THE BEAUTY OF THE BUDDHA
In Sanatthi in India there was a young man who loved the Buddha so much that whenever he met him he kept on admiring the Buddha's appearance, his colour and his handsomeness. One day he thought, "So long as i live in my home i cannot see the Buddha always. I must go to the temple and be ordained. Then i can see him daily. So he went to the temple and asked the Buddha to ardain him. Then the Buddha ordained him.
Now he has the chance to admire the Buddha's appearance always. He did nothing but day and night - morning and evening, at breakfast and at lunch and all the time at every place whenever the Buddha went. Wakkali followed him like his own shadow and kept on admiring him. The Buddha waited for his knowledge to ripen and said not a word. After a few years the Buddha realised that Wakkali's knowledge was ripened and said to him, "Wakkali, what shall it profit you to look upon my body which is changing always? Whosoever, Wakkali, beholds my teaching, he beholds me."
Wakkali did not go away and instead of reading, learning, meditating or preaching the Dhamma continued to admire the Buddha. Then Buddha thought, "Unless this monk gets a shock he will never come to understand," So one day the Buddha had an invitation from a man to spend three months in Rajagaha. On the day he left for Rajagaha, Wakkali also tired to follow the Buddha. The Buddha said: "Go back, Wakkali, don;t follow me. I must go alone."
So Wakkali returned to his room disappointed and began to think, "What a long period is three months! He does not talk to me for three months; neither can i see him for three long months. What a miserable period i have to spend! What is the use of my living any longer. I throw myself headlong from the top of a mountain." So with this thought, he climbed to the top of a mountain called Mount Vulture peak. Now the Buddha, staying in Rajagaha, saw with his mind's eye Wakkali about to jump from the Vulture Peak and thought, "If this monk gets no comfort nor consolation from me he will kill himself." Then immediately he sent forth a radiant image of himself and showed himself before the monk. As soon as Wakkali saw the Buddha standing before him his sorrow vanished from him. Then the Buddha filled his mind with joy, happiness and peace, saying:
"The monk who has perfect faith in the Religion of the Buddha will be full of joy and satisfaction and reach the place of peace, happiness and end of sorrow."
Wakkali thought, "I have seen the teacher. He is calling me i must go to Rajagaha, with him. But how shall i go? asked himself. Then he heard, "Come Wakkali, fear not, as you look upon me, I will lift you up even as one who lifts up an elephant that has sunk in the mud. I will release you from sorrow and sadness as one who release the sun from clouds." In a moment Wakkali was really before the Buddha in Rajagaha and while listening to the Buddha, Became perfect.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
SUNITA - THE SCAVENGER
In Savatthi in India there was a scavenger named Sunita. As a road-sweeper he received a very small salary which was not enough for him to buy his clothes or medicine. He slept on the road side, for he did not have a house to sleep in. He saw other people enjoying themselves but he could not mix with them because people called him an outcaste. Whenever a high cast person went on the road Sunita had to leave the road completely for them and stand very far off the road because if his shadow fell in the high caste person he would be scolded and beaten because he bleed very badly. He could not learn anything because he was very poor and had no chance to attend the religious practices. So he leaved a most miserable and unhappy poor life.
One day he was sweeping a dirty, dusty and smelly road. His body was covered with dirt and sweat. he was wearing only one small piece of cloth. Suddenly he saw the Buddha coming along that road with thousands of monks behind him. Sunita was collecting the swept dirt and rubbish, putting them into baskets, keeping them on his head and carrying them away to throw. And when he saw the Buddha and thousands of monks coming towards him, his heart was filled with joy and fear. Finding no place to hide on the road he put his yoke in a bend of the wall and stood as if stuck to the wall joining his palms in respect to the Buddha. The Buddha came near him stopped and spoke to him in a voice divinely sweet saying "My dear friend, Do you like a leave this job and to become a monk?
