Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:20:25 +0800

zen4859 — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:20:25 +0800

A man Named Bad - (Self-Acceptance)

Once Upon a time, there was a world-famous teacher in Takkasila in northwestern India. He had 500 students, all of upper class upbringing, who learned the sacred teachings from him.

It happened that one of these students had been given the name 'Bad' by his parents. "When I am told: ' Come, Bad', 'Go, Bad', 'Do this, Bad', it is not nice for me or others. It even sounds disgraceful and unlucky," he thought one day.

So he went to his teacher and asked him to help change his name to something that is more pleasant and would bring him good fortune. "Go, my son, go wherever you like and find a more fortunate name. When you return, I will officially give you your new name," said the teacher.

Taking the advice of his teacher, Bad left the city and travelled from village to village until he came to a big city. A man had just died and Bad asked what his name was. "His name was Alive," replied the people who lived in that city. "What, Alive iss dead?" asked Bad. And the people answered: "Whether a person is called Dead or Alive, he will still have to die someday. A name is merely a word used to identify a person. Only a fool would not know this!" When Bad heard this, he no longer thought badly about his own name, but he didn't feel good about it either.

As he continued on his way, he saw a slave girl being beaten by her masters. "Why is she being beaten?" he asked. "She is a slave until she pays a debt to he masters," the others replied. "She did not bring her wages home from work to pay as interest on he debt." "What is her name?" Bad asked again. "Her name is Rich," they told him. "Her name is Rich, but she has not money to even pay interest of her debt?" Bad queried once more. "It doesn't matter if she is called Rich or Poor. In any case, she has no money. A name only serves to identify a person. Only a fool would not know this!" they rebuked. After hearing this, Bad became even less interested in changing his name.

After leaving the city, along the roadside, he met aman who had lost his way. "What is your name?" he asked the man. "My name is Tourguide," replied the stranger. "You mean to say that even a Tourguide will get himself lost?" asked Bad. And the man answered:"It doesn't matter if I'm named Tourguide or Tourist. In any case, I have lost my way. A name merely serves to identify a person. Only a fool would not know this!"

Now completely satisfied with his own name, Bad returned to his teacher.

"How, my son, have you found yourself a good name?" asked the world-famous teacher of Takkasila, "Sir, I have discovered that death comes to Alive and Dead alike, that Rich and Poor may be both penniless, and that both Tourguide and Tourist can get lost," he answered. "Now I realise that a name is merely a word used to identify a person. It does not govern the destinyof a person. The name does not make things happen, only deeds do. I's satisfied with my name. There's no point in changing it."

The teacher summarised the lesson that his student had learnt - "By seeing Alive as Dead, Rich as poor, Tourguide as lost, Bad has accepted himself."

THE MORAL IS - "A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet."

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:18:54 +0800

zen4859 — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:18:54 +0800

A Man Named Wise - (Cheating)

Once upon a time, the Bodhisattva was born into a merchants' family in Benares. He was given the name Wise. When he grew up, he did business with a man call Very Wise.

One day, Wise and Very Wise took a caravan of 500 bullock carts to the countryside. After they had sold all their wares, they returned to Benares with their handsome profits.

When it was time to split their gains between them, Very Wise said: "I should get twice as much profit as you." "Why?" asked Wise. "Because you are Wise and I am Very Wise. It is obvious that Wise should get only half as much as Very Wise."

"Didn't we both invest equal amounts in this caravan trip? Why do you deserve twice the amount of profit compared to me?" asked Wise. "This is because of my quality of being Very Wise," he replied. Their quarrel went on with no end in sight.

Then Very Wise thought of a plan to win this argument. He went to his father and asked him to hide inside huge, hollow tree."When my partner and I come by and ask how we should share our profits, you should say:'Very Wise deserves a double share'," he instructed his father.

With that, Very Wise returned to Wise."My friend, neither of us wants this quarrel.So let's go to the old sacred tree and ask the tree spirit to settle it," he suggested.

"My lord tree spirit, we have a problem. Kindly solve it for us," said Very Wise solemnly when they reached the tree. Hiding inside the hollow tree, Very Wise's father disguised his voice and asked: "What is your question?" "My lord tree spirit, this man is Wise and I am Very Wise. We have done business together. Tell us how we should share our profits," asked the dishonest man. Disguising his voice again, his father responded: "Wise deserves a single share and Very Wise deserves a double share."

Hearing this, Wise decided to find out if it really was a tree spirit speaking inside the tree, so he threw some hay into it and set it on fire. Immediately, Very Wise's father grabbed onto a branch, jumped out of the flames and fell onto the ground. "Although my son's name is Very Wise, he is just a clever cheater. I'm luck that the one named Wise is really so, and I've escaped only half toasted!"

Then Wise and Very Wise shared their profits equally. Eventually both died and were reborn as they deserved.

THE MORAL IS - A Cheater may be clever but not wise.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:56:10 +0800

zen4859 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:56:10 +0800

Clear-sighted the Great, King of the World - (Impermanence)

It is said that there are two ways to practise religion. One is to live apart from the ordinary, everyday world as monk, a nun or a holy one. Those who are earnest in this way have, as their highest goal, the direct experience of complete Truth or full Eenlightenment.

The second is to practise it within the ordinary world. Those who are sincere in this way have, as their highest goal, the harmony of an undivided world, in which people live peacefully under a perfectly wholesome ruler - a 'King of the World'.

Long, long ago, the Bodhisattva was born and given the name 'Clear-sighted'. When he grew up, he developed ten rules of good government. They were absense of hidden ill-will, absence of open hostility, harmlessness, self-control, patience, gentleness, charity, generosity, straightforwardness and goodness.

Soon, the people of the world began to notice the wholesomeness and fairness of Clear-sighted, for he lived strictly according to these rules. Gradually those in his vicinity volunteered to live under his authority as the king, rather than under the dishonest politicians of that time.

As his good name spread far and wide, every king in the world came to Clear-sighted and said:"Come, oh lord, You are welcome to my kingdom, for my kingdom is your kingdom. Please advise me how to rule in your name."

And Clear-sighted would always reply: "Do not destroy life. Do not take what is not given. Do not behave wrongly in sexual desires. Do not speak falsely. Do not take alcohol that clouds the mind. My commands to the world are only these five. As long as these five are obeyed, my sixth rule is freedom for all to follow local customs and religions.

Eventually all the people on earth came to live under his peaceful rule, and he was known as Clear-sighted the Great, King of the World. His royal city, the capital of the whole world, was called Kusavati. It was a beautiful and prosperous city with four magnificent gates - a golden gate, a silver gate, a jade gate and a crystal gate.

Outside these gates, Kusavati was surrounded by seven rows of palms trees - the first, arow with golden trunks and silver leaves and fruits, the second, a row with silver trunks and golden leaves and fruits, the third, a row with cat's-eye trunks and crystal leaves and fruits, the fourth, a row with crystal trunks and cat's-eye leaves and fruits, the fifth, a row with agate trunks and coral leaves and fruits, the sixth, a row with coral trunks and agate leaves and fruits, and finally a row with trunks and leaves and fruits of every kind of jewel found in the world!

When the breezes blew through these marvellous trees, the sweet sounds of gentle music can be heard throughout the city. This music was so enticing and pleasant that some of the citizens wre enchanted into stopping their work and dancing for joy.

Clear-sighted the Great, King of the World, had a couch encrusted with jewels from these wonderful trees. After a long, righteous and peaceful reign, he lay on the magnificent couch for the last time. He knew that his end was near.

