Date: 04/06/2024 04/07/2024
Location: Star Lake Meditation Center
Teacher: Otto Huang
Dharma Talk
The Insatiability of Human Desire
Once, Buddha was wandering in the capital of the Kosala kingdom, Shravasti, and stayed in the Jeta Grove at Anathapindika’s monastery.
Venerable Ananda, during a meditation, realized that worldly desires are rarely satisfied, and very few people die with a distaste for desire. It is exceedingly rare to find someone who is content and dies free from desire.
In the evening, after concluding his meditation, Venerable Ananda went to see the Buddha and reported his insight.
The Buddha responded to Ananda:
“Yes, indeed! That is so.
Ananda! In the past, there was a wise Wheel-Turning King named Top of Birth who had a great army and possessed the seven treasures: the Wheel Treasure, the Elephant Treasure, the Horse Treasure, the Jewel Treasure, the Woman Treasure, the Householder Treasure, and the Minister Treasure. He ruled a vast territory that extended to the sea, governing with justice rather than harsh punishments, and his people lived in prosperity and happiness.
Ananda! After a long time, one day, King Top of Birth thought: ‘I now possess this vast territory of Jambudvipa, with many people and wealth, along with the seven treasures and a thousand sons. I wish for the royal palace to be knee-deep in treasure.’
When King Top of Birth acquired a palace knee-deep in treasure, after a long time, one day, he wished to rule over another wealthy region in the west named Kutadanta.
After conquering Kutadanta in the west, after a long time, one day, he wished to rule over another wealthy region in the east named Videha.
After conquering Videha in the east, after a long time, one day, he wished to rule over another wealthy region in the north named Uttarakuru.
After conquering Uttarakuru in the north, after a long time, one day, he thought: ‘It is said that there is a place in the heavens called the Thirty-Three Heavens. Now that I have ruled the four great continents of the human world, I wish to see the Thirty-Three Heavens.’
King Top of Birth, with his supernatural powers, reached the Thirty-Three Heavens and witnessed its marvelous environment. He then entered the assembly hall of the Thirty-Three Heavens. The leader of the Thirty-Three Heavens, Lord Sakra, respecting him as a virtuous Wheel-Turning King, hurriedly rose to offer him a half seat, allowing King Top of Birth to sit beside him. At that moment, King Top of Birth’s appearance, except for his eyes, became identical to that of Lord Sakra.
After a long time, King Top of Birth thought: ‘I possess the seven treasures, a thousand sons, treasures, and rule over the four continents of the human world. Now, in the Thirty-Three Heavens, I have received half a seat from Lord Sakra, and except for my eyes, my appearance is as marvelous as his. Why not drive Lord Sakra away and take the other half of the seat? Then, I would become the free and unrestrained ruler of both heaven and earth.’
Ananda! As King Top of Birth entertained these thoughts, he unknowingly fell back to the human world of Jambudvipa, lost his supernatural powers to ascend to the Thirty-Three Heavens, and also fell ill.
Before his death, a minister asked:
‘Great King! If someone asks me what King Top of Birth’s final words were, how should I respond?’
‘You should answer thus: King Top of Birth, having obtained Jambudvipa, died still unsatisfied; possessed the seven treasures, yet died unsatisfied; had a thousand sons, yet died unsatisfied; acquired immense wealth, yet died unsatisfied; conquered Kutadanta, Videha, and Uttarakuru, yet died unsatisfied; witnessed the assembly of the gods, yet died unsatisfied; King Top of Birth, despite enjoying the five desires, died still unsatisfied. If anyone asks, you may respond in this manner.’
Then, Buddha said:
‘Even if treasures rain down like rain, desire can never be satisfied;
Desire only brings suffering, not joy, the wise should know this.
Even if one acquires unlimited gold, as high as the great snowy mountains;
One cannot be fully satisfied, the wise should think this way.
Even with the divine pleasures of the heavens, one should not find joy in these five desires;
Such a person, who breaks free from greed and desire, is a true disciple of the Awakened One.’
