Buddha's Tales for Young and Old Volume 2 Text Only

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65
Tale 64, 65 Country Man and City Wife
[Adultery]
Once upon a time, there was a well-known teacher who taught in and
around Benares. He had over 500 students. One of these was from the
distant countryside. Knowing little about the ways of city folks, he fell in
love with a Benares girl and married her. After the marriage he resumed his
studies with the famous teacher. But he started missing classes, sometimes
staying away for two or three days at a time.
His wife was used to doing whatever she wanted. Even though she was
married to the student, she was not loyal and faithful. She still had secret boy
friends.
It just so happened that after she had been with a boy friend, she acted very
humble with her husband. She spoke softly and tried very hard to please
him. But on other days, when she had done nothing wrong, she was rude
and domineering. She yelled at her husband and nagged him. This drove the
man crazy. He was completely confused by how differently she acted from
one day to the next.
The countryman was so disturbed that he stayed away from classes. And
while he remained home he discovered that his city wife was unfaithful. He
was upset that he missed school for seven or eight days.
When he finally showed up, the famous teacher asked, Young man, you
have been away so long. What was the matter? He replied, Sir, my wife is
cheating on me very much, and acts as humble as a servant. But on other
days she is arrogant and domineering, rough and rude. I can t figure her out.
I don t know what to do or where to go for help. That s why I couldn t
attend your classes.
The teacher said, Young man, don t worry. Rivers can be bathed in by
anyone, rich or poor. Highways too are open to all. Generous people build
roadside rest houses to gain merit, and anyone can sleep there. Likewise, all
are welcome to take water from the village well.
So too, there are some women who won t be faithful to one man. They
love to keep their secret boy friends. That s just the way some people are.
It s hard to understand why they act the way they do. But why get angry
about what you cannot change?
66
On the days when your wife has been with a boy friend, those are the days
she acts meek and mild. But on the days when she has done nothing wrong,
those are the days she acts rough and rude. That s just the way some people
are. So why get angry about what you cannot change?
Accept her the way she is. Treat her in the same understanding way,
whether she is kind or mean to you. Why get angry about what you cannot
change?
The student from the countryside followed the famous teacher s advice.
His city wife s behaviour no longer upset him. And when she realised that
her actions were no longer secret, she gave up her boyfriends and changed
her ways.
The moral is: Understanding relieves anger.
67
Tale 66, 251 The Wisdom of Queen
Tenderhearted
[Lust]
Once upon a time, the Enlightenment Being was born into a rich high-class
family in Kasi, in northern India. He grew to young manhood and
completed education. Then he gave up ordinary desires and left the
everyday world. He became a holy man and went to live by himself in the
Himalayan forests. He meditated for a long time, developed high mental
powers, and was filled with inner happiness.
Having run out of salt, one day he came down to the city of Benares. He
spent the night in the royal garden. In the morning he washed himself, tied
his tangled hair knot on top of his head, and dressed in a black antelope
skin. He folded up the robe made of red bark, which he usually wore. Then
he went to the city to collect almsfood.
When he arrived at the palace gate, King Brahmadatta was walking back
and forth on his terrace. When he saw the humble looking holy man he
thought there is such a thing as perfect calm, this man must have found it!
He had his servants bring him into the palace.
The holy man was seated on a luxurious couch and was fed the very best
foods. He thanked the king. The king said, You are welcome to live in my
royal garden permanently. I will provide the Four Necessities food,
clothing, shelter and medicine. In so doing I may gain merit leading to
rebirth in a heaven world.
The holy man accepted this kind offer. He spent the next 16 years living in
the royal garden of Benares. During that time he taught all in the king s
family, and received the Four Necessities from the king.
One day King Brahmadatta decided he must go to a frontier area and put
down a revolt. Before leaving he ordered his queen to care for the needs of
the holy man. Her name was Queen Tenderhearted.
She prepared food every day for the holy man. Then one day he was late in [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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