Your Thirst Is Your Path a Buddha story

Once, Gautama Buddha was staying in a village. A man came to him and said,“You always say that every person can attain liberation (moksha). Then why does not every person attain moksha?”

Buddha replied, “My friend, do one thing. Go to the village and ask everyone what they want. Make a list. Write each person’s name and write in front of it what their desire is.”

The man went to the village. There were a few people in that village. He asked each one of them. Everyone gave their answers. He returned in the evening and gave the list to Buddha.

Buddha asked, “How many people in this list desire moksha?”

The man was very surprised. Not a single person had written moksha among their desires.

Buddha said, “Every person can attain moksha — that is what I say. But I do not say that every person wants to attain it.”

To be capable of attaining something and to truly want it are two very different things.

key Teaching :

If we truly desire something, we will definitely get it. We find a way, and if a way is not available, we create one.