Introduction
THE BUDDHIST CANON, otherwise known as the Tipitaka, is the collection of the entire teachings of the Buddha. From out of this vast collection, inspirational verses which touch the essence of what the Buddha taught were compiled and recorded in a book called DHAMMAPADA. These verses, arranged under twenty-six chapters with such headings as the Wise, Mindfulness, and Happiness are part of the earliest extant records of words uttered by the Buddha himself.
There are 423 verses in the Dhammapada, and behind each one of them is a story which bears a lesson of great moral value whether they concern such human flaws as pride and greed, or such virtues as compassion and generosity. It is primarily for this reason that for centuries throughout Southeast Asia, the Dhammapada stories have been used by parents to instruct and entertain their children and have been recounted by monks to inspire and enlighten those who came to seek their guidance.
As to whether the stories are really based on historical fact or merely the products of vividly imaginative minds, discussion still goes on, but it is evident that the stories may not be entirely precise in detail nor free from exaggeration. One is nevertheless advised to keep an open mind in order to be able to appreciate the moral lessons the stories are trying to convey. In any case, even those who do doubt their authenticity would have to agree that the lessons they teach provide food for reflection which may consequently give a whole new direction to the way one thinks and lives. Moreover, because the Buddha always suited his teachings to the age, temperament, character, and mental state of his listeners, one may just be able to identify with any of the characters that are depicted in the Dhammapada stories and benefit from that identification.
In addition, the Dhammapada stories are a valuable source of information regarding the personality of the Buddha himself: his temperament—the Buddha was always calm, patient and compassionate (no instance can be cited where the Buddha ever displayed any anger or spoke harshly); his great humility—he accepted food even from lowly servants and slaves, sometimes food that had already been partially eaten; his wisdom and skill in teaching—he was able to uproot the deep-seated unwholesome attitudes of even his most abusive and stubborn accusers and bring them to accept Right View.
“It is impossible to estimate how many human beings have refrained from telling a lie, killing an insect, spreading a rumor, or taking what is not given, by calling to mind a story from the Dhammapada at the right moment. If the world has experienced moments of compassion and wisdom in the face of greed, hatred, and delusion, the Dhammapada must be given its due share of credit for it.”
No doubt the Dhammapada will continue to be a source of inspiration and edification to all who seek spiritual upliftment within its pages.
I do believe you all would be able to extract morale of these stories and get moral benefits from these; then my efforts wouldn’t be in vain!
The Unfortunate Hunter
EARLY ONE MORNING, Koka was on his way out to hunt with his dogs when he saw a monk on his alms-round. Not particularly fond of monks, he thought that meeting one on the way would only bring him bad luck, meaning that he would probably not catch anything at all. And, indeed, as he feared, his game bag remained empty all day.
On his way home, Koka happened to come across the same monk he had seen earlier in the day. Still sore at the monk for having spoiled his hunt, he sought revenge by setting his dogs on him. The poor innocent monk just barely made it into the branches of a nearby tree when the dogs arrived snarling and snapping wildly at him. He sat there safely in the tree out of their reach until Koka came along and started poking the soles of his feet with the sharp end of one of his arrows. This made the poor monk jump about to avoid injury, and while he was doing so, his robe became undone and started slipping off him. Unable to hang on to it and keep his balance in the tree at the same time, the robe finally fell on Koka below, covering him up completely.
When the dogs saw the yellow robe, they mistook their master for the monk and attacked him mercilessly, mauling him to death.
Subsequently, the monk became fraught with guilt, feeling that it was his fault that Koka got killed. He went to seek the Buddha’s advice. The Buddha assured him that it was the hunter, not he, who was at fault, for Koka had tried to bring harm to someone who had done him no wrong. For that reason, Koka came to face an unfortunate death.
Morale of The Story
“Like fine dust thrown against the wind, evil falls back upon the fool who offends a harmless man, one pure and innocent.”
{Verse 125}
Doc Version Here In My Group:
___ http://www.facebook.com/groups/buddhismforbeginners ___
Related Articles:
Title- Dhammapada Stories- (1) The Lady & The Ogress
Title- Dhammapada Stories- (2) The Cruel Butcher
Title- Dhammapada Stories- (3) The Scholar Monk & The Arahat
Title- Dhammapada Stories- (4) Mindfulness Means Life
Title- Dhammapada Stories- (5) The Wandering Mind
Title- Dhammapada Stories- (6) The Fickle-Minded Monk
Title- Dhammapada Stories- (7) The Monk Whose Body Stunk
Title- Dhammapada Stories- (8) The Cure For Death
Title- Dhammapada Stories- (9) Bilalapadaka, The Selfish Rich Man
Title- Dhammapada Stories- (10) The Wise Merchant
Title- Dhammapada Stories- (11) The Innocent Monk
Title- The Dhammapada: The Buddha’s Path of Wisdom E-book
Title- Treasury of Truth-The Illustrated Dhammapada E-book
Title- Suttanta Pitaka-Khuddaka Nikaya-The Dhammapada Translated E-book
buddhismforbeginnersgroup 