Of all his 84,000 queens, the one who loved him most was called 'Most Pleasant'. Sensing his state of mind, she said: "You rule over all the cities of the world, including this beautiful Kusavati with its four wondrous gates and seven rows of astonishing palms trees. Think about this and be happy!"

"No, my dear queen, don't say that. Instead you should advise me to give up attachment to the cities of the world and all that they contain," replied the King of the World. Surprised, she asked : "Why do you say this, my lord?" Because today, I will die," he said.

When Queen Most Pleasant heard this, she started crying, wiping away the tears as they flowed. All the other 84,000 queens also broke into tears. Even the king's ministers and his whole court of both men and women wept and sobbed. All eyes were filled with tears.

However, King Clear-sighted the Great said :"Your tears are useless. Be at peace." Hearing this, the wailing subsided and his subjects became silent. The he turned to the Queen Most Pleasant with these words:"Oh my queen, do not cry, do not lament. Anything that comes into being, be it a kingdom including the whole world, or just a tiny sesame seed, cannot last forever. Anyone who is born, no matter who he is - whether he is the King of the World, or the poorest petty thief - must die and decay one day. Whatever is compounded would fall apart. Whatever comes into being would decay. The only true happiness is in the moment when there is no birth or death."

In this way, the Bodhisattva led them to contemplate about what most people avoided - that all things invariably come to an end. He advised them to be generous and wholesome. Then the King of the World, like everyone else, passed away. For all his meritorious acts, he was reborn as a god in a heavenly world.

THE MORAL IS - All things, good or bad, come to an end eventually.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:38:51 +0800

zen4859 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:38:51 +0800

The Holy Man who Tried to Be Extremely Holy - ( Extremism)

Once upon a time, the Bodhisattva lived in a world where most religions were very similar. They taught that the way to remove suffering from the mind was to make the body suffer instead. As strange as it might seem, most people thought that the holiest of the holy ones were those who tortured their bodies the most! Since everyone seemed to agree with this, the Bodhisattva decided to find out for himself if it was true.

He renounced his lifestyle as an ordinary, mundane person and instead became a holy man according to the custom of his times. This meant that he had to give up everything, even his clothes. So he went naked, with his body caked only by dust and dirt. He also forced himself to eat only garbage such as dirt, ashes, urine and cow dung.

In order not to be interrupted by anyone so that he could concentrate on his practice, he lived alone in the most dangerous part of the forest. If he bumped into any human being, he ran away like a timid deer.

In the winter, he spent his days under the trees and his nights out in the open. Hence, he was soaked by the cold water dripping from the icicles hanging from the tree branches during the day and covered by falling snow at night. In this way, he made his body suffer the most extreme cold day in and out during winter.

In the summer, he spent his days out in the open and his nights under the trees. Thus in the daytime, he sunburned by the most severe rays, and at night, he was blocked by the trees from the few cooling breezes of the open air. In this way, he made his body endure the most extreme heat both day and night in the summer.

That was how he struggled, trying to bring peace to his mind. He was so determined that he lived his entire lift in this way.

Then, just as he was about to die, he saw a vision of himself being reborn in the realms of hell. The vision struck him like a bolt of lightning! He realised that very instant that all the extreme ways in which he had tortured his body were completely useless and could not bring peace of mind to one. Lo and behold, as he gave up his false beliefs and held onto the truth, he died and was reborn in a heavenly world!

THE MORAL IS - Even at the very last moment, "the truth can set you free".

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:24:52 +0800

zen4859 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:24:52 +0800

The Careless Lion (Circumspection)

Once upon a time, when the world has yet to hear and understand about the Five Precepts, there was a very wealthy man in

Benares who owned a large herd of cattle. These cows were looked after by a herdsman hired by the wealthy man.

As the rice paddies were overfilled with budding rice plants, the herdsman took the cattle to the forest to graze. In addition, he was also responsible for bringing milk, butter and cheese to the rich man in Benares from time to time.

In this storym a ferocious lion happened to live near the forest that the herdsman went to. The presence of the predator kept the cattle in constant fear. The poor frightened cows were so tense and high-strung that they barely gave any milk.

One day, the owner of the cattle questioned the herdsman over the small quantities of milk, butter and cheese that he was bring to him. "Sir, cows need to be calm and contented before they could produce plenty of milk. As there was a lion that stayed near the forest, your cows are always tense and afraid. So they hardly produce any milk," he explained.

"I see," replied the rich man. "Is there a particular animal that the lion is especiallly fond of?" he asked. "Yes, sir, there is a certain doe that the lion is fond of," answered the herdsman.

"Capture that deer and rub poision all over its body. Keep it a day or two before releasing it," instructed the rich man. "Out of love for the doe, the lion will lick her and be poisoned. When the lio dies, bring its body to me. Then my cows will be safe and happy again to give their usual amount of milk," the rich man said.

The herdsman carried out his boss's orders. As predicted by the rich man, the lion was so overjoyed when it saw its favourite minideer that it threw all caution to the wind and began licking her excitedly. Due to its carelessness and passion, the poor lion fell into the poisonous trap and died on the spot.

THE MORAL IS - It is good to be cautious at all times.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:08:00 +0800

zen4859 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:08:00 +0800

The Mystery of the Missing Necklace (Chapter 2. The Mystery is Solved)

Meanwhile, the royal minister who happened to be the reincarnated Bodhisattva had seen and heard all that had taken place place in the pleasure garden. He realised that the mystery of the stolen necklace could only be solved by careful investigation. Jumping to conclusions would only lead to the wrong answers, so he started examining and analysing the situation in hi mind.

"The necklace was lost from inside the pleasure garden, but the poor villager was captured outside the garden. There were strongs guards at each gate. Therefore, the villager couldn't have entered the garden to steal the necklace. Likewise, no one inside the garden could have gone out through the guarded gates with the stolen necklace. So it couldn't have been anyone from inside or outside that went away with the necklace!"

"The villager who was accused first must have named the Chief Financial Adviser to save himself. And the Chief Financial Adviser must have thought that it would be easier for him if the Royal Teacher Priest was involved. The priest, on the other hand, must have put the blame on the Official Court Musician thinking that music would allow their time in the palace dungeon to pass more pleasantly, and the Official Court Musician probably pointed his finger at the Prostitute as he thought that she would remove the misery of prision life if she was locked up with him."

"After careful analysis, it is easy to see that all five suspects must be innocents. Besides, the garden is full of monkeys that are known to cause mischief. The necklace must have fallen into the hands of one of the female monkeys.

So he went to the king and said: "Your Majesty, if you hand the suspects over to me, I will do the investigation for you." "By all means, my wise minister," replied the king, " and conduct the examination."

With the king's approval, the minister called for his servants and instructed them to keep the five suspects together in one place. "Keep a close watch over them, listen to everything they say and report it all to me."

Whe the five prisoners thought they were alone, they began to talk freely to one another. "You little crook! We have never seen each other before, so how could you have given me the stolen necklace?" the Chief Financial Adviser scolded the poor villager.

"My lord and most exalted adviser to the great king, I have never owned anything valuable, note even a broken-down bed or chair. And I certainly have not seen the necklace nicknamed 'Most Precious'! I don't know what you people were talking about, but out of fear, I mentioned you in the hope that a person who is as important as you could free both of us. Please, my lord, don't be angry with me."

"You see, this man admits that he has not given it to you, so how could you have given it to me? snapped the Royal Teacher Priest to the Chief Financial Adviser. "We are both high-ranking officials, I thought if we got together and backed each other up, we could settle this matter," answered the Adviser.

"Oh Royal Teacher Priest, why did you drag me into this whole fiasco? When did you ever give the queen's pearl necklace to me?" cried the Official Court Musician. "I thought that if you were imprisoned with me," explained the priest, " your music would make life in prison much more pleasant. That's why I lied."

