“There’s and old story about a farmer who went to the Buddha seeking help for his problems. Either droughts or monsoons make his work difficult, he complained. What’s more, he grumbled, even though he loved his wife, there were certain things about her he wanted to change. Likewise his children – yes, he loved them, but they weren’t turning out quite the way he wanted.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t help you, “the Buddha told the farmer.
“What do you mean?” railed the farmer. “You’re supposed to be a great teacher!”
All human beings have 83 problems,” the Buddha replied. “A few problems may go away, but soon enough others will arise. So we’ll always have 83 problems.”
The farmer asked indignantly, “Then what’s the good of all your teaching?”
The Buddha answered, “My teaching can’t help with the 83 problems, but perhaps with the 84th problem.”
“What’s that?” asked the farmer.
“The 84th problem is that we don’t want to have any problems.”
Bayda, Ezra (May/June, 2002). Facing you monsters. Body and Soul, p. 44, 46, & 48.
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