The Buddhist Perspective on Cause and Condition

law of cause and condition.” It is like building a
house. We need bricks, wood, cement, and other
materials. <strong>The</strong> construction can only be completed
when one has all the essential materials and all prerequisites
are met. For example, if we want to throw a
party, there are many conditions to consider. Do we
know our guests well? Can they come? Can we find
the appropriate accommodations? Only when all the
proper causes and conditions are present can the party
be a success. If not, the party will be a flop.
Once, a rich man threw a party. When half of the
guests had already arrived, the chef asked if he could
start to serve. <strong>The</strong> man told him to wait a little bit
longer. After waiting a few hours, many important
guests still had not arrived. Impatient and irritated, he
complained carelessly, “Oh! It is not easy to throw a
party. Those who should have come have not; those
who should not have come are all here.”
His seated guests were shocked. <strong>The</strong>y thought to
themselves, “I guess I am not really invited. If I am
not welcome, I may as well go home.” One by one,
the guests quietly slipped away. Seeing the party was
dying, the rich man made another careless remark,
“Oh! It is not easy to throw a party. Those who should
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