Then the woman barked at the Official Court Musician: "You miserable wretch! I have never visited you nor you to me. We have never met each other before, so could you possibly have given me the stolen 'Most Precious'?" "Oh dear young lady, please don't be mad at me. I only accused you so that when five of us are imprisoned together, your presence will cheer us up and make all of us happy,A" pacified the musician.

As the prostitute was the only one who had answered the king's question truthfully, there was no one to accuse her of shifting the blame.

As instructed, the wise minister's servants had been eavesdropping on the entire conversation all this while. When they reported what they had heard to him, he realised that his suspicion was confirmed - some female monkey must have taken the necklace. "I must come up with a plan to get it back," he thought.

First, he had a bunch of cheap imitation jewel ornaments made. Then he had several she-monkeys captured from the royal pleasure garden, and decorated them with the imitation ornaments - necklaces on their necks, and bracelets on their wrists and ankles. Only when the monkeys are fully bedecked were they released back into the garden. The minister then ordered his servants to keep a close watch on all the she-monkeys. "When you catch sight of any monkey with the missing pearl necklace, you're to frightened her into dropping it," he instructed.

The she-monkey that had taken 'Most Precious' was still guarding it in the hollow of the tree when the other female monkeys strutted back and forth taunting her. "See how fine we look with all these beautiful necklaces and bracelets," they flaunted. She couldn't stand seeing how proud the other she-monkeys were. "Those are nothing but worthless beads," she exclaimed. And to show them that hers was even more beautiful, she put on the 'Most Precious' necklace of real pearls on her own neck.

Immediately, the servants frightened her into dropping it. Then they took the necklace to their master, the wise minister. "Your Majesty, here is the missing pearl necklace," he said as he returned the necklace to the king. "None of the five who admitted to the crime was really a thief. Instead, it was taken by a greedy little she-monkey living in your pleasure garden," he continued.

"How did you know that it was taken by a she-monkey? And how did you get it back?" asked the king in amazement. So the minister related the whole story to the king.

"You're certainly the right person for the job. In times of need, it it the wise ones who are most appreciated," nodded the king. Then the king rewarded him immensely by showering him with a heavy rain of the seven valuables - gold, silver,pearls,jewels,lapis lazuli, diamonds and coral.

THE MORAL IS - Theft is committed through greed, lies are spoken out of fear, but with careful examination, the truth can be revealed.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:03:28 +0800

zen4859 — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:03:28 +0800

The Mystery of the Missing Necklace (Chapter 1. One Crimes Leads to Another)

Once upon a time, when King Brahmadatta ruled Benares in northern India, the Bodhisattva became one of his ministers when he had completed his education.

One day, the king together with his harem and the ladies-in-waiting went on an outing to his pleasure garden. They toured around many parts of the lovely park before they chanced upon a beautiful clear pond that was located near a cool forest. Seeing the inviting sparkling waters, the king decided to go for a swim. So he dived into the pond. He also invited all the ladies of the harem to join him in the refreshing pond.

Giggling, the ladies took off al their ornaments and jewellery, starting from their heads, necks, ears , then their wrists, fingers, waists, ankles and toes. Then they handed all these over, along with their outer garments, to their girl servants for safekeeping before joing King Brahmadatta in the pond.

It happened that the king had given a very valuable pearl necklace to one of his favourite queens as a gift. She was so fond of that particular necklace that she gave it a pet name - 'Most Precious'.

Meanwhile, a curious she-monkey had been observing King Brahmadatta and his royal ladies from the branch of a nearby tree when they were enjoying a dip in the cool waters. Peering between the luscious green leaves, she caught sight of the 'Most Precious' pearl necklace. Her eyes almost popped out of her head when she glimpsed the necklace!

Never had she seen such a magnificent necklace! Imagining how grand she would look wearing the queen's beautiful necklace, she patiently watched the servant who was guarding it, for the she-monkey hopes to have a chance of snatching over the necklace. In the beginning, the girl guarded it very carefully,but the heat of the day soon made her drowsy. When the she-monkey saw that the servant was snoozing, she swung down from the tree as quick as the wind. In a flash, she grabbed the necklace, put it around her neck, and ran back up the tree.

Afraid that the other monkeys would see it, the little thief hid the gleaming pearl necklace in the hollow of a tree. then she sat guarding her look silently and looking as innocent as a baby!

A minute or two later, the servant woke up from her nap. When she realised that the necklace was missing, she yelled out in terror: "Help! Help! Someone had taken the queen's pearl necklace - the one call 'Most Precious'!"

After hearing what the servant had to say, the guards went and reported the theft to the king. "Catch the thief," ordered the king. Frightened of the king's wrath, the guards dashed madly around the pleasure garden, searching high and low for the thief.

A poor man happened to walk by outside the garden at the same time the commotion inside the garden started. He was on his way back to his remote home village after paying his meagre taxes to the royal treasury. the frenzy and upheaval inside the garden scared him and he started running.

Unfortunately, the guards saw him running. "That must be the thief!" they shouted to one another, and so rushed through the garden gate and captured the innocent man easily after a short chase. "You are a bad thief! Confess that you robbed the queen's pearl necklace, the one that call 'Most Precious'," they yelled as they beat up the poor man.

"If I say that I didn't take it, these men will beat me to death for sure. But if I confess, they will have to take me to the king," thought the poor man. So he confessed to the 'crime' and the guards handcuffed him and hauled him off to the king.

After being told of the man's confession, the king asked: "So where is the 'Most Precious' necklace now? What have you done with it?"

"My Majesty, I'm a very poor man indeed. I have never owned anything of value, not a 'Most Precious' bed or a 'Most Precious' chair, and certainly not a 'Most Precious' pearl necklace in all my life. It was Your Majesty's own Chief Financial Adviser who make me steal the necklace. And I have given it to him. He alone knows where it is now," replied the prisoner who was somewhat a clever fellow.

Hearing this, King Brahmadatta summoned his Chief Financial Adviser and asked: "Did you take the 'Most Precious' necklace from this man?" "Yes, my lord," he answered. "Whre is it now?" asked the king. "I gave it to the Royal Teacher Priest."

So the king summoned the Royal Teacher Priest and asked him about the stolen necklace. "I gave it to the Official Court Musician," claimed the priest.

Next, the Official Court Musician was summoned and questioned. "I gave it to a high-class prostitute."

When she was identified and brought to the king's presence, he demanded to know what she had done with the queen's pearl necklace, but only she alone replied honestly: "Your Majesty, I don't know anything about a pearl necklace!"

"Let us continued this investigation tomorrow," said the king when he noticed that sun was setting. He handed the five suspects over to his ministers and returned to his palace for the night.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:30:56 +0800

zen4859 — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:30:56 +0800

One-Way Hospitality - (Ingratitude)

Once upon a time, there were two merchants who wrote letters back and forth to each other. They have never met each other face to face as one lived in Benares and the other lived in a remote village near the borders.

One day, the country merchant sent a large caravan to Benares. It had 500 carts loaded with fruits, vegetables and other products. He told his workers to trade all these goods with the help of the Benares merchant.

When they arrived at the big city, they went directly to the Benares merchant. They gave him gifts that they had bought. He was pleased and invited them to stay in his own home. He even gave them money for their living expenses and treated them with the very best hospitality. He also asked about the well-being of the country merchant and gave them gifts to bring back to him. Since it was easier for a local person to get a good price, he ensured that all their goods were fairly traded. They returned home and told their master of the kindness and the hospitality that the Benares merchant had shown them.