Nobody had ever spoken to Sunita like this before. His heart was with such a great joy and happiness that his eyes were filled with tears. He could not talk for a moment. He did not belive his eyes and ears. He never knew that the Buddha was so kind. He always had received orders but never a kind word from anybody. So he said, "O! most Venerable Sir, I always have received orders, but never a kind word. If you accept a dirty, and most miserable scavenger like me why should i not like to leave this dirty job, Sir?" Standing on the same spot the Buddha ordained Sunita and took him along with other monks. Afterward no one knew what his caste was and everybody -kings, ministers, commanders in chief or anybody respected him.
One day he was sweeping a dirty, dusty and smelly road. His body was covered with dirt and sweat. he was wearing only one small piece of cloth. Suddenly he saw the Buddha coming along that road with thousands of monks behind him. Sunita was collecting the swept dirt and rubbish, putting them into baskets, keeping them on his head and carrying them away to throw. And when he saw the Buddha and thousands of monks coming towards him, his heart was filled with joy and fear. Finding no place to hide on the road he put his yoke in a bend of the wall and stood as if stuck to the wall joining his palms in respect to the Buddha. The Buddha came near him stopped and spoke to him in a voice divinely sweet saying "My dear friend, Do you like a leave this job and to become a monk?
Nobody had ever spoken to Sunita like this before. His heart was with such a great joy and happiness that his eyes were filled with tears. He could not talk for a moment. He did not belive his eyes and ears. He never knew that the Buddha was so kind. He always had received orders but never a kind word from anybody. So he said, "O! most Venerable Sir, I always have received orders, but never a kind word. If you accept a dirty, and most miserable scavenger like me why should i not like to leave this dirty job, Sir?" Standing on the same spot the Buddha ordained Sunita and took him along with other monks. Afterward no one knew what his caste was and everybody -kings, ministers, commanders in chief or anybody respected him.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
THE BUDDHA'S DAILY ROUTINE
The Buddha's daily routine was divided into five parts such as (1)The forenoon session, (2)The Afternoon Session, (3)The first Watch, (4)The Middle Watch and (5)The Last Watch.
*THE FORENOON SESSION: (4.00 A.M.-12.00 NOON)
The Buddha get up at 4.00 a.m. and as soon as he had a wash he sits down and meditates for one hour. Then from 5.00 a.m. to 6.00 a.m. He looks round the world with his mental eye to find out where there is anybody whom he could help. At 6.00 a.m. He will put on his robe and go out begging for his food to the nearest village or city he is staying, or if there is some one who needs his help urgently he quickly goes there with some other monks or else alone.
Then he goes from house to house with his eyes fixed to the ground, receiving in silence, any food that was put into the bowl. If he is with his disciples he goes out begging with them in ome single file behind him. If people invite him to their houses to take lunch he goes there. After lunch he would preach to the people and monks his Noble Truth. If there is anybody wishing to be ordained he ardains such a person.
*THE AFTERNOON: (12.00 noon- 6.00 p.m.)
This is the time when monks usually come to the Buddha to ask questions. If there are any questions he answers them and gives them advice and subjects for meditation. When they have gone away, he retires to his room and looks round the world with his mental eye to see whether there is anybody looking for his help. If he finds anyone he goes there. If there is nobody he comes out of the room to meet hundreds of people waiting in the preaching Hall. He preaches to them in such a way that everybody feels that the Buddha is preaching to each one of them separately, "Giving joy to the wise, promoting the intelligence of the average people and dispelling the darkness of the dull-witted."
*THE FIRST WATCH: (6.00 p.m. - 1.00 p.m.)
During this time the monks come again to the Buddha to either listen to the preaching or to ask the Buddha at this time of the night.
*THE MIDDLE WATCH: (10.00 p.m. - 2.00 a.m.)
During this time period the Devas go to see the Buddha and learn his Truth of life. We cannot see them with our eyes.
*THE LAST WATCH: (2.00 a.m. - 4.00 a.m.)
