Friendship: Fool vs. Foe (Jataka)

Wisdom Quarterly; E.B. Cowell (ed.), The Jataka: Stories of the Buddha's Former Births (Cambridge Univ. Press, 1895), Book 1, No. 44. "Mosquito and Carpenter" (Makassa Jataka)

Vishvakarma or "Carpenter's Cave," Ajanta/Ellora Buddhist archeological site India, has a carved cathedral-shaped ceiling giving the impression of wooden beams (nozomiiqel/CC)

  

"Senseless friends" -- A rebirth story was recounted by the Buddha while on alms round in Magadha, about certain foolish villagers in a neighboring hamlet. Tradition has it that after traveling from the prosperous city of Sāvatthi to the kingdom of Magadha [where King Bimbisara reigned], the Buddha arrived at the village with its throngs of fools. 

(science.howstuffworks.com)

These foolish villagers met together one day debating, "Friends, when we are at work in the jungle, mosquitoes devour us, which hinders our work. Arming ourselves with bows, arrows, and other weapons, let us go to war with the mosquitoes and shoot or hack them all to death." 

Off they went to the jungle shouting, "Shoot down the mosquitoes!" But they shot and struck one another until they were in a sad state and returned only to sink on the ground in or within the village or at its entrance.

  

Surrounded by the Monastic Order, the Buddha entered the village on a quest for alms. The sensible inhabitants of the village as soon as they saw the Buddha set up a pavilion at the village entrance. And after bestowing the wandering ascetics headed by the Buddha with alms, they bowed respectfully and seated themselves. 

  

Observing wounded men lying around on this side and that, the Buddha asked the monastics, "These disabled men laying about, what happened to them?" 

"Venerable sir," they explained, "they went forth bent on war with the mosquitoes, only to shoot one another and so disable themselves."
 

The Buddha then said, "This is not the first time that these foolish people have dealt out blows to themselves instead of to the mosquitoes they meant to kill. In former times, too, there were those who set out to hit a mosquito only to hit a fellow-creature instead." So saying, at the villagers' request, he told this story of the past.

(Nh53/flickr.com)

  

JATAKA 

Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisat gained his livelihood as a trader.

 

In those ancient days, in a frontier village in Kasi, there lived a number of carpenters. By chance one of them, a balding gray-haired man, was whittling away at some wood. His scalp glistened like a copper bowl as a mosquito settled on it and stung him like a dart.

 

The carpenter said to his beloved son who was sitting nearby: "Be a good boy, son. There's a mosquito stinging my head. Drive it away."

 

"Hold still, father," answered the son. "One blow will settle it."

 

Now at that very moment the Bodhisat arrived at the village to trade. And he was sitting in the carpenter's shop.

 

"Rid me of it!" cried the father.

 

"All right, father," answered the son, who was standing behind the old man raising a sharp axe intent on killing just the mosquito. He swung and cleft his father's head in two. The old man fell dead on the spot.

  

The Bodhisat, an eye-witness to this tragic event, thought to himself: "Better than having such a foolish 'friend' is having an enemy with sense, for even just the fear of human vengeance will deter from killing a person." Then he recited these lines: 
 

Senseless friends are worse than sensible foes;

Witness the son who sought the gadfly to slay,

But, poor fool, instead cleft his father's skull in two.

  

So saying the Bodhisat rose up and departed, later passing away to fare according to his karmic deserts. As for the carpenter, his body was cremated by his kinsfolk.

CONCLUSION

"Therefore, lay followers," said the Buddha, "in bygone times too there were those who, seeking to hit a mosquito, struck down a fellow-creature." This lesson ended, he pointed out the connection by identifying the rebirth: "In those days I myself was the wise and good trader who departed after repeating the stanza."

Part III. Friendship

Buddha at Sukhothai (Aidan McRae Thomson/flickr)

(Wisdom Quarterly translation, "A Brief Code of Buddhist Ethics," DN 31)
FALSE FRIENDS
..."These four, young householder, should be understood as Foes in the Guise of Friends:

1. one who borrows your possessions,
2. one who renders lip-service,
3. one who flatters,
4. one who encourages ruin.

[Why?] "In four ways, young householder, should one who borrows your possessions be understood to be a foe in the guise of a friend:

One borrows with no thought of returning,
appropriating everything.
One gives little wanting much in return.
What one must do one does out of fear.
One is always looking out for selfish ends.

"In four ways, young householder, should one who renders lip-service be understood to be an adversary disguised as a friend:

1. One speaks proudly of favors attempted in the past.
2. One makes friendly vows regarding the future.
3. One tries to gain favor with empty words.
4. One pleads inability when an opportunity to be of service actually arises.

"In four ways, young householder, should one who flatters be understood to be a foe masquerading as a friend: More on friendship

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Daydreaming: Where do we go? (audio)

Terrence McNally, Dec. 2, 2012 (aWorldThatJustMightWork.com); Wisdom Quarterly

The power of story -- even in Japanese (English below) -- transports us. Where do we go when we go off in our heads full of wonder, or bored, in search of the next story to learn from?