Some time later, the Benares merchant, too, sent a caravan of 500 carts to the border village. His workers also brought gifts to the country merchant.

"Where do you come from?" asked the country merchant when the caravan had arrived. They said they had been sent by the Benares merchant, the one who wrote him letters.

Taking the gifts, the country merchant laughed in av ery discourteous way and said: "Anyone could say that they come from the Benares merchant!" Then he sent them away, giving them no place to stay, no gifts and no help at all.

The caravan workers went downtown to the marketplace and did the best they could in trading without local help. They returned to Benares and told their master what had happened.

Before long, the country merchant sent another caravan of 500 carts to Benares. Again his workers took gifts to the Benares merchant. When the workers of the Benares merchant saw them coming, they said to him: "We know just how to be hospitable to these people."

The Benare workers took the country workers outside the city walls to a good place to camp for the night. They said that they would return to Benares, prepare food and get money for them.

Instead, they rounded up all their fellow workers and returned to the campsite in the middle of the night. They robbed all 500 carts, including the worker's out garments. They chased away the bullocks, removed and carried off the carts wheels.

The country workers were terrified. They ran back home as fast as their legs could carry them.

The city merchant's workers, on the other hand, told their boss all that they had done. "Those who forget gratitude and ignore simple hospitality end up getting what they deserve. Those who do not appreciate the help that they have received soon find that no one will help them anymore," said the Benares merchant.

THE MORAL IS - If you don't help others, you can't expect them to help you.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:10:08 +0800

zen4859 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:10:08 +0800

The Phoney Holy Man - (Hypocrisy)

Once upon a time, there was man who looked and acted just like a holy man. He wore nothing but rags, had long matted hair, and relied on a little village to support him. But he was actually a sneaky and tricky man who only pretended to give up attachment for the worldly life. He was, what you would call, a phoney holy man.

A wealthy man living in the village wanted to ain merit by doing good deeds. So he had a simple little temple built in nearby forest fo the holy man to live in. He also offered his finest foods to the phoney holy man.

He mistakenly thought that the phoney holy man was a sincere, good, pure and upright spiritual teacher who would not do anything that was unwholesome. Since he was afraid of bandits, he took his family fortune of 100 gold coins to the little temple. He buried it under the ground and said to the holy man: "Venerable one, please look after my family fortune."

"You do not have to worry. As the holy ones, we have given up the attachment to the ordinary world. We have no greed or desire to obtain the possessions of others," replied the holy man.

"Very well, venerable one," said the man who left thinking that he was wise indeed to trust such a good holy man.

"Aha! These 100 gold coins are enough to support me for the rest of my life! I will never have to work or beg again!" thought the wicked holy man. So he dug up the gold a few days later and secretly buried it near the roadside.

The next day, as usual the phoney holy man had his lunch at the home of the wealthy villager. After eating his fill, he said: "Most honourable gentelman, I have lived here, and had been supported by you for so long time, but the holy ones who have given yp the worldly life are not supposed to become too attached to any one village or supporter. It would make a holy man like me impure! Therefore, kindly permit me to humbly go on my way."

"Venerable sir, please do not leave," the rich man pleaded with him. BUt it was futile. Finally, the rich man agreed and said: "Go then, venerable sir if that is your wish." He accompanied him to as far as the boundary of the village to send him off.

But after walking for a while by himself, the fake holy man thought: "I must absolutely make sure that the stupid villager does not suspect me. He trusts me so much that he will believe anything, so I will deceive him with a clever trick!" He, then, stuck a blade of dry grass in his matted hair and went back.

Dear Venerable, why have you come back?" asked the wealthy villager when he saw the phonely holy man in the village again. "Dear friend, this blade of grass from the thatched roof of your house was stuck to my hair. It is most unwholesome and impure for a holy on such as myself to 'take what is not given'," replied the phoney holy man. "So, I came back to return it to you."

"Think nothing of it, your reverence, Please put it down and continue on your way. Venerable ones such as your goodself do not even take a blade of grass that belongs to another. How marvellous! How exalted you are, the purest of the holy ones. How lucky I am to have been able to support you!" exclaimed the villager in amazement. Most trusting than ever, he bowed respectfully and sent the phoney holy man on his way again.

It happened that the Bodhisattva who was reborn as a trader in that life had stopped by the village in the midst of a trading trip. he had overheard the entire conversation between the villager and the phoney holy man and thought it ridiculous. "This man must have stolen something far more valuable that the blade of dry grass that he make such a big show of returning the grass to its rightful owner," thought the trader.

"Friend, did you give something to this holy-looking man for safekeeping?" asked the trader to the wealthy villager. "Yes, friend, I did. I trusted him to guard my family fortune of 100 gold coins," he replied. "Then, I advise you to go and check if they are still at the place where you left them." said the trader.

Worried, the wealthy villager ran tothe forest temple immediately, dug up the ground, and found his treasure gone. He rushed back to the trader and said: "It has been stolen!" "Friend," he replied, "No one but that so-called-holy man could have taken it. Let's catch him and get your treasure back."

They both chased after him as fast as they could. When they caught up with him, they made him tell them where he had hidden the money. They went to the hiding place by the roadside and dug up the buried treasure.

Looking at the gleaming old, the Bodhisattva said: "You are a hypocritical holy man. You spoke beautiful words - that one is not to 'take what is note given' - so well and admirably. You hesitated to leave with even a blade of grass that didn't belong to you, yet it was so easy for you to steal a hundred gold coins!" After the trader had lectured the phoney holy man on how he had behaved, he advised him to change his ways for his own good.

THE MORAL IS - Be careful of a holy man who puts on a big show.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:43:57 +0800

zen4859 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:43:57 +0800

A Priest Who Worshipped Luck - (Superstition)

Once upona time, the Bodhisattva was born into an upper-class family in north western India. When he grew up, he realised that the pleasures of the ordinary life could not give him lasting happiness. So he renounced his worldly life and became a forest monk in the Himalayas. With intensive meditation, he gained wisdom, insight and peace-of-mind.

One day, he decided to leave the forests for the city of Rajagaha. When he arrived, he stayed over at the king's pleasure garden. And when dawn came, walked into the city to collect alms food.

It happened that the king saw him when he was on his way to collect alms. The king was exceedingly pleased with his humble and dignified attitude, and so invited the holy man to his palace. The king offered him a seat and gave him the best foods to eat. Then the king invited him to live in his royal garden for good. The holy man agreed, and from that very day onwards, lived in the king's pleasure garden and took his meals in the palace.

At that time, there lived a priest called 'Lucky Cloth' in the city. He had the habit of examining a piece of cloth to predict if one had good or bad luck.

One day, after his bath, he asked his servant to bring out from his chest a set of new suit. The servant found that the clothes had been slightly chewed by mice, and quickly informed the priest about it.

"This isn't good. It is dangerous to keep clothes that have been chewed by mice in the house. This is a foreboding sign that a curse would destroy my home. I can't even give them to my children or servants, for that means the curse will still lurk around in my house!" thought Lucky Cloth.

"In fact, I can't give these jinxed clothes to anyone. The best thing I can do is get rid of them once and for all by throwing them away where corpses are placed for wild animals to eat."

"But how can I do that? If I tell a servant to do it, he might keep these new clothes secretly, and the curse will remain in my household. I can only entrust this task to my son."

He called his son to him and told him all about the curse of the clothes that were slightly chewed by mice. He even told his son not to touch the garment with his hand but to carry them on stick and fling them where the corpses lay. Then he must wash himself clean from head-to-toe before returning home.