From 2.00 a.m. to 3.00 a.m. He walks up and down. From 3.00 a.m. - 4.00 a.m. He sleeps. As soon as He gets up he continued his daily routine in this manner.
Thus we can see the Buddha was busy the whole day. In fact he slept only for one hour per day during his 45 years of teaching as a Buddha. During the early hours of the day he saw the whole universe, blessed it with his boundless love and brought happiness to millions. He became the Buddha at the age of 35, preached another 45 years and relinquished his body at the age of 80.
*THE FORENOON SESSION: (4.00 A.M.-12.00 NOON)
The Buddha get up at 4.00 a.m. and as soon as he had a wash he sits down and meditates for one hour. Then from 5.00 a.m. to 6.00 a.m. He looks round the world with his mental eye to find out where there is anybody whom he could help. At 6.00 a.m. He will put on his robe and go out begging for his food to the nearest village or city he is staying, or if there is some one who needs his help urgently he quickly goes there with some other monks or else alone.
Then he goes from house to house with his eyes fixed to the ground, receiving in silence, any food that was put into the bowl. If he is with his disciples he goes out begging with them in ome single file behind him. If people invite him to their houses to take lunch he goes there. After lunch he would preach to the people and monks his Noble Truth. If there is anybody wishing to be ordained he ardains such a person.
*THE AFTERNOON: (12.00 noon- 6.00 p.m.)
This is the time when monks usually come to the Buddha to ask questions. If there are any questions he answers them and gives them advice and subjects for meditation. When they have gone away, he retires to his room and looks round the world with his mental eye to see whether there is anybody looking for his help. If he finds anyone he goes there. If there is nobody he comes out of the room to meet hundreds of people waiting in the preaching Hall. He preaches to them in such a way that everybody feels that the Buddha is preaching to each one of them separately, "Giving joy to the wise, promoting the intelligence of the average people and dispelling the darkness of the dull-witted."
*THE FIRST WATCH: (6.00 p.m. - 1.00 p.m.)
During this time the monks come again to the Buddha to either listen to the preaching or to ask the Buddha at this time of the night.
*THE MIDDLE WATCH: (10.00 p.m. - 2.00 a.m.)
During this time period the Devas go to see the Buddha and learn his Truth of life. We cannot see them with our eyes.
*THE LAST WATCH: (2.00 a.m. - 4.00 a.m.)
From 2.00 a.m. to 3.00 a.m. He walks up and down. From 3.00 a.m. - 4.00 a.m. He sleeps. As soon as He gets up he continued his daily routine in this manner.
Thus we can see the Buddha was busy the whole day. In fact he slept only for one hour per day during his 45 years of teaching as a Buddha. During the early hours of the day he saw the whole universe, blessed it with his boundless love and brought happiness to millions. He became the Buddha at the age of 35, preached another 45 years and relinquished his body at the age of 80.
TORTURING THE BODY
After leaving Uddaka, Ascetic Gotama and his five friends wandered from place to place as before. He practised fasting which was thought to be one of the best ways to acquire wisdom. He, too at the begining took little food. Later onn he only ate one meal a day for months. Then he took food once in two or three days. He was eating roots of plants, leaves and juice of various leaves and fruits. Because of the lack of proper food his body became so thin that his legs became like bamboo stricks, his backbone was like a rope, his rib-bones in the chest were like an uncompleted roof of a house, his eyes sank right inside, like a stone in a deep well. His skin was so dry and wrinkled that hairs were missing. In fact he looked like a living skeleton all bones without any flesh!. He suffered terrible pain and hunger and he thought that the only way to happiness was to be most unhappy now. He continued to meditate but still he did not know anything new.
Another way of torturing his body and mind was holding his breath for a ling time until he felt terrible pains in the ears, head and the whole body. Then he began to be alone or practised loneliness. During the full Moon and New Moon nights he went out to the forests, cemetery and other lonely places to meditate. He became frightened at first in these place, especially when wild animal came. But he never ran away from these places he stayed behind bravely in these dreadful places meditating all the time. He used to wear rags to torn dirty clothes from grave-yards and rubbish heaps during this period. In the hot summer he stayed indoors at night and in the burning sun in the day time. In the cold winter at midnight he used to dip himself in the icy cold water and stay for a long time. This way to torture his body and mind even more and suffer even more than ever.
