Once, the Bodhisattva was born as the Great King Clear-sighted, who was fair and honest. He had a great kingdom. Kusavati, his capital, had four magnificent gates made of gold, silver, jade and crystal respectively, while the city was surrounded by rows of palm trees. King Clear-sighted had a couch encrusted with jewels and he was lying on this couch when his end was near. His queen said to him, “Think about your city with its magnificent gates and palms and be happy.” The king said, “No, my queen. Instead, you should advise me to give up attachment. Nothing that comes into being can last forever. All beings, be it a king or a petty thief, have to decay and die. True happiness is in the present moment.” Thus, the king advised everyone to be generous and honest in his life, not to run after wealth or pleasures.
Moral: Life’s pleasures end, but peace never ends.
