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LIFE
EVENTS AND TEACHINGS OF BUDDHA
Once
a mother who lost her son heard Buddha’s arrival in a
neighboring village. At once having heard Buddha’s fame and
his wide popularity approached him and begged him to restore
his son by some means or other as she had none to depend in
her old age and left orphaned without her only son. Thereupon
seeing her inconsolable state, ordered her to fetch him a
morsel of plain rice. As the poor mother was about to leave
him, he summoned her and placed a simple condition before her
to fetch the required quantity of the rice.
The
rice should be from a house where the inmates would not have
mourned the loss of any
one of their dear and near ones. The woman blinded by her
anxiety to get back her son she went from house to house
inquiring for a house hold that never suffered the demise of
any of its members within their living memory. Disappointed
she returned back to Buddha. She was thus given a practical
lesson by the ENLIGHETENED ONE, which made feel humble and
returned home comforted by THE BUDHA.
Buddha
was asked by many followers and admirers to explain on the
nature and state of ENLIGHTENMENT. Buddha consistently
remained silent. When persisted by innocent and ignorant
people, he would reply thus, “ Do not ask this. Because what
so ever I say will be untrue.” All our terms are dual.
Scriptural
attained the ultimate goal inspired by the teachings of THE
BUDHA. He then reported to BUDHA that “That the whole system
has disappeared” Then UDHA replied “keep silent. Don’t
say to others that it has disappeared. It has to disappear. It
was never there. It was a make believe. But it helped you to
come to this point. Don’t tell others. They have to come to
that stage by themselves. They cannot go to the unknown,
unguarded. They cannot go.”
Some
where near the forests of GAYA, where BUDHA attained
enlightenment, A
bunch of goondas, fully drunk took with them a beautiful young
woman with evil intentions. They stripped her naked. Before
they could lay their hands the young lady wriggled herself out
from their clutches. As they were fully drunk they could not
follow her stealthy steps in that forest area. While in the
process of searching the young woman they happened to pass by
BUDHA who was under the BO tree. They then inquired where a
bouts of the lady.
BUDHA
replied that he had heard and seen some thing passing
by. He was not sure whether that was a woman or man. He was
not sure whether it was young or old nor good looking or ugly!
When questioned about his ambiguous reply, BUDDHA answered
that he had already left the society of ordinary men and woman
.Hence had lost the tastes, the temperaments, the likes and
dislikes, the evaluations and ideals of mundane people. Hence
he is unable to help them. They felt ashamed and left from his
presence.
BUDDHA
once instructed his disciples on the process of self mastery.
He said
“Don’t forget yourself. While
walking and as the left foot moves forward say my left foot is
coming up. Say now I am placing it on the ground and my right
foot is moving forward. Say I am placing it on the ground and
my right foot moves forward, so on and so forth.”
“Similarly as you are breathing closely follow it and repeat
within yourself that now you are breathing in. Then while
breathing out say
that you are now breathing
the air out. Follow this quiet and silent exercise
within yourself for 24 hours. Then you will establish
self-mastery.”
After
twelve years of separation from his YASHODHARA and son RAHULA,
BUDDHA decided to see them first during his visit to
KAPILAVASTU after the attainment of BUDDHAHOOD. His
inseparable disciple and close companion ANANDA wished to
accompany and be nearer to him. On the other hand it was not
to be the wish of BUDDHA. Hence the latter advised him to
remain at the entrance to the Royal palace. Ananda was
surprised and shocked! He questioned at this decision of THE
BUDDHA. Was it double standard? Is this the real nature of
BUDDHA?
BUDDHA
began to explain. Sure I am no longer her husband. I am a
changed person. Yet all through these 12 years she remained as
my wife. She has not changed. It is not her fault. When left
alone to ourselves she might explode. She might cry, she might
shout at me. Her feelings thus will find a natural process to
get exhausted. Then it will be possible to pacify and convince
her on the mission of my life. Hence the need for you to
remain away from me for the time being. Convinced of the
wisdom of THE BUDDHA, ANADA remained at the entrance of the
Palace
After
twelve years of absence BUDHA visited KAPILAVASTU and met
princess YASHODHARA and young prince RAHUL. PRINCESS exploded,
cried, wept bitterly. Poured upon her husband PRINCE Sidhardha
shameless curses with vituperative vocabulary. With an
inimitable eternal smile BUDHA remained calm and quiet. He
then answered to the unjust accusation “OH BELOVED PRINCESS,
IF I DO NOT LOVE THEE, THEN WHY SHOULD I CALL UPON YOU FIRST?
