Live Thoughtfully - Interpretation of 81 Principles of Life

Author: Chang Chenzi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: People yearn for heaven because they fear suffering and desire happiness. Heaven is the epitome of happiness, but perhaps there is something unknown to many: happiness must be rooted in real life and grow alongside people's experiences of hardship, setbacks, and pain. Happiness is relative; there is no pure happiness in the world. Once happiness becomes utterly pure, it transforms into an experience of pain. (1) The Temptation of Heaven At one time and place, there lived a wealthy man named Kadish. He had a single son named Atesse, who had blue eyes and golden hair. Kadish also had a distant relative, an orphaned girl named Aksa. The two were about the same age and had grown up together, eating, studying, and playing. When they grew older, it was natural for them to marry. However, when they reached adulthood, Atesse suddenly fell ill. He had a disease that had never been heard of before: Atesse believed he was already dead. Why did he think this? It seemed he once had an old nanny who often told him stories about heaven. She had told him that in heaven, there was no need to work or study. In heaven, people ate wild beef and whale meat; drank wine prepared by God for the good; could sleep late and wake up whenever they wanted; and had no duties at all. Atesse was naturally lazy. He feared getting up early and disliked studying. He knew one day he would have to take over his father's business, but he was unwilling. Since death was the only way to heaven, he resolved to die as soon as possible. He kept thinking about it until he convinced himself he was truly dead. His parents, of course, were very worried. Aksa secretly cried. The family tried their best to convince Atesse that he was still alive, but he did not believe them. He said, "Why don't you bury me? You know I am dead. Because of you, I cannot go to heaven." Many doctors examined Atesse, all trying to convince the child that he was alive. They pointed out that he was speaking and eating. However, soon after, he ate very little and spoke even less. The family grew truly worried that he would die. In desperation, Kadish visited a great expert, known for his vast knowledge and wisdom—he was Dr. Uz. After hearing about Atesse's condition, Dr. Uz told Kadish, "I promise to cure your son in eight days. But there is a condition: you must do whatever I command, no matter how strange." Kadish agreed. Dr. Uz said he would visit Atesse that very day. Kadish went home and told his wife, Aksa, and the servants to obey the doctor's commands without doubt. (2) This Heaven Dr. Uz arrived and was led into Atesse's room. The child lay in bed, emaciated and pale from fasting. Upon seeing Atesse, the doctor exclaimed, "Why are you keeping a dead person in the house? Why haven't you buried him?" Hearing this, the parents were terrified. But Atesse's face broke into a smile, and he said, "You see, I am right." Although Kadish and his wife were confused by the doctor's words, they remembered Kadish's promise and immediately prepared for the funeral. The doctor requested that a room be prepared to resemble heaven. The walls were hung with white silk, and the blinds were closed.