The Buddhist parable, “The Jewel hidden in the robe,” told in Chapter 8 of the Lotus Sutra, tells a tale of ignorance, spiritual poverty, and transformation.
A poor man goes to visit a close wealthy friend. Enjoying dinner with bit too much wine to drink he becomes drunk and falls asleep. His wealthy friend must go out of town on business, but before leaving, he sews a priceless jewel into the lining of his sleeping friend’s robe so that he will never be poor again. When the poor man awakens, he has no idea that he has been given this jewel. He goes about his meager life working menial jobs to provide himself with food and clothing, trying with all his energy to get ahead but always encountering great difficulty. No matter how hard he tries it is always one step forwards, two steps back. Later he again meets up with his old friend, who is shocked at his poverty and shows him the jewel in the robe. The man realizes for the first time that he possesses a priceless jewel and is overjoyed.
This story’s message is that we are all, already, unimaginably wealthy, having this Jewel deep inside. But because we are ignorant of this wealth, we believe we are isolated beings, living separate lives from those around us. This spiritual poverty gives rise to all the world’s evil, harm and unwholesome things. The turning of people, animals and environment into mere commodities to be taken by the strongest, bought and sold and consumed.
No matter how much material wealth we may have, if we do not have good physical and mental health, our lives are full of physical pain and emotional suffering, and our thoughts, words and actions cause of harm and conflict for ourselves and others. No amount of material wealth can fix these problems.
Shakyamuni Buddha and Nichiren Daishonin both taught that the treasures of the mind are superior to material wealth and encouraged us to live a moral and virtuous life of love and gratitude: “To avoid harm, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one’s mind – this is the teaching of the buddhas.” – Dhammapada verse 183
The jewel in the robe is the “treasure of the mind,” with it we are wealthy beyond imagination. Even if we are not materially wealthy, our meditation practice gives rise to a mind of abundance, from which feelings of love and gratitude shine near and far brining joy to ourselves and those around us.
“It is rare to be born a human being. Life as a human being is hard to sustain—as hard as it is for the dew to remain on the grass. But it is better to live a single day with honor than to live to 120 and die in disgrace. Live so that all the people will say in your praise that you are diligent in service and in your concern for other people. More valuable than treasures in a bank are the treasures of the body, and the treasures of the heart/mind are the most valuable of all. Strive to accumulate the treasures of the heart/mind!” - The Three Kinds of Treasure (WND I, #106, 1277):
We express and celebrate our trust and confidence in this Jewel through our regular meditation practice, perceiving our own unique life, and as part of a collective consciousness greater than ourselves. The mysterious, moment-by-moment, creative unfolding of Life or “creation.”
In the Flower Garland Sutra, it is written: “the mind is like a master artist, skillfully painting the scenes of the world, using the five aggregates: matter, perception, mental conceptions, volition and consciousness- producing art as the consequences of actions that arise.”
Everyone wants to paint a good painting for their life and family. To do this we must establish a proper mind, the Eightfold Path and Six Paramitas, which is the basis for all things.
“Strive on, untiringly.” Parinibbana Sutra SN 6.15
“The heart of the Buddha’s teachings is the Lotus Sutra, and the heart of the practice of the Lotus Sutra is found in the “Always Respecting Everyone” chapter. What does Bodhisattva Always Respecting Everyone’s profound respect for people signify? The purpose and meaning of living is demonstrated in our behavior as a human being. The wise may be called human, but the thoughtless are no more than animals.” - Reply to Shijō Kingo, The Three Kinds of Treasure (WND I, #106, 1277)
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo
Novice Ryugan Mark Herrick