TEACHING IN ANCIENT FABLES

Fable 9

Once there were two demons who spent a whole day arguing and quarrelling about a box, a cane and a pair of shoes. A man passing by, inquired, “Why are you arguing about these things? What magical power have they that you should be quarrelling about possessing them?”

The demons explained to him that from the box they could get anything they desired – food, clothing or treasure; with the cane they could subdue all their enemies; and with the pair of shoes they could travel through the air.

Upon hearing this, the man said: “Why quarrel? If you will go away for a few minutes, I can think of a fair division of the things between you.” So the two demons retired and as soon as they were gone, the man put on the shoes, seized the box and the cane and was off through the air.

The “demons” represent men of heathen beliefs. “A box” means the gifts that are made in charity they do not realize how many treasures can be produced from charity. “A cane” means the practice of concentration of the mind. Men do not realize that by the practice of spiritual concentration of mind, they can subdue all worldly desires. “A pair of shoes” means the pure disciplines of thoughts and conduct, that will carry them beyond all desires and arguments. Without knowing these, they quarrel and argue about a box, a cane and a pair of shoes.

The above TEACHING IN ANCIENT FABLES is taken from THE TEACHING OF BUDDHA. May all who reads this article gain in wisdom and be well and happy. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

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