The son obeyed his father. When he arrived at the corpse grounds, carrying the clothes on a stick, he ound the holy man sitting by the gate. When the boy threw away the cursed suit, the hold man picked it up. He examined it saw the tiny teeth marks made by the mice, but since they were hardly noticeable, he took the suit with him back to the royal garden.

After he had bath, the boy told the father what had happened. "This cursed suit wil bring great harm to the king's favourite holy man. I must warn him," thought the priest. With that, he quickly left his house and went to look for the holy man at the royal garden. "Holy man, please throw away the unlucky clothes that you have taken! It is cursed and will bring harm to you!" he said.

However, the holy man only calmly replied: "No, no, what others throw away is a blessing to me! As forest meditators, we are not seers of good and bad luck. All Buddhas and Enlightened Beings have given up superstitions about luck. Anyone who is wise should do the same. No one knows the future for sure!"

Hearing about the truly wise and Enlightened Ones made the priest realised just how foolish he had been. From then on, he gave up his many superstitions and followed the teachings of the humble holy man.

THE MORAL IS - A fool's curse can be wise man's blessing.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:55:24 +0800

zen4859 — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:55:24 +0800

Lesson From a Snake - (The Value of Goodness)

Once upon time, King Brahmadatta of Benares had a very valuable adviser priest. He came from a rich, noble family and was an intelligent and knowledgeble person. He was also very generous, and very giving with his wealth and knowledge. People thought of him as a kind and good person.

He also trained his mind to avoid the five unwholesome actions by practising the Five Precepts. He discovered that giving up each unwholesome action made him a better person. To Practise the Five Precepts, you avoid:

destroying life, since you have to kill part of yourself in order to kill someone else,

taking what is not given, since this makes the owner angry at you,

doing wrong in sexual ways, since this leads to the pain of jealousy and envy,

speaking falsely, since you can't be true to yourself and false to another at the same time,

losing your mind from alcohol drinking, as you might hurt yourself by committing the other four unwholesome

actionss while in an intoxicated state.

"This is a truly good man," thought King Brahmadatta when he saw how his adviser lived.

The priest was curious to learn more about the value of goodness. "The king honours and respects me more than his other priests, but I wonder what it is about me that he really respects most. Is it my nationality? My noble birth? Or my family wealth? Is it my great learning and vast knowledge? Or is it because of my goodness? I must find the answer to this," he thought. Therefore, he decided to carry out an experiment in order to get an answer. He would pretend to be a thief!

On the next day, when he was leaving the palace, he stopped by at the royal coin maker. The coin maker was stamping out coins from gold. The good priest, not intending to keep it, took a coin and continued walking out of the palace. As the money maker admired the famous priest highly, he kep quiet and said nothing.

On the following day, the priest took another two more gold coins. Again, the royal coin maker did not protest.

Finally, on the third day, the king's favourite priest grabbed a whole handful of gold coins. This time, the money maker didn't care about the priest's position or reputation. "This is the third time that you have stolen from His Majesty, the king." he cried out. Holding onto him, he shouted for all to hear, "I've caught the thief who robs the king! I've caught the thief who robs the king! I've caught the thief who robs the king!"

"Aha! You only pretended to be better than us! What an example of goodness," yelled the crowd that suddently appeared. They slapped him, tied his hands behind his back and hauled him off to the king.

However, on their way to the palace, they happened to pass by a few snake charmers who were entertaining some bystanders from the king's court with a poisonous cobra. They held it by the tail and neck, and coiled the snake around thier own necks to show how brave they were.

"Please be careful! Don't grab that cobra by the tail. Don't grip it by its neck, and don't coil that poisonous snake around your own necks. It may bite you and bring your lives to a sudden end!" warned the priest who was tightly bound.

"You ignorant priest, you don't understand this cobra at all. This is a good and very well-behaved snake. It is not wicked like you! You're a thief who has stolen from the king, and because of your misconduct and criminal behaviour, you are being carried off with your hands bound behind your back. But there's no need to tie up a snake that is good!" the snake charmers said.

"Your Majesty, this the the thief who stole from your royal treasury," said the crowd to the king when they arrived at the royal palace. "Then punish him according to the law," answered the king.

"Your Majesty, I am not a thief!" exclaimed the adviser priest. "Then why did you take the gold coins without permission?" asked the king.

The priest explained: "I have done this only as an experimentn. I carried out this experiment to find out why you honour and respect me more than the others. Is it because of my family background and wealth? Or my great knowledge? Or do you respect my goodness most of all? I was able to get away with taking one or two gold coins because of my reputation and background. But it is clear that grabbing a handful of coins, I was no longer seen as a good and wholesome person. This alone turned respect into disgrace!"

"Even a poisonous cobra that doesn't harm anyone is seen as 'good'. There is not need for any other title!'

To emphasise the lesson that he had learnt, the wise priest recited:

"A good birth, wealth and even vast knowledge, I find,

Are less admired, by humankind, that goodness is."

Hearing that, the king pardoned his most valuable adviser priest. Still, the priest asked for the king's permission to leave his service and become a forest monk. After refusing several times, the king eventually relented, and the priest left for the Himalayas wher he meditated peacefully. When he died, he was reborn in a heavenly world.

THE MORAL IS - People prize goodness of heart most of all.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:02:12 +0800

zen4859 — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:02:12 +0800

A Hero Named Jinx - (Friendship)

Once upon a time, there was a very rich man who was famous for being a wholesome person. He had a good friend who had a somewhat strange name, Jinx. They had been the best of friends ever since they were little kids. They made mud-pies together, went to the same schools and always helped each other.

However, Jinx fell on hard times after he graduated from school. He couldn't find a job and earn a living. So he visited his lifelong friend, the prosperous and successful rich man, to see if he could help him. The rich man was kind and comforting, and was more than happy to hire him to manage his property and business.

Soon after Jinx started working in the rich man's mansion, his strange name became a household word. It was common to hear people say: "Wait a minute, Jinx," "Hurry up, Jinx," "Do this, Jinx," "Do that, Jinx."

After a while, some of the rich man's neighbours were very concerned. "Dear friend and neighbour, we are concerned that misfortune may strike you. Your mansion manager has a very strange and unlucky name," they told him. "You should not let him live with you any longer. His name, Jinx, fills your house. People only use the work 'jinx' when they are experiencing bad luck or misfortune.Even house spirits and fairies would be frightened to hear it constantly and would run away. This can only bring disaster to your household. The man named Jinx is also inferiour to you. He is miserable and ugly. What advantage can you possibly get by keeping such a fellow around?"

"Jinx is my best friend! We have supported and cared for each other ever since we were little tots making mud-pies together. A lifelong trustworthy friend is of great value indeed! I would not reject him and destroy our friendship just because of his name. After all, the only purpose of having a name is to identify a person."

"The wise don't give names a second thought. Only fools are superstitious about sounds, words and names. They don't cause good luck or bad luck! And so, the rich man refused to follow the advice of his nosy neighbours.

One day, the rich man went off on a journey to his home village. While he was away, he left his friend Jinx in charge of his mansion.

It happened that a gang of robbers got wind of this. They decided that it would be the perfect time to rob the mansion. So they armed themselves with various weapons and surrounded the rich man's home that night.

Meanwhile, suspecting that robbers might plunder the house, the faithful Jinx stayed up all night to guard his friend's possessions. When he caught sight of the gang near the mansion's surroundings, he woke everybody up, and got them to create as much noise as possible blowing shell horns and beating drums.

"We must have been given incorrect information. The rich man must still be in for there seem to be many people inside," thought the bandits when they heard the noise. So they abandoned their clubs and other weapons and ran away.

