Date: 11/22/2025 11/23/2025
Location: Star Lake Meditation Center
Teacher: Shilin Long
Dharma Talk
The Old Man Who Worshipped the Tree Spirit
Long ago, there was an old man who was extremely wealthy but also greedy and miserly. He loved luxurious living, yet could not bear to spend his money.
One evening at dusk, as the sky glowed faintly red and the wind gently blew through his garden, the old cypress tree rustled softly in the breeze. Standing in the garden, the old man began to imagine himself feasting on delicious lamb meat. Suddenly, a cunning plan arose in his mind—a way to enjoy free meat while keeping his dignity.
He ordered a servant to summon his sons, then stood solemnly before the old tree, pressed his palms together, and prayed aloud:
“O Tree Spirit, may you bless my family with wealth and prosperity for generations to come.”
Then he said to his sons, “My children, our riches are thanks to the protection of this old cypress. Each year, you must offer a sheep as a sacrifice to the Tree Spirit.”
Following their father’s instructions, the sons slaughtered sheep and even built a small shrine to “worship” the tree. In this way, the old man always had plenty of lamb to eat and was very pleased with himself.
As years passed, the old man grew frail and eventually fell gravely ill. On his deathbed, he dreamt that a flock of sheep came to claim his life. After death, he was reborn as a sheep—ironically, among his own household’s flock.
When the annual sacrifice day came again, his son happened to choose the very sheep that the old man had become. Realizing his fate, the old man’s spirit within the sheep cried out in regret:
“My son! This old cypress was never a tree spirit—it was only my own greed for meat! Do not continue this mistake, or you too will suffer retribution!”
Just as his son raised the knife to slaughter the sheep, a venerable Arhat arrived at the house seeking alms. Seeing what was about to happen, he stopped the killing and said, “Do not harm this sheep—it is your father!”
Using his divine power, the Arhat revealed the sheep’s past life to the son. Witnessing the truth, the son burst into tears of remorse and vowed:
“From this day forward, I will never kill again. I will use my life to plant blessings, make offerings, and cultivate virtue for all beings.”