For six long year he did all these practices and in spite of the great pain and suffering he did not find out anything. He finally thought that this was not the way to find out wisdom. One day he fainted in a place called Uruvela. Then a goat boy came and gave him some milk and that made him better. Soon he began to take more milk and food and built up his body. When the five friends saw that he was not fasting anymore, they felt disappointed and left him alone.
Another way of torturing his body and mind was holding his breath for a ling time until he felt terrible pains in the ears, head and the whole body. Then he began to be alone or practised loneliness. During the full Moon and New Moon nights he went out to the forests, cemetery and other lonely places to meditate. He became frightened at first in these place, especially when wild animal came. But he never ran away from these places he stayed behind bravely in these dreadful places meditating all the time. He used to wear rags to torn dirty clothes from grave-yards and rubbish heaps during this period. In the hot summer he stayed indoors at night and in the burning sun in the day time. In the cold winter at midnight he used to dip himself in the icy cold water and stay for a long time. This way to torture his body and mind even more and suffer even more than ever.
For six long year he did all these practices and in spite of the great pain and suffering he did not find out anything. He finally thought that this was not the way to find out wisdom. One day he fainted in a place called Uruvela. Then a goat boy came and gave him some milk and that made him better. Soon he began to take more milk and food and built up his body. When the five friends saw that he was not fasting anymore, they felt disappointed and left him alone.
Friday, July 2, 2010
PRINCE RAHULA
One the day the prince left the palace Rahula was born and now he was seven years old. he was brought up by his mother and grandfather. On the seventh day after his home-coming princess Yasodhara gaily dressed up young Rahula. Then she pointed to the Buddha who was then having his meal, said to Rahula, "Darling, can you tell me who is that?"
"He is the Buddha, mother," said Rahula.
The mother's eyes were filled with tears and said, "Darling, that golden coloured ascetic, looking like Brahma, Surrounded by twenty thousand ascetics was your father and he had great property. Since he left home, we do not know what has happened to it. Go up to him and ask for your presents and say, "Father, I am the prince. When i become the king i will be a king of kings. I want property, for the son is the owner of that belongs to the father." Innocent Rahula came to the Buddha, held one of his fingers, looked up at his face and telling him all that his mother had asked him to say, said, "Father, even your shadow is pleasing to me." After the meal the Buddha left the palace and Rahula followed him, saying, "Give me my inheritance, I am going to be the king; I want wealth; you have plenty of them; please father, give me my inheritance." Nobody tried to stop him. Nor even the Buddha stopped him following him. Coming to the park the Buddha thought, "He desire his father's wealth, but this goes with the world and is full of trouble. I shall instead give him the sevenfold noble wealth which i received at the foot of the Bodhi tree, and make him an owner of an excellent inheritance."
When they came to the temple, the Buddha asked one of his pupils named Sariputta to make Rahula a monk. King Suddhodana was deeply grieved to hear of his beloved grandson becoming a monk. he went to the Buddha and very respectfully told him not to ordain (making a monk) any one without the permission of the parents. He said, "When you left home it made me very, very sad and painful. When Nanda left home my heart began to concentrate my love on Rahula, my grandson and loved him more than anyone else. Now you have brought him here and ordained him. I am very sorry and most unhappy about this. Please don't ordain anybody hereafter without the permission of his parents." The Buddha agreed and never ardained anybody after that without the parents permission.
"He is the Buddha, mother," said Rahula.
