Patrick Hill, a researcher of Carleton University in Canada, has published a very significant study in the Psychological Science journal. His finding points out that a sense of purpose in life, and setting overarching goals to achieve that target may help us live longer, no matter what our age. He concludes that the earlier someone comes to a direction for life, the earlier its protective effects begin.
There’s a beautiful story of Rohini from the days of Gautama Buddha which proves this fact. On one occasion, Buddha’s disciple Anuruddha visited Kapilavastu. While he was staying at the monastery there, all his relatives, with the exception of his sister Rohini, came to see him. On learning from them that Rohini did not come because she was suffering from leprosy, he sent for her. Rohini came to see her brother, but covered her head in shame. Feeling very sorry for her sister, Anuruddha advised her to do some meritorious deed. He suggested that she should sell some of her jewellery, and with the money gained, to build a refectory for bhikkhus. Rohini agreed to do as she was told. Anuruddha also asked his other relatives to help in the construction of the hall. Further, he told Rohini to sweep the floor and fill the water-pots every day, even while the construction was on. She did as she was instructed and she began to get better. This inspired her to put her whole energy into this noble work. A miracle happened. Ninety per cent of her leprosy disappeared during this period when she was totally involved in this work. She was visualising bhikkhus meditating in the hall in the presence of the Buddha, their faces glowing with divine energy and she sitting in satsang with them. This visualisation transformed Rohini’s whole being.
When the construction of the hall was completed, the Buddha and his bhikkhus were invited for alms-food. After the meal, the Buddha asked for the donor of the building and alms-food, but Rohini was not there. The Buddha sent for her. When she came he asked her whether she knew why she was inflicted with this dreaded disease. She did not. Buddha told her that she had done an evil deed in one of her past lives.
Rohini was, at one time, the chief queen of the king of Varanasi. It so happened that the king had a favourite dancer and the chief queen was very jealous of her. The queen wanted to punish the dancer. Thus, one day, she had her attendants put some itching powder made from cow-hage pods in the dancer’s bed, her blankets, etc.
Next they called the dancer and, as though in jest, threw some itching powder on her. The girl itched all over and ran to her room and her bed, which made her suffer even more.
As a result of that evil deed Rohini had become a leper in this life. The Buddha then exhorted the congregation not to act foolishly in anger and not to bear any ill-will towards others.
Then the Buddha gave the following sutra to his bhikkhus: “Give up anger, abandon conceit, overcome all fetters. Ills of life (dukkha) do not befall one who does not cling to mind and body and is free from moral defilements.” At that moment, Rohini also attained total freedom — her skin disease disappeared, and her complexion became fair, smooth and very attractive.
Swami Chaitanya Keerti, editor of Osho World, is the author of Osho Fragrance
