father was poor, brutal and a
criminal. He learned to read and write despite all the
difficulties, dreaming of a life as a prince, inspired by some
books.


Edward, on the other hand, grew up sheltered and without worries,
living in his father's palace. The world was open to him, the
kingdom was at his feet.


By chance, the two disparate children meet at the palace. On a
whim, they exchange clothes. Now Prince Edward is mistaken for
the beggar and even thrown out of the palace; the beggar boy Tom
is prepared for the coronation after the king's death, while the
prince learns the harsh reality of the streets of London.


Both of them keep affirming the confusion, but nobody believes
them, they are considered crazy. Prince Edward even has to go to
prison, where he feels the full force of the injustice of the
time.


On the day of the planned coronation of the beggar child, the
confusion is resolved, the real prince becomes king, Tom receives
the favor of the new king. The experience as a beggar child made
Edward a good king.


SO, WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE? PRINCE OR PAUPER?


Or do you want to realize WHO you really are?


If you were in this situation, what would be your choice, what
would you do?


People have no idea who they really are!


Fate can put us in a completely new situation from one moment to
the next, events can turn our lives completely upside down in a
few moments.


The important thing is to take life as it comes.


Asking "why me?", "why is this happening to me?" is completely
useless.


Have you ever imagined to exchange life with someone? How nice it
would be if you were "a famous actor", or a "lottery winner".


Rich people dream of a life without responsibility, poor people
dream of a life as a "prince".


"What if" brings us nothing, we have to live our life, the
thinking of our ego leads to nothing, we have to "silence" the
ego.


Have you ever thought about "enlightenment"?


ONLY PERSONALITIES MOVE THE WORLD, NEVER PRINCIPLES


- OSCAR WILDE - IRISH WRITER - 1854 TO 1900


Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de


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