The next morning, the people from the mansion were surprised to see the discarded weapons outside their building. "If we didn't have such a wise house protector, all the wealth in the mansion would certainly have been stolen. Jinx turned out to be a hero! Instead of being a bringer of bad luck, such a loyal friend has been a blessing to the rich man," they said to one other.

When the master of the house returned, his neighbours told him what had happened. "You all advised against letting my friend stay with me. If I had done as you said, I'd be penniless today!" he exclaimed.

"Walking together for just seven steps is enough to start a friendship. Continuing for 12 steps forms a bond of loyalty. Remaining together for month brings the closeness of relatives. And for longer still, the friend becomes like a second self, so my friend Jinx is note a Jinx - but a great blessing!"

THE MORAL IS - A longer Friendship brings greater rewards. For a true and loyal friend is a blessing indeed.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zacken99 @ Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:53:28 +0800

zacken99 — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:53:28 +0800

Originally posted by zen4859:

good day zacken,

tQ Very much for the explanation..

u r welcome...

thanks for the harwork in this forum...

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:09:17 +0800

zen4859 — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:09:17 +0800

Originally posted by zacken99:

the above stories that you guys are watching are tales of di zhang wang pu sha past few carnations...b4 he become what he is...

he din not become di zhang wang pu sa jus due to 1 life cultivation...he exp many many recarnations b4 becoming di zhang wang pu sa...

good day zacken,

tQ Very much for the explanation..

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zacken99 @ Mon, 07 Jan 2008 01:08:58 +0800

zacken99 — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 01:08:58 +0800

Originally posted by zen4859:

Hello zacken,

can help to advise?

tks/rgds

the above stories that you guys are watching are tales of di zhang wang pu sha past few carnations...b4 he become what he is...

he din not become di zhang wang pu sa jus due to 1 life cultivation...he exp many many recarnations b4 becoming di zhang wang pu sa...

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Sun, 06 Jan 2008 11:20:12 +0800

zen4859 — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 11:20:12 +0800

Forest Monks in a King's Garden - (Students Without a Teacher)

Once upon a time, there was a rich man who gave up his wealth and his lavish, upper-class lifestyle to live in the Himalayan forests as a homeless holy man. Through the practice of meditation, he developed his mind and gained the highest knowledge. He also enjoyed great inner happiness and peace of mind. Soon, he had 500 students learning under him.

One day at the start of the rainy season, his students said to him: "Oh, wise master, may we venture out to where man dwell? We would like to get some salt and other seasonings."

"Very well. I shall stay here but you may go. It will be good for your health. Return when the rainy season is over," replied the master.

Thus, with the permission of their teacher, the students travelled to Benares after they had paid their respects. They stayed at the royal garden while in Benares. The next day, they collected alms in the village just outside the city gates. They had plenty to eat as the villagers gave generously. On the following day, they went inside the city. The city people too were generous with their gifts.

The king was soon informed of the monk's presence at his royal garden. "My lord, 500 forest monks have come from the Himalayas to live in your garden. They are people of great virtue for they control their senses and live a simple life without luxuries," people told the king.

Hearing such favourable comments, the king went to visit them. He knelt down, paid his respects and invited them to stay in his garden throughout the four months of the rainy season. They accepted, and from then on, took their meals at the king's palace.

One day, a drinking festival was held in the city to celebrate a certain holiday. "Monks who live in the forests don't normally get to drink wine. I will treat them to some as a special gifts," thought the king. So he gave the 500 forest onks a large supply of the very best wines.

The monks drank the liquor and soon got drunk as they walked back to the garden. In their drunken stupor, some danced, some sang while others messed up their belongings when they were usually neat and tidy. In a short while, all passed out in a drunken sleep.

When they woke up sober the next morning and saw the messes they had created, they felt ashamed and sad. "We have done something that we shouldn't, and conducted ourselves in a manner which was not proper for holy men like us." Their embarrassment and shame made them wept with regret. "We have conducted ourselves in such an unwholesome manner only because we are away from our holy teacher," they lamented.

At that very instant, the 500 forest monks left the royal garden and returned to the Himalayas. When they arrived, they put away their bowls and other belongings neatly - as was their custom - before paying respects to their beloved master.

"How are you, my children? Were you comfortable in the city? Did you find enough food? Were all of you happy and united?" he asked them.

"Yes, master, we were comfortable, happy and united. But we drank what we were not supposed to drink. We lost all our common sense and self-control. We danced and sang like silly monkeys. It's fortunate that we didn't turn into monkeys! We drank wine, danced and sang. In the end, we cried with shame."

"It is easy for such things to happen to students who have no teacher to guide them. Learn from this lesson, and henceforth, never do such a thing again," the kind teacher preached.

From then on, they led a wholesome and happy life.

THE MORAL IS - A student without a teacher to guide him goes astray easily.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by spikedoll @ Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:15:15 +0800

spikedoll — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:15:15 +0800

i was told it was just the buddha citing an example ? I even watched the vcd of di zang wang but very puzzled still

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by jesdes7779 @ Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:40:35 +0800

jesdes7779 — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:40:35 +0800

Ya, I also confused leh…

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:42:19 +0800

zen4859 — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:42:19 +0800

Originally posted by zen4859:

Hi, spikedoll,

this one is also di zang buddha.. it the one which was once a woman..

http://www.56.com/n_v163_/c19_/7_/25_/xingyu_581015_/1181720234_156_/970475_/0_/14580450.swf

Hello zacken,

can help to advise?

tks/rgds

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:40:09 +0800

zen4859 — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:40:09 +0800

Originally posted by spikedoll:

sorry, can someone enlighten me?

I watched this video
http://www.56.com/w99/play_album-aid-1475619_vid-MTg5NDUxNTc.html

and it shows Di Zang buddha (Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha) was a king but I am puzzled.I thought Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha was once a woman who grieved about her deceased mother who later also become a bodhisattva?I'm really puzzled.
Thanks alot.

Hi, spikedoll,

this one is also di zang buddha.. it the one which was once a woman..

http://www.56.com/n_v163_/c19_/7_/25_/xingyu_581015_/1181720234_156_/970475_/0_/14580450.swf

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by spikedoll @ Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:19:14 +0800

spikedoll — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:19:14 +0800

sorry, can someone enlighten me?

I watched this video
http://www.56.com/w99/play_album-aid-1475619_vid-MTg5NDUxNTc.html

and it shows Di Zang buddha (Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha) was a king but I am puzzled.I thought Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha was once a woman who grieved about her deceased mother who later also become a bodhisattva?I'm really puzzled.
Thanks alot.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:39:14 +0800

zen4859 — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 12:39:14 +0800

The Treacherous Headman - (Betrayal)

Once upon a time, when King Brahmadatta ruled Benares in northern India, he had a clever minister who pleased him very much. To show his appreciation, the king appointed him as the headman of a remote border village. His duty was to represent the kinga and collect taxes from the villagers.

It wasn't long before the headman was completely accepted by the villagers. They respected him highly since he had been sent by King Brahmadatta who was known to be an impartial ruler, and came to trust him greatly as if he had been born among them.

But though the headman was an intelligent fellow, he was also a very greedy man. Working for the king and collecting taxes were not enough as rewards for him. So he cooked up a plan to turn himself into a rich man after becoming friendly with a gang of bandits.

"I will excuses abd reasons to lead all the villagers into the jungle. This will be easy for me since they trust me as one of their own. While I keep them busy in the jungle, you invade the village and rob everything that is of value," he suggested to his robber friends. "Carry everything away before I bring the people home. But in return of my help, you must give me half of all the booty!" The bandits agreed and a date was set.

