Monthly Archives: January 2014
196. The Bodhisatta And The Mitta Vindaka
Once upon a time, in the days of the Buddha Kassapa, there was a Brother who lived the village. He was regular in his conduct as a Brother, virtuous in his life, and was filled to overflowing with insight. There was also an Elder, an Arahat, who lived with his fellows on terms of equality, and at the time of the story paid a first visit to the village where lived the squire who supported this Brother.
So pleased was the squire, taking his bowl, he led him into the house and with every mark of respect invited him to eat. Then he listened to a short discourse by the Elder, and at its close said, with a bow, “Sir, please go to our monastery close by; in the evening I will come and call upon you there.” So the Elder went to the monastery. Saluting the resident Brother on his entrance, he entered the monastry. The Resident Brother received him with all friendliness, and asked whether any food had been given him as alms.
195. The Bodhisatta And The Merchant
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born in a brahmin family, and when he was of age he studied all the arts at Takkasila, and subsequently adopted the religious life of and ascetic. One day, he went to Benares to procure salt and vinegar, and, taking up his abode in a garden, on the next day he entered the city for alms. There was a merchant as Benares, who was a faithful believer. The Bodhisatta asked which was a believing household, and on hearing of the merchant’s family, he went to the door of his house. At that moment the merchant had gone to pay his respects to the king, and neither did any of his people happen to see him. So he turned back and came away.
194. The Bodhisatta And The Men Of Proper Observances
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was one of his courtiers.
A fat and badly dressed country woman, who works for hire, was passing near the courtyard of the palace. In order to relieve the nature’s call, she, bending down with her raiment decently gathered round her, accomplished her purpose, and was erect again in a trice.
193. The Bodhisatta And The Medicine
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born a Brahmin in a very distinguished family. After perfecting his education at Takkasila, he became a teacher of world wide fame in Benares. Prince and Brahmins from various countries flocked as his deciples.
Now a country Brahmin, who had learned from the Bodhisatta the three Vedas and the eighteen Sciences had stopped coming.
This Brahmin had a wife who was a bad, wicked woman. When the Brahmin explained the reasons for absenting from the class, the Bodhisatta, knew that the brahmin’s wife was only feigning sickness, thought to himself, “I will tell him what medicine will cure the creature.” So he said to the Brahmin, “My Son! Do not give her dainties; but collect the urine of cows and mix with five kinds of fruit. Put them in a copper pot and keep it open all along the night. Then take a rope or stick and go to your wife, and tell her plainly she must either swallow the medicine or else work for her food. If she refuses the remedy, then give her one or two blows. You will find that at the mere threat she will get up and do the her work.”
Then the brahmin did as the Bodhisatta had directed and went to his wife and asked her to drink the nedicine.
“Who prescribed this?” said she.
“The master,” said her husband.
“Take it away, I won’t have it.”
The young Brahmin said, “So you won’t have it. well then, you have either swallow down that medicine or else to work for your meals.”
Terrified by this, the woman Kosiya realized that there is no way deceiving, got up and went to work. And the consciousness that the master knew her wickedness made her repent, she become a good wife.
