Here is a story in the Avadanasataka Sutra: At the Buddha’s time, in Sravasti, an elderly Brahman’s wife gave birth to a baby boy. Whenever the child was hungry for milk and as soon as the breast milk entered his mouth, the milk would turn bad. It was the same situation whenever he took in other food. Therefore, this had been how he grew up in a semi-starvation state. After he grew up, he beseeched the Buddha for renunciation from household life. Out of compassion, the Buddha approved it.
After the renunciation, other Bhikkhus always returned with a bowl full of food after they went out to ask for offerings. Yet, he was the only one who returned with an empty bowl. One day, it occurred to him that he had to do something for the Three Jewels. Through the physical work, he wished to eradicate his negative karma. He resolved to clean up the monastery and miraculously, the next day, he returned with delicious food. Therefore, he became even more determined to serve the Three Jewels. This way, he got to have food every day.
One day he slept in and missed the clean-up. Sariputra cleaned up the monastery as he passed by. He was very upset about this and told Sariputra, “I only get to eat after I clean up the place. Now, you have done it. I will definitely have nothing to eat today.” After Sariputra heard about that, he said, “It is no problem. I will go to the city and get food for you.” After he went to a layperson’s house, the couple happened to be in a quarrel. He returned with an empty bowl. The next day, Sariputra told him that an Elder had made a meal offer to the Buddha and the Sangha. The Buddha would take them along. After they arrived at the Elder’s home, everyone’s bowl was full of food, except his. They had missed filling up his bowl. He went to inform the owner about his empty bowl, yet no matter how he yelled out to the owner, somehow, he never could hear him.
After Ananda knew about this, he felt sympathy for him. He volunteered to get food for him the next day. Ananda was known as the first in memory, yet, this time, he totally forgot about his promise. On the fourth day, he finally got a bowl of food. However, on his way back, a dog ran to him and spilled the food. Venerable Maudgalyayana also had learned about this. The following day he went out and got the food for him. On his way back, he took a break under the tree. All the birds in that tree flew down and ate up the food in the bowl. Venerable Maudgalyayana singed, “In spite of being the first in supernatural powers, I also cannot do much due to his heavy negative karma.”
Sariputra could not bear to see this. He made up his mind to find food for him. The next day, he went out and got a bowl of food. When he got to the entrance, the door which used to be open suddenly shut closed with a bang. The bowl of food was hit by the door and spread all over the floor.
Until the seventh day, the Bhikkhu had not taken a bit of food still. He cried out of sorrow and shame. He ended up eating the sand and died. Everyone was amazed by what had happened. They went to the Buddha and inquired about the karmic condition of the Bhikkhu. The Buddha told everyone, “At the time of Indradhvaja Buddha (Sovereign Sign Buddha), there was an Elder who loved to do good deeds and give donations. He often offered vegetarian meals to the Buddha and the sangha. He also had a son who followed after his conducts. The family property was managed by the father at that time; therefore, the son was not against the donations.
After the Elder passed away, the son inherited the property. He became greedy and was unwilling to give. Other than being unwilling to give to the sangha, he also did not allow his mother to make offerings. However, his mother was frugal and tried to save to give to the sangha. One day, the mother told him, “I have nothing left to eat. Can you spare me any food?” He talked back at his mother, “I gave you food, but you gave it away to the sangha. Why don’t you just go and eat the sand?” Later, his mother died of starvation. Due to the negative karma of reluctance in making offerings and respecting parents, he degenerated into the hell realm after his death. After countless of eons he had finally made his way back to the human realm. In the same way, he still had to go through the negative karmic retribution of hunger and starvation. Because he did not oppose his father making offerings to the Buddha in the past, he then had the karmic condition to renounce in this life time. Nevertheless, because of the heavy negative karma of disrespect to his mother, in this life, he experienced extreme hunger and eventually died of eating sand.
This is the karmic retribution of greed, disrespect to parents, and negative speech. In spite of the fact that he had renounced himself from the household life, he still could not escape from retribution. From this, we learn that negative karma can be very horrifying.
A few days ago, something happened that suddenly made me understand what “attachment to self” truly means.
That day in my neighborhood, I had just parked my car and was about to head upstairs when Aunt Wang, who lives in the next building, suddenly rushed over, pointed at my nose, and shouted: “How can you be so inconsiderate? You always park so far forward—my son can’t find a spot when he comes back at night!”
