Throughout history, people have told stories about calamities that strike communities after moral values have declined.
In many traditional beliefs, disasters are not viewed merely as unfortunate events but also as reminders of humanity’s relationship with virtue, the divine, and the principles that govern life.
A Chinese folk tale When the Lion’s Eyes Turned Red reminds us of the importance of upholding our moral values and receiving divine protection.
In one village, the residents had become wicked and morally corrupt. Among them, however, lived an old woman who was devout, pious, and kind-hearted. She always helped those in need.
Out of compassion, Bodhisattva Guanyin wanted to give the villagers one last chance to save themselves before a great flood arrived. Disguised as a beggar, she wandered through the village asking for food. None of the villagers offered her anything, and some even humiliated her.
The old woman, however, treated the beggar with kindness. She gave her half of the bun she had left, saying she would offer the other half to Lord Buddha, whom she worshipped.
Pleased by the old woman’s kindness and devotion, Bodhisattva Guanyin revealed her true appearance. She warned the old woman that a great flood was imminent and would destroy the village. She also told her that when the eyes of the two stone lions turned red, the old woman must flee to the hilltop to save herself.
The old woman heeded the warning and immediately informed the villagers. But they were too arrogant to believe her and even mocked her. In an attempt to ridicule the old woman, a few young ruffians went ahead and painted the lions’ eyes red.
Seeing this, the old woman ran toward the hilltop, shouting for the villagers to follow her. Yet no one listened to her warning.
Soon, the great flood swept through the village, submerging it and drowning all its inhabitants.
When moral values of a community decline, the consequences can be serious, and the collective karma can bring calamities.
The villagers did not believe in the divine, nor did they heed the divine warning. They humiliated a stranger who came seeking help, and mocked the one person who tried to protect them. Their actions reveal a society in which compassion, humility, and respect have been lost.
Yet, even in such a society, not everyone follows the crowd. The old woman stands apart from the rest of the village. While others humiliate the disguised Bodhisattva, she offered food with kindness and generosity. Her actions reveal her character and values, regardless of how others behave. In the end, she was the only one who was saved.
Her example raises an important question: When those around us abandon moral values, do we have the courage to hold on to ours? We may not be able to change the people around us, but we can always stay true to our values.
The story also leaves us with a sobering question: When the divine offers a final chance to be saved, how many people can recognize it? Arrogance can make people dismiss warnings and believe they are superior to others. When people abandon moral values, they may fail to recognize the very warning that could have saved them.
The message of the story is not only about the danger of moral decline but also about the importance of reverence for the divine. When people cultivate virtue, kindness, humility, and respect for others, they create a society in which people can live in harmony and receive divine protection.
A society’s true strength lies not merely in its prosperity or material achievements, but in the moral character of its people. What people value, how they treat others, and whether they remain true to what is right may matter far more than material success.
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