Who has compelled me to visit you?” This at once
quietened the angry and inconsolable princess.
He
then asked for the young prince. Yashodhara summoned the
prince to the presence of his father. Yashodhara to her son
“ My son ask your father what he has brought to you from the
forests. Ask him your heritage from your father.” The Prince
obeyed mother’s command. BUDHA SUMMONE THE WAITING DISCIPLE
ANANDA AND TOOK FROM HIM HIS ALMS BOWL. Looking at
Rahul, BUDHA said “Rahul, my son, receive this, for this is
all my legacy to you. Follow me to the path of BUDHAHOOD which
alone is real.” Thus BUDHA admitted him Rahul and initiated
him as Buddhist BHIKKU. This was followed by the admission of
Yashodhara as a BHIKKUNI.
When
questioned about his identity, BUDHA used to reply thus,
“It is difficult to say.”
When people persisted further
thus, “Are you a
man or a woman?” BUDHA
would reply “Once I was a man. As a man my mind was
attracted and
filled with women.” “When women disappeared my man also disappeared
with them.” “ Now it is difficult to define who I am.”
ANANDA
TO BUDHA “What will happen to you when your body dies?”
BUDHA’S
reply: “ Ananda, why are you so concerned with future? Why
don’t you look at me , what is happening now?” “ I am
here and now. What will happen
in the future is not
the concern at all.”
The
man who came to BUDHA in the morning, asked : “Is there
God?”
BUDHA’S
reply: “Yes.”
The
man who came to Buddha in the afternoon asked: “Is there
God?”
BUDHA’S
reply: “No.”
The
man who came to BUDHA in the evening to question but remained quiet.
BUDHA’S
reply was silence.
ANANDA
when alone in the company of the great master questioned him
on his contradictions.
BUDHA
explained to Ananda thus: “The first visitor was an atheist.
He came for confirmation of his convictions. Hence my answer
to console him.’’
The
second man was a theist and he was also suffering from his
conviction of theism. He also wanted confirmation for his own
consolation. Hence my affirmation.
The
third man was neither. He was a simple and innocent man. He
was not asking for my confirmation. He had no ideology. He is
really a religious person. Hence I said to him through my
silence, be silent about this question. Don’t think about
it.
People mean different things. Their values are different.
Their association with words are different.
ANANDA
REMAINS PUZZLED AND CONFUSED
Buddha
explains thus: Don’t move with me. I will be involved with
many types of people. Do not listen to any thing that is not
said to you. If you listen you will get crazy and confused.
Remember
my answers are not to the questions. But they are to the
QUESTIONERS. I respond. I look at the man. I see through the
man. The man becomes transparent. And then this is my answer.
The question is irrelevant. The QUESTIONER is relevant.
YOU
CANNOT EXPECT CONSISTENCY FROM A PERFECTED PERSON.
(ENLIGHTENED PERSON.) Only unenlightened and ignorant person
can be consistent. Because they do not have to look. They just
follow some idea. Dead idea which they carry consistently.
Once
during the life of BUDHA a lake was formed out of river and
storm waters by local population spread over two kingdoms. The
innocent villagers, mostly agriculturists, unaware of the
cunning arts of stat policies and so called sovereignty of
royal authorities and cunning diplomatic relations of the
contemporary monarchs formed the lake with a view to share
according to their crop requirements. Their respective kings
soon entered in to the fray and each claimed the ownership of
the lake. Soon both armies were assembled in battle ready
condition. Suddenly, as if by a miracle BUDHA appeared and
stood in between the two armed forces.
He
then summoned both the
kings and with
a handful of soil in hand
questioned them thus,
“What is the value of this soil?”
Both replied “
None.”
BUDHA then took handful of water and asked them “What is the
worth of this
water?”
Both
replied “None.”
BUDHA then asked them, “What is the worth of king’s
blood?”
They
then replied thus, “Of course it is more precious.”
BUDHA then said to them, “Then who do you shed valuable
Royal blood for worth less water and soil?”
Thus BUDHA made them to see the sense and compromised them to
share according to the crop requirements based on the common
sense and wisdom of the local peasantry.