I stood there, completely stunned. As far as I knew, I always parked neatly and had never taken anyone else’s space. A wave of anger rushed over me, and I began to tremble, just moments away from snapping back at her. But then I suddenly remembered a teaching from Namo H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III:
“If one becomes upset because of another’s harsh words, that is the demon of attachment to self.” That sentence struck me like a bucket of cold water, instantly waking me up.
The Daily Tests of Cultivation—and the Teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
When I got home, the more I thought about it, the more wronged I felt. It clearly wasn’t my fault—why should I have to endure such anger? But then another thought came to mind: isn’t this a test of my attachment to self?
In the past, I always thought my cultivation was pretty good. But faced with a small situation like this, my true nature was revealed instantly.
I remembered when I had just started learning Buddhism. A senior disciple, who had studied under H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III for many years, once told me: “Cultivation is not about how long you can sit in meditation—it’s about how you respond when something upsetting happens in daily life.” Perhaps he had already noticed the problem in my practice and was giving me a subtle reminder. At the time, I didn’t fully understand it—but now, I do.
A Shift in Perspective Through True Dharma
I shared the incident with another Dharma brother, Senior Brother Li. He listened and then smiled, saying: “This is a good thing. It means your karmic forces have manifested, giving you the chance to eliminate karma.” I looked confused, so he explained: “When someone scolds you and you get angry, that’s attachment to self. But the moment you recognize that, it’s the beginning of true progress.”
The next day, I saw Aunt Wang again. I took the initiative to greet her. She looked surprised, but her expression softened. I said, “Auntie, if my parking caused you any inconvenience, I sincerely apologize. I’ll be more mindful in the future.” She looked a bit embarrassed and replied, “Actually… I may have mistaken the parking spot…”
This incident taught me something profound. What we call “being wronged” is often caused by misunderstandings—or more importantly, our own attachments.
I recalled another teaching from H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III: “When we feel troubled by others’ harsh words, it is actually our own inner demons manifesting.” What others say doesn’t matter as much as how we respond.
Looking back, I’m actually thankful for Aunt Wang. Without that encounter, I might still be stuck in the trap of ego attachment. The teachings of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III helped me understand that true cultivation is not found only in temples—it is found in our everyday actions and responses.
Mindful Questions That Help Break Ego Attachment
Now, whenever something upsetting happens, I take three deep breaths and ask myself:
Is this really worth getting upset over?
Am I reacting to protect my ego, or am I truly thinking of the other person?
If the Buddha encountered this, what would He do?
Am I attached right now? Can I truly pick it up and let it go?
Little by little, I’ve noticed a real change in my mindset.
Growth Through the Dharma of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
Last week, a coworker publicly criticized my proposal during a meeting. In the past, I would’ve argued back on the spot. But this time, I calmly listened and said, “You’re right. This proposal does need improvement. I’ll revise it.” After the meeting, my supervisor sought me out to say I seemed mature and steady—and even entrusted me with a new project.
Over the years, my biggest gain from learning Buddhism hasn’t been how many sutras I’ve chanted, but learning to truly apply the Dharma in daily life.
I used to get angry over the smallest things, always feeling targeted. But really, I was just taking myself too seriously. Now I understand:
Attachment to self is the root of suffering. Only by letting go of ego can we find true happiness. This realization came only through listening to the true Dharma expounded by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.
A Final Reflection on the Wisdom of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III
Ever since I stopped caring so much about others’ opinions, I feel lighter. It’s as if a heavy burden has been lifted, and my heart is free. I used to worry constantly. Now I know: What others say is their business. How I respond—that’s my cultivation.
Let me share one last insight: Next time someone speaks harshly about you, don’t rush to get angry. Instead, ask yourself—why do those words hurt me? Often, the pain doesn’t come from what others say—it comes from our own attachment to self.
When we learn to let go, we truly take a step closer to liberation. And maybe—just maybe—their words can help us improve and become more diligent.
All afflictions arise from the attachment to self. If we can see through it and let go, bodhi (awakening) is already at hand. May we all gradually break through ego attachment in daily life and, with the guidance of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, attain true freedom and joy.
頂禮 H.H. 第三世多杰羌佛-- 正教 