When the day arrived, the headman assembled all the villagers and led them into the jungle. According to plan, the bandits entered the unprotected village and pillage anything valuable they see. They also killed all the defenceless village cows, cooked them and ate their meat. When their bellies were full, the gang then carted away all the stolen goods and went back to their hideout at the end of the day.

Coincidentally, on that very same day, a travelling merchang had came to the village to trade his goods. When he saw the bandits, he stayed out of sight.

That evening, the headman brought all the villagers home. While on their way back, he ordered them to beat their drums and create alot of noise as they marched towards the village. Actually, he true intention was to use the noise as s signalling tool to inform the bandits that the villagers were approaching home.

The villagers were very sad when they realised they had been robbed, and that all their cows were dead and eaten. At that moment, the travelling merchant appeared and said to them: "This treacherous village headman has betrayed your trust in him. He must be an accomplice of the bandits. For it was only after they had left with all your valuables did he lead you home, and accompanied by such loud drumming!"

"This man feigns ignorance about what had happened, and pretends to be as innocent as a newborn lamb! But the fact is if ever a son did something as shameful, his mother would denounce and sever all ties with him," he continued.

Before long, news of the crime reached the ears of the king. He summoned the treacherous headman and punished him as he deserved.

THE MORAL IS - No one defends a deceiful man and and betrayer of trust.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:03:59 +0800

zen4859 — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:03:59 +0800

King Sakka left the palace and went to Illisa's house. As the god was the exact likeness of Illisa, the servants greeted him as if he was indeed their master. He entered the house and sat down. He summoned the gatekeeper and instructed him to chase anyone out who looks like him and wants to come into the house.

Then he went upstairs and looked for Illisa's wife. "My love, let us be generous!" he said smilingly when he saw her.

Illisa's wife, children and servants were surprised. "He has never given anything to anybody before. It must be the alcohol that is causing him to behave so abnormally," they said to one other.

"As you wish, my lord, give away as much as you like," replied Illisa's wife. "Call for the drummer then," said King Sakka, "and order him to go beat his drum in the city. Let him announce that all who desire gold, silver, pearls, jewels, lapis lazuli, diamonds and corals are to come to the residence of Illisa the billionaire." She did what he said.

Soon, a large crowd began to arrive carrying baskets, buckets and bags of all sizes. King Sakka opened up the storerooms containing Illisa's wealth and said: "I give you all these riches. Take as much as you want and go." So the people took it all outside and piled it up. They filled up their containers and carried them away.

One clever man from the countryside even made use of Illisa's bullock cart to carry off Illisa's wealth. First, he harnessed Illisa's bullocks tot he bullock cart. Then he filled it to the brim with Illisa's seven treasures, and rode out of the city by the main road.

Wihtout knowing it, he passed by the bushes where the real Illisa was hiding, still drinking his liquor. He was so happy becoming rich overnight that he shouted:"May Lord Illisa the billionaire live a hundred years! Because of you, I have struck the jackpot. I won't have to work another day in my life! These were your bullocks, your cart and your seven treasures. They were not given to me by my father and mother - but by you, Illisa the generous!"

Illisa was shocked to hear this. "This man is talking about me! How can it be! Has the king confiscated my wealth and given it away?" he thought. He jumped out from the bushes and shouted: "Hey you, what are you doing with my bullock cart?" He grabbed the reins and stopped the cart.

The villiager got down and said: "What's wrong with you? The billionaire Lord Illisa is giving away his wealth to all the people of the city. What do you think you're doing?"

As he said this, he Illisa hard on the head and rode away on the cart filled with treasures.

Illisa the Cheap bounced to his feet and chased after the cart. He grabbed the reins a second time. Again the villager got down the cart, seized Illisa by the hair and struck him hard several times on the head before grabbing him by the neck and throwing him onto the ground. Then he drove off.

Thoroughly sobered now by all the rough treatment he received, Illisa ran home as fast as he could. He saw crowds of people carting off his previous jewels. He tried to stop them, but they just pushed him out of the way and knocked him down. He nearly fainted from teh scuffle. Full of bruises, he tried to get into his house only to be stopped by the gatekeeper. "Where do you think you're going?" said the gatekeeper roughly. He hit him with a cane, than grabbed him by the throat and threw him out.

"The king would be able to help me," thought Illisa. So he quickly ran to the palace to see the king. "My lord, why do you allow my house to be looted?" he asked the king. "This is not my doing, You, yourself, came to me and said if I would not accept yur wealth, you would give it all to the citizens of the country. I applaud your generosity! Next, you send a drummer out into the streets to announce that you are giving your wealth away to anyone and everyone."

"My lord, you must be joking!" "I didn't do such a thing. People don't call me 'Illisa the Cheap' for nothing! I don't give anything to anybody if I can help it! Please, my lord, summon whoever is giving my treasures away and clear up this matter."

After being summoned by the king, King Sakka came to the palace. "Who do you think is the real billionare, my king?" Illisa asked. Neither the king nor his ministers could tell the differnce between them.

"We cnnot tell. Do you know someone who can recognise you for sure?" "Yes, my lord, my wife can recognise me," said Illisa. But when she was summoned and asked to decide, she stood next to King Sakka and said: "This is my husband, my lord." When Illisa's children and servants were called upon, they too chose King Sakka.

"I have a wart on my head that is covered up by my hair. Only my barbers knows this," Illisa thought. "Please summon my barber. He knows me very well," he then said to the king.

The barber was called up. "Can you tell us which of these two men is Illisa the billionaire?" asked the king. "I must examine their heads," he said, "then I will be able to determine who the real Illisa is." "Do so," replied the king.

Immediately, King Sakka used his magic to conjure up a wart on his head. When the barber examined them, he found warts on both heads. "Oh king, I cannot recognise which is the real Illisa. Both have crooked feets, hands and eyes, and both have warts on the same spots on their heads! I can't tell the difference," he exclaimed.

When Illisa heard this, he began to tremble. He was so terrified and fearful of losing his last hope of regaining his wealth that he fainted on the spot.

At that very moment, King Sakka manifested his true form and declared: "I am not Illisa. I am King Sakka, the god king of the 33 levels of Heaven." As he said this, he levitated into the air and remain suspended there.

To wake Illisa from his faintin spell, the attendants splashed cold water on his face. Illisa then knelt down in respect before King Sakka, the Kings of Gods.

"Illisa, this wealth came from me, not from you. When I was your father. I performed many meritorious deeds. I was glad to give to the poor and needy. That is why, when I died, I was reborn as King Sakka, the King of Gods," spoke King Sakka to Illisa.

"However, you have violated our family tradition," he continued. "You live the life of a miser, burned my charity dining hall to the ground, and chased the homeless beggars out onto the streets. You kept all the family wealth to yourself. You're so stingy that you are even unwilling to spend if for your own enjoyment! The family fortune is completely useless in your hands. It would be better if you were dead!"

"Illisa, son of my former life, if you change your ways and become generous, you will be the one to benefit most. If you rebuild my free food kitchen and give hot meals to all who ask, you will earn both mert and peace of mind. But if you persist to be stingy, I will make all your wealth disappear into thin air, and I will split your crooked skull with my divine diamond dagger!"

Fearing for his life, Illisa promised King Sakka that he would give generously from then onwards. King Sakka accepted his promise. Still floating in the air, he preached the true value of generosity and of giving. He also convinced Illisa to practise the Five Precepts for the benefit of himself and others. Killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying or speaking falsely, and losing control of one's mind from the comsumption of alcohol are to be given up entirely.

Then King Sakka vanished and returned to his home in the heavens above.

As for Illisa, he did indeed change for the better. He gave alms generously, performed many other good deeds, and became much happier. Whe he died, he was reborn in a heavenly world.