PEASANT
(To Buddha,) “You look hale and healthy. Why do you beg for
food? Look at us. We work hard. We raise crops and eat with
pride.”
BUDHA (To Peasant,) “ Do you think that manual work alone is
sufficient for raising crops?”” Then what about land?”
PEASANT:
“Yes we need land for crops.”
BUDHA:
“ Then you need seed,
isn’t it?”
PEASANT:
“Yes we need seeds also.”
BUDHA:
“Then you need raise as well?”
PEASANT:
“Yes we need rains also.”
BUDHA:
Just for raising crops you need so many aids. Then don’t you
think that for perfection of MAN you need some thing more than
mere crops?”
PEASANT:
“Yes we need.”
BUDHA:
“Then think then people who are labouring for the perfection
of human existence are also essential like peasants.”
Once
four men were almost quarrelling on the existence of GOD. Then
BUDHA questioned them separately, asking the same type of
questions thus:
BUDHA:
Did you see God?” When they replied in the negative, then he
asked them again, “Did your father saw
God?” Then he received the same reply. Again he put
another question to each separately, “What about your grand
father or great grand father or any of your ancestors?” The
replies were all in the negative.
BUDHA
then advised them thus: At least you see each other. Love one
another. Live in peace. Without seeing God why do you quarrel
with one another? Love and serve one another, experience
DIVINITY WITHIN and then talk.”
Anguli
Mala was a notorious thief who lived in jungles and often
robbed helpless wayfarers and lonely merchants. He was a sworn
enemy of BUDHA for some unknown reason. One day he happened to
see BUDHA alone in the forest. At once he took a decision to
pounce upon him and kill him. He began to run towards BUDDHA
thinking that the latter would run for his life. But
Angulimala on the other hand found himself running but never
catching up with BUDHA, though the latter never attempted to
run.
ANGULIMALA(To
BUDDHA,) :” Do not run. Keep standing. I want to kill
you.”
BUDHA To
Angulimala,) “ I am not running. If you want to reach me
stand there. If you begin to run you will never catch
me.” ANGULIMALA with that advice began a
new chapter in his life by giving up his old ways of life. He
became one of the ardent followers of BUDDHA.
BUDDHA
maintained a big drum which he declared would be one day
used only when some one makes /offers a greatest
sacrifice towards public good. Curious men of wealth as well
as devout Royal followers several precious offerings expecting
BUDDHA to beat
the big drum. Yet all were disappointed. One day a starving
lady offered all
her simple and pitiful savings and breathed her last. Then
BUDDHA himself handled the DRUM and proclaimed the worth and
meaning of real SACRIFICE to the WORLD.
BUDDHA
was on a long journey across hills and dales and wild jungles.
As he was accompanied by dozens of MONKS, he was often guided
by the chiefs and leaders of local tribes and rural
communities. Once while passing through a dense forest, a
certain forest hunting chief who was escorting the Buddhist
Monks headed by BUDDHA requested
the Noble teacher to accept an humble dinner at his home.
BUDDHA
gave his consent. As they reached the chief’s Home after the
formal ceremonies in accordance to the customs of the chief
dinner was served. Every one except the Noble Teacher BUDDHA,
were stunned and remained
in a state of shock. Yet the chief who could not under
stand neither their silence nor their dilemma, began to plead
with his venerable guests, to begin without
further delay, as the hot
dishes comprising the animal food of a variety of
choicest young breed was getting cool.
As
all the members of the seated guests were looking at BUDHA,
without breath , BUDDHA started to eat the prohibited food
giving the green signal to follow his example. Out of infinite
love and respect to their GREAT MASTER, the old and young
including many who forgot the smell and sight of the animal
food almost started swallowing with noses under tight
control. BUDDHA took
the flesh of the tender pork (SUKARA MADHAVA,). His advanced
age, his long years of vegetarian habits, affected his
digestion. He fell ill passed away in a couple of days.
Buddha
met once an old disciple who was absent for nearly twenty
years. On enquiry h came to know that the man went to do
penance in order to acquire the power of walking on the water.
Buddha then asked the man the actual cost of payment to a boat
man who ferries across rivers and lakes. The man told him that
it was just a few paise. Buddha then said what a stupid man
you are to waste twenty precious years of life just to escape
payment to a poor boatman.
