Solution Or Dilemma

“There is a solution to any problem”, is the teaching of the Buddha. Is it true? Yes, absolutely, but we have to learn to find out the real cause of the problem, so that we can solve it. Otherwise we will fall upon another problem. Many times we think that we can solve the problem but we cause another problem by mistake. Here is a story which I would like to share with you. It serves as a good example for all of us so that we can solve the problem, not cause the problem. Here is the story:

There was once a farmer who planted a plantation of corn. That year, there was a good rain and he expected a good harvest. One day he saw a lot of grasshoppers and other insects destroy his corn. He was worried and thought, “I have to do something to solve this problem. Otherwise, my corn will be completely destroyed”. Then he bought frogs and set them free in the plantation. The frogs killed all grasshoppers and insects. But there was another problem arising as a number of the frogs increased.

The large number of the frogs worried the farmer, so he found a way to solve the problem. He consulted with his close friend. He advised him to bring a poisonous snake and the snake would eat the frogs. It was true when he brought the sake, all the frogs were eaten. The snake did a very good job, and spread its power all over the place which brought worry to the farmer. Because the snakes conquered the area, one day the farmer was bitten by the snake and died.

In the story, it seems that the farmer was silly. However, it gives us cause for thought. It reflects that sometimes we may be like the farmer who tried to solve the problem in daily life. But the solution, we may think is proper, turns to a problem. So we must think twice; and try and ascertain what the consequence will be.

Have we ever thought of these consequences?

Love, which we long for, will turn to hate, jealousy, and heart-break which will distress us later.

The good job which we want, takes all our time and can turn out to be our biggest burden.

Money or fortune, which we desire, can turn out to be our biggest anxiety or concern.

Fame or respect, which we think can fulfill our desires, can turn out to be a cause of suffering because it brings about egoism and attachment to life.

Therefore, we have to think over whether it is real solution or dilemma.