85. THE GOLDSMITH

108 Buddhist Parables

A goldsmith uses tongs and a furnace to melt gold. If he constantly makes the fire too hot, the gold will get too hot. If he constantly sprays too much water on it, the gold will not be hot enough. If he constantly takes it out to examine it, it will never become refined. However, if he does all these things at their suitable time, and he knows the nature of gold, he will have no problem at all in molding and refining it. Just like that, any practitioner needs to attend to these three qualities: focus, determination, and composure. If he properly attends to these things at the right time and circumstance, his mind will become brilliant, and pure, just like gold.

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All parables in printed book format: 108 Buddhist Parables and Stories