An Inspirational Story
(Ms Ritu Sinha)
(Ms Ritu Sinha)
Buddha never forgot the promise
he made to king Bimbisara to return and give him teachings. So when the time
was right, he journeyed to Rajagriha. Outside this royal city was a hill called
Vulture's Peak, and Buddha and many his disciples went and lived in caves
there? King Bimbisara often went to Vulture's Peak to hear the words of the
Buddha. The people of the city went too, and soon the number of Buddha's
followers grew very large.
After some time, the King and
several other rich people gave Buddha and his followers parks where everyone
could stay and listen to his teachings in comfort. Buddha's cousin, Devadatta,
became very jealous. "He has so many people following him,” he thought,
"and everyone shows him so much respect. But they all ignore me, and I am
as great as he is. I must destroy him!” He knew that he would need help in
killing the Buddha, so he went to King Billiards's son. "Don't you want to be King?" he
asked.
"Why should your father have
all the wealth and power?" Come, if you help me kill the Buddha, I shall
help you kill your father. Then you can become King in his place." The
King's son listened to these wicked words and agreed. Then the two of them
tried many ways to murder the Buddha. One day, while Buddha was sitting in
meditation near Vulture's Peak, they rolled a very large boulder down the hill
towards him. But just before it was going to crush him, the rock split in half,
leaving Buddha unharmed.
Another time, Buddha was walking
through the city with several of his closet disciples. The two men knew he was
coming and were ready. They had bought an elephant and gave it lots of liquor
to drink. When the elephant was quite drunk, they beat it with sticks until it
was crazy with anger. Then they released it in the direction of the Buddha,
hoping the elephant would trample him to death. When the disciples saw the
enraged elephant charging towards them, they ran away in fear. All except
Ananda, Buddha's closet companion, who stayed by his teacher's side, holding
onto Buddha's robe.
Buddha saw the elephant coming
and, instead of being frightened or angry, felt great love and pity for the
poor beast. Even though the elephant was drunk and crazed, it felt the power of
Buddha's love. It stopped charging and walked over to the Buddha meekly, and
then bowed down its large head at Buddha's feet.
Buddha patted the elephant gently
and turned and said to Ananda," The only way to destroy hatred is with
love. Hatred cannot be defeated with more hatred."
This is a very important lesson
for all to learn.
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