THE MORAL IS - Poor indeed is the rich man who won't part with a penny.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:03:26 +0800

zen4859 — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:03:26 +0800

Illisa the Cheap - (Miserliness)

Once upon a time, there was a billionaire in northern India who was an adviser to a king. Although he was very rich, he was not good-looking at all. He was lame, had crooked feet and deformed hands. Even his eyes were crooked too, for he was cross-eyed. Some said he had crooked mind as well, for he had no religion whatsoever. You might think that people would call him 'Illisa the Crooked', but that was not the case.

Illisa also happened to be a miser. He refused to give anything to anybody. He was so stingy that he could not even bear to spend a single cent for his own enjoyment. Because of that, it was said that his home was just like a pond possessed by demons where no one could quench his thirst.

Interestingly enough, Illisa's ancestors, of the past generations, were philanthropists. They were the most generous of gift givers who gave away the very best of their possessions. But when Illisa inherited the family fortune, he put a halt to that great family tradition.

For, instance, the family had always maintained a charity dining hall, where anyone in need could come for a free hot meal. But Illisa had that burned to the ground. He also forced the poor and hungry away from his home, hitting them as they leave. He felt they were a burden and only incurred extra expenses to him. Because of his stinginess, people soon started calling him 'Illisa the Cheap'.

One day, Illisa was on his way home from the palace when he saw a tired, worn-out villager by the side of the road. The man had obviously walked a great distance. He was sitting on the ground, pouring some cheap wine into a cup. As he was drinking it, he ate some smelly dried fish for snacks.

Seeing how the villager savour his drink make Illisa thirsty for some liquor too. "I would love to have a drink! But if I do, others may want to drink with me, and that would cost me money!" he thought. Unwilling to share with others, he suppressed his craving for alcohol.

Alas, hsi craving did not disappear. Surpressing it and thinking about it constantly made him sick instead. As time passed, he skin turned yellow, and he grew so thin that his veins protrude out from his fresh. He fought a constant battle against his desire for liquor. At night, he slept fitfully with his face down.

His wife noticed the changes in him. "Are you sick, my hushand?" she asked one day while massaging his back to comfort him. "No," he replied. "Was the king crossed with you?" she asked again. "No." said Illisa. "Perhaps our children or the servants have done something to upset you?" continued his wife. Again his answer was negative. "Or do you have a strong craving for something?" she tried again.

Illisa the Cheap kept quiet. He was afraid if he told her, it might end up costing him money! But his wife pleaded with him to reveal what was bothering him. "Tell me, please tell me," she said. Finally, swallowing hard and clearing his throat, he said: "yes, I do have a strong craving," "A craving for what?" she asked. "For a sip of liquor," he admitted at last.

"oh, is that all?" answered the wife. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? You're not a poor man. In fact, you're so rich that you can easily buy a drink for yourself and the whole city as well if you like! Shall I brew a big batch of liquor for everyone?" she asked.

Of course, this wasn't what Illisa the Cheap wanted to hear. "Why should we give free liquor to others? Let them earn their own!" he blurted out. "Well then, what about just for us and our neighbours?" his wife asked. "I didn't know that you have become so rich all of a sudden!" he shot back at her. "How about just our household then?" she asked again. "How generous you are with my money!" "All right then," she said, "I will brew just enough liquor for you and me, my husband." Why should you be included? Women should not drink liquor!" came the swift reply of Illisa.

:Okay, I understand perfectly well now!" said Illisa's wife. "I will brew only enough liquor for you alone." "If you prepare liquor here, people will know of it soonner or later and come to beg for some. Even if I buy from a liquor store and bring it back to drink, others will still find out and want some. There will be no liquor given away in this house!" he said strongly.

Illisa decided the best course of action was to give the smallest coin he had to a servant boy, and sent him running to the liquor store. When he returned, Illisa took him to the riverside, got the small bottle of liquor from the boy, set him to stand guard nearby before hiding himself in the underbush. Next, he poured some liquor into a cup and began to drink secretly.

In this story, it happened that Illisa's father was reborn as King Sakka, the god king of the 33 levels of Heaven. He had this fortunate rebirth because he was generous and charitable throughout his life.

At this particular moment, King Sakka was wondering whether his free food kitchen was still dishing out food to the needy. He discovered that it no longer existed, that his son had abandoned this family tradition and had even chased the poor and hungry out onto the streets! With his magic powers, he saw his miserly son hiding in the bushes drinking by himself as he was afraid that he might have to share the drink with others.

King Sakka decided to teach Illisa a lesson, a lesson about the effects of both good and bad actions. He decided to transform stingy Illisa into a generous person so that he too may be reborn in a heavenly world.

With this thought, King Sakka changed his own appearance and became the spitting image of Illisa the Cheap with all his physical deformities. He entered the city, went to the palace, and asked for an audience with the king.

"Let my adviser, Illisa come in," said the king. "Why have you come at this hour?" "My lord," said King Sakka, "I have come to give all my wealth. You can then filled the treasury to the brim." "No, no. I have enough, much more than is needed," replied the king. "If you do not want it, my lord, kindly permit me to give it away as I wish," answered the disguised King Sakka. "Do as you wish the," replied the king.

Stories - Tales of the Buddha's Former Lives replied by zen4859 @ Wed, 26 Dec 2007 09:25:30 +0800

zen4859 — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 09:25:30 +0800

The Meditating Watchman - (Fearlessness)
Once upon a time, the Bodhisattva was born into a rich and powerful family. Dissatisfied with the chase for the ordinary pleasures of the world, he gave up his luxurious lifestyle, including his wealth and position, and became a holyman who resides in the foothills of the Himalayas.

One day, he ran out of salt. So he decided to leave the foothills to collect alms. He chanced upon caravan and decided to join them for part of the journey. As it was late, they stopped and pitched a camp.

Thus, the holy man used the time to do some walking meditatioon at the foot of a big tree nearby. He meditated deeply until he was experiencing the bliss of the high mental state. He remained in that state throughout the night, while continuing to walk.

Meanwhile, 500 bandits had surrounded the campsite waiting steathily. They intended to attack the caravan when the band had taken their supper and settled down for the night. However before they could attack, they noticed the holy man who was alone. "That person must be a night watchman. If he sees us, he'll warn the rest. Let's wait until he dozes off, before we rob and look!" they said to one another.

What the bandits didn't realise was that the holy man was so deep in meditation he didn't notice them at all - or anything else for that matter! They kept waiting for him to fall asleep, and he just kept walking and walking, until the first rays of dawn finally began to appear. It was only then that he finished his meditation.

Having no chance to rob the caravan now, the bandits threw down their weapons in frustration. "Hey you in the caravan! If your watchman hadn't stayed up all night, walking under that tree, we would have robbed all of you! You should reward him well!" they shouted. With that, they left in search for another victim to rob.

When dawn streamed through, the people in the caravan saw the clubs and stones abandoned by the bandits. Trembling with fear, they went over to the holy man. They greeted him respectfully and asked if he had seen the bandits. "Yes, I saw them this morning," he said.

"Weren't you scared?" they asked. "No," he replied, "the sight of bandits is only frightening to the rich, but I'm not a rich man. I own nothing valuable that the robbers might want, so why should I be afraid of them? I have no anxiety in a village, and no fear in the forest. Possessing only loving-kindness and compassion, I follow the straight path leading to Truth."

In this manner, he preached the way of fearlessness to the people of the caravan. His words made them feel peaceful, and they honoured him.

After a long life that the holy man fruitfully used to develop the Four Heavenly States of Mind, he died and was reborn in the heavaens.

THE MORAL IS - It is good to have a holy man around.

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