BUDDHA
when he went for alms with his begging bowl, an house holder
scolded him.
BUDDHA
(To the house holder,) “Sir if you had given alms or some
thing and suppose I accept it, then what would happen?”
HOUSE
HOLDER: “Then it would have come to you and remained with
you.”
BUDDHA:
“If had refused then what would happen?”
HOUSE
HOLDER:”THE SAME WOULD REMAIN WITH ME.”
BUDDHA:
“ When I asked ALMS you have poured given
curses and thrown vituperative vocabulary. I am not
going to accept it.. Hence it would remain with you.” So
saying BUDDHA walked
away from that place.
BUDDHA
went to a villager who not only refused alms but proudly
announced that he was a cultivator. BUDDHA replied to him
thus, “I am also a Cultivator.
I irrigate the hearts of the people and reap the fruits of
their merciful conduct.”
Once,
while on his preaching tours
he stayed in a Buddhist ARAMA located in a beautiful garden.
He was delivering a series of talks in DHAMMA to his fellow
monks as well as to the rural
folk who gathered to listen to the great master.
Surprisingly As he entered the garden, birds which were quit
al along, started chirping, cooing and singing as if
expressing their pleasure at the arrival of the MASTER.
BUDDAHA
kept silent. Every body followed the MASTER’S example. Every
body attuned themselves to the pleasant sounds of the birds.
Exactly an hour later the music of the sounds ceased all at
once as if at the command or signal of a symphony conductor.
BUDDHA who was scheduled TO DELIVER HIS SERMON FOR AN HOUR,
stood up and announced that the SERMON WAS OVER. He then
requested them to quietly disperse o their respective
destinations.
Just
before the MAHANIRVANA, BUDDHA was asked to give his message
to the waiting monks,nuns,laydisciples, admirers and ardent
followers. thereupon BUDDHA uttered the following message,
“APPO DIPPO BHAVA.” It means “ Know and be yourselves as
witnesses .”/ In other words literally it means, “Be thou
as lights.” Or same as “Know Thyself.” “Tatvam Asi.”/That
thou art.
BUDDHA
and ANANDA were enroute to a particular destination in the
rural area. Ananda sought guidance from the way side rural
folk as to the exact duration to their destination. At a
particular place the villagers told them, “Just ahead. March
on.” After 2 hours of walk again ANADA enquired
from a second set of way side rural group. They said,
“ March on just ahead.” After two hours of journey ANADA
enquired again from a third set of villagers. The reply
was the same. A fourth and a fifth set said the same thing
after similar durations. ANADA in utter disgust expressed his
poor opinions abound the INDIAN RURAL FOLK as a set of
ignoramuses.
BUDDHA
remarked that the real ignorant person was ANADA and the rural
folk. He explained that basically the rural folk of India were
OPTIMISTS. Despite periodical droughts, floods, pests and out
break of mass killing diseases, they never abandon their
pursuits. They till lands and hope. Hence they only encouraged
us to go ahead without feeling disillusionment. THEY ARE THUS
POSITIVISTS.
BUDDHA
and Sariputta were in conversation. Suddenly Sariputta began
to praise his MASTER. BUDDHA who could not relish this flatter
began the following conversation.
BUDDHA:
‘ Of course SARIPUTTA you have known all the BUDDHAS of the
past?”
SARIPUTTA:
“No Lord.”
BUDDHA:
“Well then you know those of the future?”
SARIPUTTA:”No
Lord.”
BUDDHA:
“ Then at least you me and
have penetrated my
mind thoroughly?”
SARIPUTTA:”Not
even that Lord.”
BUDHA:
“ Then why SARIPUTTA are
your words
are so grand and
bold?”
BUDDHA
was opposed the clamour for the mere increase of the number
among his followers. He was more anxious that his followers
should understand
the truth than blindly follow him. Thus he advised
URUVELA KASSAPA to go first to his people, assure them his
loyalty and services before he accepts conversion.
Similarly
he told SIHA, the Lichchavi General to assure
his people (All of them JAINS,) his continued services
and then come to accept conversion.
Buddha
PROHIBHITED exhibition
of SUPER HUMAN POWERS
by his MONKS. He
said “ It is because I perceive danger in the practice of
mystic wonders that I loath and abhor and am ashamed there
of.(KEVADDH SUTTA.)