The mother's eyes were filled with tears and said, "Darling, that golden coloured ascetic, looking like Brahma, Surrounded by twenty thousand ascetics was your father and he had great property. Since he left home, we do not know what has happened to it. Go up to him and ask for your presents and say, "Father, I am the prince. When i become the king i will be a king of kings. I want property, for the son is the owner of that belongs to the father." Innocent Rahula came to the Buddha, held one of his fingers, looked up at his face and telling him all that his mother had asked him to say, said, "Father, even your shadow is pleasing to me." After the meal the Buddha left the palace and Rahula followed him, saying, "Give me my inheritance, I am going to be the king; I want wealth; you have plenty of them; please father, give me my inheritance." Nobody tried to stop him. Nor even the Buddha stopped him following him. Coming to the park the Buddha thought, "He desire his father's wealth, but this goes with the world and is full of trouble. I shall instead give him the sevenfold noble wealth which i received at the foot of the Bodhi tree, and make him an owner of an excellent inheritance."
When they came to the temple, the Buddha asked one of his pupils named Sariputta to make Rahula a monk. King Suddhodana was deeply grieved to hear of his beloved grandson becoming a monk. he went to the Buddha and very respectfully told him not to ordain (making a monk) any one without the permission of the parents. He said, "When you left home it made me very, very sad and painful. When Nanda left home my heart began to concentrate my love on Rahula, my grandson and loved him more than anyone else. Now you have brought him here and ordained him. I am very sorry and most unhappy about this. Please don't ordain anybody hereafter without the permission of his parents." The Buddha agreed and never ardained anybody after that without the parents permission.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
SONA
The monk who tried too hard
A son of a rich businessman, Sona liked to listen to lute music and to play the instrument. As he was brought up in the lap of luxury, his skin was very delicate and soft. It was said that hair grew out of the skin of his soles. Once he was brought before King Bimbisara who wanted to see the unusual feet he had heard so much about. Sona lived near the Vulture's Peak Rock in Rajagaha where the Buddha stayed during some rainy seasons. One day, Sona went to the Vulture's peak rock to listen to the Buddha's sermons about the happiness experienced from non-attachment of worldly desires. As he wanted to experience this happiness, Sona asked to be ordained as a monk.
After becoming a monks, he was taught to be constantly mindful, even when walking. Sona was very enthusiastic. Everyday he walked to and fro in the monastree until one day his feet developed blisters and bied. Even after trying so hard, yet he did not experience happiness, only pain and disappointment. thought of craving for worldly things stills came to his mind. "It is no use," Sona said to himself, "I have tired so very hard, but have still not achieved what i wished for. It is better for me to return to lay life and enjoy the happiness i used to experience by performing charity."
When the Buddha heard about this he went to see Sona. "Sona," he said, "Ihave heard that you are not getting good results from your practice of mindfulness and want to return to the lay life. Suppose I explain why you did not get good results, would you stay on as a monk and try again?"
"Yes, I would, Lord." replied Sona.
"Sona, you were a musician and you used to play the lute. Tell me, Sona, did you produce good music when the lute strings were well tuned, neither too tight nor too loose?"
"I was able to produce good music, Lord." replied Sona.
"What happened when the strings were too tightly wound up?"
"I could not produce any music, Lord." said Sona.
"What happen when the strings were too slack?"
"I could not produce any music at all, Lord." replied Sona.
"Sona, do you now see why you did not experience the happiness of renouncing worldly craving? You have been straining too hard in your meditation. Do it in a relaxed way, but without being slacek. Try it again and you will experience to good results." Sona understood and stayed on in the monastree as a monk, and soon he attained sainthood.
A son of a rich businessman, Sona liked to listen to lute music and to play the instrument. As he was brought up in the lap of luxury, his skin was very delicate and soft. It was said that hair grew out of the skin of his soles. Once he was brought before King Bimbisara who wanted to see the unusual feet he had heard so much about. Sona lived near the Vulture's Peak Rock in Rajagaha where the Buddha stayed during some rainy seasons. One day, Sona went to the Vulture's peak rock to listen to the Buddha's sermons about the happiness experienced from non-attachment of worldly desires. As he wanted to experience this happiness, Sona asked to be ordained as a monk.
