A Certain Brahman

accesstoinsight.org — The story goes that this brahman, who was a holder of false views, went one day to the bank of the river to clear his field. The Teacher, seeing that he was ripe for stream-entry, went to the place where he was. The brahman, although he saw the Teacher, paid him no mark of respect, but remained silent. The Teacher was the first to speak and said, "Brahman, what are you doing?" — "Clearing my field, Sir Gotama." The Teacher said no more and went his way. On the following day the brahman went to plow his field. The Teacher went to him and asked, "Brahman, what are you doing?" — "Plowing my field, Sir Gotama." The Teacher, hearing his reply, went his way. On several days in succession the Teacher went to the brahman and asked the same question. Receiving the answers, "Sir Gotama, I am planting my field, I am weeding my field, I am guarding my field," the Teacher went his way. One day the brahman said to the Teacher, "Sir Gotama, you have been coming here ever since I cleared my field. If my crop turns out well, I will divide it with you. I will not myself eat without giving to you. Henceforth you shall be my partner." read more...

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Mara, The Evil One

accesstoinsight.org — Tradition has it that at this time kings who exercised rule oppressed the subjects over whom they ruled. As the Exalted One saw men punished and persecuted under the rule of these wicked kings, he was moved to compassion. And he considered thus within himself, "Is it not possible to exercise sovereignty without killing or causing to kill, without conquering or causing to conquer, without sorrow or causing sorrow, with justice and righteousness?" Now Mara the Evil One perceived within himself the thought that was passing through the mind of the Exalted One, and he reflected thus, "The monk Gotama is considering within himself, 'Is it not possible to exercise sovereignty?' It must be that he now desires to exercise sovereignty. And this thing which is called sovereignty is an occasion of heedlessness. If he does exercise sovereignty, I may be able to catch him off his guard. I will therefore go and arouse his ambition." read more...

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Maybe (Taoist story)

katinkahesselink.net — There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "Maybe," the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "Maybe," replied the old man. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. "Maybe," answered the farmer. The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "Maybe," said the farmer. read more...

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The Mandala

gakkaionline.net — In SGI, we practice to the Gohonzon. The Gohonzon is great because it has many different kinds of people and gods and Buddhas on it. It holds a lot of different stuff! Those people, gods, and Buddhas all represent feelings and emotions that each of us have inside. That's why it works in so many different ways for so many different people. The Gohonzon is a mandala. Mandala means "cluster of blessings." Many Buddhist sects have mandalas. Many mandalas are beautiful designs. Beautiful designs are fun to color. read more...

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The Jewel in the Topknot

gakkaionline.net — Once upon a time there was a great king. He was the greatest of kings and was called the Wheel-Rolling King. It was said that he owned a magical wheel of jewels that would spin while he governed. The king was a fine ruler, and when he found a country that was run by evil people, he would wage war against it. He continually fought such evil countries until he had crushed them all. The king was very glad to see that some of his soldiers were very brave in war. He rewarded these soldiers with treasures such as gold, silver, shell, agate, coral, and amber. He gave some of them farms, houses, villages, and cities. He also gave elephants, horses, and vehicles to those who were worthy. read more...

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Bodhisattva “Never Disparaging”

gakkaionline.net — Once there was a man who had a very hard way to practice Buddhism. Whenever he encountered another person, he would bow to that person and say, "I would never disparage you, for you are practicing the Buddha way and all of you will become Buddhas!" Because he said this to people, he was given the name Bodhisattva Never Disparaging. A bodhisattva is a person who practices Buddhism for the sake of others. And he was called “Never Disparaging” because of what he would say to people. To disparage means to look down on someone, to think ill of that person. read more...

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THE LOST SON

buddhism.kalachakranet.org — "A young widower, who loved his five year old son very much, was away on business when bandits came who burned down the whole village and took his son away. When the man returned, he saw the ruins and panicked. The took the burnt corpse of an infant to be his son and cried uncontrollably. He organised a cremation ceremony, collected the ashes and put them in a beautiful little bag which he always kept with him. Soon afterwards, his real son escaped from the bandits and found his way home. He arrived at his father's new cottage at midnight and knocked at the door. The father, still grieving asked: "Who is it?" The child answered, it is me papa, open the door!" But in his agitated state of mind, convinced his son was dead, the father thought that some young boy was making fun of him. He shouted: "Go away" and continued to cry. After some time, the child left. Father and son never saw each other again." After this story, the Buddha said: "Sometime, somewhere, you take something to be the truth. If you cling to it so much, even when the truth comes in person and knocks on your door, you will not open it." read more...

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THE THIEF

buddhism.kalachakranet.org — 'The 12th century master Geshe Ben was renowned for his goodness and integrity. Once, while begging for alms, a family of devout Buddhists invited him to their home to be fed. He was so hungry that he found it difficult to wait while his hosts were elsewhere preparing the meal. To his complete shock he found himself stealing food from a jar when no-one was looking. Geshe Ben suddenly burst into loud cries of "Thief! Thief! I've caught you red-handed." His hosts rushed into the room to find him berating himself and threatening his hand with being cut off it ever behaved like that again.' read more...

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