Expert: Bodhicitta - 10/1/2007

Question
Hi. Recently a series of very coincidental things happened that my mother believes are the work of Buddha (she accepts a lot of Eastern beliefs at once along with a lot of New Age beliefs). One day we were walking along and saw a Buddha statue outside of a house with an old candle glass in front of him. I rubbed his belly and gave him a nickel and thought nothing of it.

Two days later we were at a movie event that gave you a free ticket if you brought in canned goods. We got our tickets and went to the book store to wait until our show started. I picked up a book called "you must be the change you want to see in the world" and a gift card with 25 dollars on it fell out. I gave it to my mother for an early birthday party. She bought a Buddha mini statue and a book that we found out later had a lot to do with Buddha.

What do you think? She thinks the gift card was like a thanks for my giving Buddha money, and that this is 'proven' by the fact that Buddha popped up later on afterwards with the book. Does Buddha 'reimburse' people for good deeds? I am not Buddhist (I am poly-atheistic), but I'm still very interested in theism of all types.

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Sonja
There are according to Buddhist beliefs auspicious coincidences that spread from the activity of the Buddha
and connecting with the Buddha. I can not tell you
if this was the case in the story you have told me. It sounds
a nice story. What you draw from this story is really
more upto you and what your hearts tell you.

But I can tell you by practicing the Buddha's path then
your life will become more mysterious
Bodhicitta