Story taught to monkey, Java (Mararie/flickr)

This week’s show is about story and narrative with Jonathan Gottschall, author of The Storytelling Animal. Although this is not about Obama or politics, Barry  reveals the overwhelming importance of story in our lives:

In a July 2012 interview with Charlie Rose, Obama said that “the mistake” of the early years of his presidency was his failure to be a better storyteller:

 

The Buddha, master storyteller of Jataka Tales

“The mistake of my first couple of years was thinking that this job was just about getting the policy right. And that’s important. But the nature of this office is also to tell a story to the American people that gives them a sense of unity and purpose and optimism, especially during tough times.” If given a second term he says he will “spend more time with the American people, listening to them, but also being in a conversation with them about where do we go as a country?”

The late evolutionary biologist Steven Jay Gould called humans “the primate who tells stories…” And it’s not just Gould. Anthropologists have found societies that have existed for millennia without the wheel, but they’ve never found one that doesn’t tell stories.

 

Siddhartha daydreaming about what it would be like to be free (Nitin_Paul/flickr.com)

 

A World That Just Might Work, the website, leads with: “On the radio, I tell stories of a world that just might work. As a consultant, I help you tell yours.” Building on time as a teacher, two decades in the entertainment industry, and 15 years of radio interviews, I help non-profits, foundations, public agencies, and businesses tell better stories and build better narratives.

 

What does Gottschall have to say about the latest science on the subject? Why is narrative so powerful? What is its evolutionary value? And can what we’re learning help us get even better at tapping its power?

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"The Monkey's Heart" (Rebirth Tale)

Stories of the Buddha's Former Births (The Jataka) edited by E.B. Cowell (Cambridge University Press, 1895), Book 2, No. 20; more at Pitt.edu; updated by Wisdom Quarterly

Mr. Monkey (John Downer/materialismisanaddiction/facebook.com)

   

Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta [the "Buddha-to-be"] was reborn in the Himalayan foothills as a monkey. He grew strong and sturdy, with a healthy frame, living by a curve of the river Ganges in the forest.

  

Mr. Crocodile (Jon Sevcik/Naturephoto.cz)

Now at that time there was a crocodile dwelling in the Ganges. The crocodile's mate saw the great frame of the monkey, and she conceived a longing to eat his heart. So she said to her mate, "Sir, I desire to eat the heart of that great king of the monkeys!"

  

"Good wife," answered the crocodile, "I live in the water, and he lives on dry land. How can we catch him?"

  

"By hook or by crook," she replied, "he must be caught. If I don't get him, I shall die."

  

"All right," replied the crocodile, consoling her, "don't trouble yourself. I have a plan. I will give you his heart to eat."

  

Kind monkey kissing kitty (animalszooguru)

When the Bodhisatta was sitting on the bank of the Ganges, after taking a drink of water, the crocodile drew near and said to him, "Good monkey, why do you live on bad fruits in this old familiar place? On the other side of the Ganges there are many mango and labuja trees with fruit sweet as honey! Would it not be better to cross over and gain all kinds of wild fruit to eat?"

  

"Lord crocodile," the monkey answered, "the Ganges is deep and wide. How would I get across?"

  

"Well, if you want to go, I shall let you ride on my back, and I will carry you over."

   

The monkey trusted him and agreed. "Come here, then," beckoned the crocodile. "Up on my back with you!" Up the monkey climbed. But when the crocodile had swum a little way, he plunged the monkey under the water.

  

"Good friend, you are letting me sink!" cried the monkey. "What is that for?"

  

Nagas surround mammal in cage (wikipedia)

The crocodile roared, "You think I am carrying you out of pure good nature? Not a bit of it! My wife has a longing to eat your heart, and I intend to give it to her!"

   

"Friend," explained the monkey, "it is nice of you to tell me. But if our hearts were inside us, when we monkeys go swinging among the tree tops they would be all knocked to pieces!"

   

"Well, then, where do you keep it?" asked the crocodile.

  

The Bodhisatta pointed out a fig tree with clusters of ripe fruit standing close by. "See there," he said, "hanging on that fig tree? There are our hearts."

  

"If you will show me your heart," offered the crocodile, "then I won't kill you."

  

Monkey's kindness to pigeon (paleonym)

"Take me to the tree, and I will point it out to you."

  

The crocodile ferried him to the place. The monkey leaped off his back, and climbing up the fig tree sat high in it. "Oh, silly crocodile!" he yelled back. "You thought that there were creatures that kept their hearts in the treetops! You are silly, and now you are outwitted! You may keep your [karmic] fruit for yourself. Your body is great, but you have no sense!"

  

Then to explain this idea he uttered the following stanzas:
 

Roseapple, jackfruit, mangoes, too, across the water there I see;

Enough of them, I want them not; my fig is good enough for me!