He CONDEMNED ALL KINDS OF divinations, fore telling or
forecasting as “LOW ARTS.” (BRAHMA JALA SUTTA.)
SUNAKATTA,
THE LICHAVI CHIEF deserted
BUDDHA and began to spread slander on his teachings. When told
about this BUDDHA replied “Who doth
not when
reviled revile
again, a two fold victory wins.”
“
Abuse that is not answered is like the food rejected by the
guest which
reverts to the host.”
This
episode is given in the Lankavatara sutta.
BUDHA:
“ This is only MIND. Hell is mind. Heaven is mind.
Enlightenment is mind. World is mind.”
MAHAMATI:
“ Just mind! Even NIRVANA? Even enlightenment? Just mind?”
BUDHA:
Just MIND, Mahamati. Even. nirvana, enlightenment, just
mind.”
When
you understand that every thing is just MIND, you are freed.
Then there is no BODAGE, there is no Desire.”
Poorna
was one of the younger sishyas of BUDHA. After receiving his
initiation from Buddha, Poorna sought permission from Him to
go to SONAPURA. In those days Sonapura was known for its
wickedness. Hence BUDHA asked a series of questions before
granting permission.
B:
What would you do if they abused you?
P:
I shall feel glad that they have not beaten me.
B:
Supposing that they have beat you with their hands?
P:
I shall be glad that they have not stoned me.
B:
Supposing that they stone you?
P:
I shall rejoice that they have not lathied me
B:
Supposing that they lathied you?
P:
I shall be gratified that they have not hit me with any
weapon.
B:
Supposing that they have used a weapon?
P:
I shall feel happy that they have not killed me.
B:
Supposing they kill you?
P:
My soul will rejoice that they have released my body from this
bondage and save me from the chance of committing suicide one
day.
On
hearing these prompt and sedate replies from young Poornima.
BUDHA gave the
necessary permission to go to Sonapura.
EGO
is nothing but just DESIRES, ATOMIC DESIRES. There are
Millions of DESIRES are there. They make. Go on pulling out
desires one by one: A moment will come when there is no
desire. You have disappeared. Just space, vacant space
remains. This is SILENCE. THIS IS NIRVANA.
Disciple:
Master what have you gained?
BUDHA:
I have not gained any thing but i have lost many things. I
have lost my desires, my dreams, my sleep, my anger, my greed,
my ambition, my ego- I have lost so many things. i have gained
nothing, nothing at all. But by loosing all those things I
have come home. I have become just myself, a purity, a
clarity, a cloudless sky.
At
the bamboo groove a Brahmin called Pippali who was already
practicing for a
long time abstinence joined Buddha’s party. After only three
lessons from the Master Pippali was ordained as
Kasyapa. This happened at Venuvana. He spontaneously
prostrated at the feet of the Blessed one. At a later stage he
was destined to play an important role.
This
took place in the sixth year after the enlightenment. This
took place while refuting
six heretics in a public debate in the presence of
King Prasnajit. This miracle took place much against
his liking as he
himself prohibited Monks not to practice miracles to win
converts but to win them only through their compassion and
wisdom. This event is described as ‘The Miracle of the mango
tree’. At his bidding a
mango tree sprouted magically. He then performed the twin
miracles of alternating productions
of FIRE and WATER!( Water from His feet and Fire shooting from
His shoulders.) He then materialized and multiplied his own
IMAGE, in four positions, “Standing, walking, sitting and
lying down”. The confusion among the heretics was such that
one of them called PURANA, even drowned himself.
NOTE:
The Sravasti miracle was
one of the four most important ones. The other four
PRIMOPRDIAL MIRACLES are I) Final Birth, II) Attainment of
enlightenment, III) Setting in motion of the Wheel of Law, IV)
Total Extinction.
while
Buddha was sojourning at Jetavana, some of the jealous ill
wishers set a pregnant woman belonging to an
itinerary sect prompted
her to defame the
Blessed one. She thus set up by her teachers tried to
convince that
Buddha was responsible for her pregnancy. Her cunning deed
backfired and she fled Jetavana under shouts and boos.
The
ill wishers and evil doers who were jealous of Buddha’s
fame, contrived by
using the mortal remains of one SUNDARI, which were
purportedly found buried near Buddha’s cell. However the
plotters did not succeed in implicating the Blessed one and
their crime was punished by human justice.
seventh
year after enlightenment.
First convert
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