After becoming a monks, he was taught to be constantly mindful, even when walking. Sona was very enthusiastic. Everyday he walked to and fro in the monastree until one day his feet developed blisters and bied. Even after trying so hard, yet he did not experience happiness, only pain and disappointment. thought of craving for worldly things stills came to his mind. "It is no use," Sona said to himself, "I have tired so very hard, but have still not achieved what i wished for. It is better for me to return to lay life and enjoy the happiness i used to experience by performing charity."
When the Buddha heard about this he went to see Sona. "Sona," he said, "Ihave heard that you are not getting good results from your practice of mindfulness and want to return to the lay life. Suppose I explain why you did not get good results, would you stay on as a monk and try again?"
"Yes, I would, Lord." replied Sona.
"Sona, you were a musician and you used to play the lute. Tell me, Sona, did you produce good music when the lute strings were well tuned, neither too tight nor too loose?"
"I was able to produce good music, Lord." replied Sona.
"What happened when the strings were too tightly wound up?"
"I could not produce any music, Lord." said Sona.
"What happen when the strings were too slack?"
"I could not produce any music at all, Lord." replied Sona.
"Sona, do you now see why you did not experience the happiness of renouncing worldly craving? You have been straining too hard in your meditation. Do it in a relaxed way, but without being slacek. Try it again and you will experience to good results." Sona understood and stayed on in the monastree as a monk, and soon he attained sainthood.
PRINCE NANDA
Prince Nanda was the step-brother of the prince Siddhartha. When he was thirty-five years old king Suddhodana wished to give him Prince Janapada Kalyani and let him live in a separate palace. The king wished to have all these festivals on the same day and waited for the Buddha to return to Kapilavatthu and bless Nanda and Janapada Kalyani. On the third day after the Buddha's return to Kapilavattu he made all the arrangements for the festivals and invited the Buddha to attend the wedding. The Buddha went there, had lunch, blessed all of them and handed his begging bowl to Nanda and went away.
Nandathought, "the Lord Buddha will take the bowl at the door step." But the Buddha went straight on without taking the bowl. Then Nanda thought, "He will take it at the palace gate." His bride, Janapada Kalyani, also saw Nanda following the Buddha and thought, "My husband may be going to the temple to send the Buddha off." Then she said, "Darling, don't be late, return quickly." When Prince Nanada went to the temple to return the bowl the Buddha asked him. "Nanda, do you like to be a monk?"
"Yes, Sir," said Nanda and the Buddha ordained him. But Nanda was afterwards very sad and unhappy. He was always thinking of his beautiful bride. Other monks saw him very sad and asked Nanda, "Why are you so sad, Nanda?"
"Brothers, I am disappointed. I do not like this monk's life. I want to leave it and go home," was Nanda's reply. They went and reported this matter to the Buddha. The Buddha showed him a charred she-monkey and then some fairies and asked him, "Nanda, which is more beautiful and charming your noble wife or these fairies?"
Nandathought, "the Lord Buddha will take the bowl at the door step." But the Buddha went straight on without taking the bowl. Then Nanda thought, "He will take it at the palace gate." His bride, Janapada Kalyani, also saw Nanda following the Buddha and thought, "My husband may be going to the temple to send the Buddha off." Then she said, "Darling, don't be late, return quickly." When Prince Nanada went to the temple to return the bowl the Buddha asked him. "Nanda, do you like to be a monk?"
"Yes, Sir," said Nanda and the Buddha ordained him. But Nanda was afterwards very sad and unhappy. He was always thinking of his beautiful bride. Other monks saw him very sad and asked Nanda, "Why are you so sad, Nanda?"
"Brothers, I am disappointed. I do not like this monk's life. I want to leave it and go home," was Nanda's reply. They went and reported this matter to the Buddha. The Buddha showed him a charred she-monkey and then some fairies and asked him, "Nanda, which is more beautiful and charming your noble wife or these fairies?"
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