Great your scaly body, verily, but how small your serpent wit!

Now go your own way, crocodile, for I have had the best of it.

   

The crocodile, feeling as silly and miserable as if he had lost a thousand pieces of money, went back sorrowing to the place where he lived. More

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• The Buddha's "twin miracle" as Vaudeville act?
• The Buddha's "twin miracle"?
• Weinergate Part II: Justin Bieber to pay to keep nude photos of "Mr. Bieber" off the Web

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Lady Gaga barfs on stage (video) + Sutra

Amber Dorrian, Bela, Seven, Wisdom Quarterly; video courtesy of HowToGetMad

(thehollywoodgossip.com)

BARCELONA - Demonstrating the influence of little Justin Bieber to set trends, previously fashion-forward lipsyncher Lady Gaga vomited live on stage in Spain while performing "The Edge of Glory." 

  

She was on the edge of finishing up her 24 song set when, sometime during Song 23, a visceral constriction created a spontaneous rhythmic ejection of the contents of her stomach with what seems to be a pink (perhaps bloody) phlegm-like substance. Then it happened again and yet again. How long before Ashley Simpson jumps on the bandwagon?

I won't be outdone by that kid!

During his Believe Tour, The Beebs blamed it on junk food consumed with radio personalities before the show. Goodness knows what Lady Gag' will come up with. But she is being good humored about it. And the most amazing thing is, she kept dancing! Does that mean she's lip-syncing through her entire tour? Or is she trying to lose those extra 25 pounds she padded on eating junk food the old-fashioned way? Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a serious syndrome, much worse than BDSM cravings!

The professional dancer along side her was unfazed in his performance proving what many of the greats say: "The show must go on!" At least that was the underlying message in "Moulin Rouge" when Nicole Kidman did all that Indian dancing for Baz Luhrmann.

The translation on one of the videos reads, "During her concert in Barcelona on October 6, the new queen of pop, it seems, felt unwell and vomited on stage!" Gags simply tweeted, "SPAIN, you took the piss outta me. Thats some hard bodied pop stuff. I'll never forget tonight Barcelona. FOREVER."

The Real Thing
Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly translation; C.B. Varma (Baveru Jataka, Jt. 313, 339)

Buddha, Mandalay (gorbulas_sandybanks/flickr.com)

Once upon a time the merchants of Varanasi traveled to Baveru Island. They carried a crow with them. At that time there were no birds anywhere on the island. So most people had never seen one. When the crow was put on display, the people thronged to look with great curiosity.

Some remarked, “Look at its glossy color!” Others said, “Look at its silky fur! Still others marvelled, “Look at its pretty beak and jeweled eyes!” In this way many people praised the crow.

They approached the merchants and pleaded, “Sirs, you have others like this in your land. Sell us this one, and you find another.” They offered one piece of money for the bird. The merchants agreed to sell but demanded a higher price. Finally, they made a deal -- 100 pieces for the crow.

The islanders gleefully carried their new pet in a pompous procession throughout the island then placed it in a golden cage. The crow was treated to a variety of foods and desserts and lived happily in spite of being known for ten evil characteristics, enjoying all sorts of gain and praise.

A New Arrival

Merchants arrive with new bird (jathakakatha.org)

When the merchants next visited Baveru, they brought along a peacock. The peacock was trained to sing at a finger snap and dance at the clapping of hands. When it was put on display, it greatly amused the islanders with its singing and dancing.

The new peacock proved far more alluring than the old crow. Charmed, the people went to the merchants and eagerly expressed a desire to purchase it. They reasoned with the merchants: “Sirs, you have birds like this in your land. Sell us this one, and you find another in your land”

Royal peacock (geraldguild.com)

The merchants, wanting a better bargain, replied: “Sirs! We first brought a crow, and you took it from us. Now we bring a peacock, and you want to take that, too? Next time we will not bring any bird here.” The people insisted offering a higher and higher price. Finally, a deal was agreed on of 1,000 pieces of money.
 
The people placed the peacock in a cage made of seven jewels. They then treated it to all sorts of food, honey, fried snacks, and so on. The crow hardly got any attention at all. Nobody offered it anything.

One day seizing the opportunity it flew out of its cage with a shrill “Caw, caw!” and settled on a dunghill.

Before the crested peacock appeared

The crow enjoyed gain and was revered

Since to Baveru the honey-voiced peacock came

The crow was shorn of all its praise and fame.

So people to diverse priests due honor paid,
Till the Buddha the full light of truth displayed:
For when the sweet-sounding Buddha preached the law,
From heretics their gifts and praise people withdraw.

The Buddha concluded the Rebirth Tale (Jataka) with these stanzas and by pointing out that in the past the crow had been the Nigantha Nataputta (Mahavira, the founder of Jainism) and the Bodhisatta himself had been the peacock.

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