The Silent Buddha
[Generosity]
40
Long, long ago, there lived a very rich man in Benares. When
his father passed away, he inherited even more wealth. “Why should I horde this
treasure for myself? Others should also benefit from these riches.” With that thought,
he built dining halls at the four gates of the city - North, South, East and
West. In these halls, he gave food freely to all who wanted it. He became
famous for his generosity. He and his followers were also renowned for being
practitioners of the Five Precepts. In this story, a Silent Buddha happened to
be meditating in the forest near Benares. He was called a Buddha as he was
enlightened. He knew all living beings were one and no different. He was able
to experience life as it really was, in each and every moment.
As he was the Awakened One, he was filled with compassion and
sympathy for the suffering of all beings. He wished to teach and help them to
be enlightened just like him. But the time during which our story took place
was a most unfortunate time. It was a time when nobody was able to understand
the Truth and experience life as it really was. The Buddha knew this, that was
why he remained silent.
While meditating in the forest, the Silent Buddha entered
into a very high mental state. His concentration was so great that he remained
in one position for seven days and nights, without eating or drinking. When he
returned to his ordinary state, he was in danger of dying from starvation. So,
he went to collect alms food at the mansion of the rich man of Benares. When
the rich man was about to have lunch, he saw the Silent Buddha coming with his alms
bowl. He rose from his seat respectfully, and told his servant to give alms to
the Silent Buddha.
Meanwhile, Mara, the god of death, had been watching. Mara
craved for power over all beings. However, he could only have this power if the
being was afraid of death. Since the Silent Buddha lived fully in each and
every moment, with no desire for a future life or fear of death, Mara had no
control over the Silent Buddha. And because of that, Mara wished to destroy
him. When he saw that he was near the brink of death from starvation, he knew
that he had a good chance of succeeding. Before the servant could place the
food in the Silent Buddha’s alms bowl, Mara caused a deep pit of red hot
burning coals to appear between them. It seemed like the entrance to a hell
world.
When the servant saw this, he was frightened to death. He ran
back to his master. The rich man asked him why he returned without giving the
alms food. “My lord, there is a deep pitfull of red hot burning coals just in
front of the Silent Buddha,” he replied. “This man must be seeing things!”
thought the rich man. So he sent another servant with the alms food. He was
also frightened by the same pit of fiery coals. Several more servants were
sent, but all returned terrified to death. “There is no doubt that Mara, the
god of death, is trying to prevent me from giving alms food to the Silent
Buddha. He is obstructing me at all costs from performing a wholesome deed,
because doing wholesome deeds is the start on the path to enlightenment. But he
underestimates my confidence in the Silent Buddha and my determination to
give.”
With that thought, he personally took the alms food to the
Silent Buddha, and saw flames rising from the fiery pit. Then he looked up and
saw the terrible god of death, floating above in the sky. “Who are you?” he
asked. “I am the god of death!” replied Mara.
“Did you create this pit of fire?” asked the man. “I did,”
said the god. “Why did you do so?”
“To prevent you from giving alms food, so the Silent Buddha
will die! I’m also obstructing you from performing a wholesome deed which will
put you on the path to enlightenment, so that you will remain in my power!”
“Oh Mara, you cannot kill the Silent Buddha, and you cannot
prevent me from doing dana!
Let us see whose determination is stronger!” exclaimed the
man. Then he looked across the raging pit of fire, and said to the calm and
gentle Enlightened One: “Oh Silent Buddha, let the light of Truth shine forth
as an example to us. Accept this gift of life!” As he said this, he felt no
fear. When he stepped into the burning pit, he was miraculously lifted up by a
beautiful cool lotus blossom. The pollen from this marvellous flower spread into
the air, and covered him in gleaming gold. While standing in the heart of the
lotus, the Bodhisattva poured the alms food into the bowl of the Silent Buddha.
Mara, the god of death, was defeated!
In appreciation for this wonderful gift, the Silent Buddha
raised his hand in blessing. The rich man bowed in homage, joining his palms
above his head. Then the Silent Buddha left Benares, and went to the Himalayan
forests. Still standing on the amazing lotus, glowing in gold, the generous
master taught his followers. “Practising the Five Precepts is necessary to
purify the mind. With a pure mind, there is great merit in giving alms.” When
he had finished, the fiery pit and the lovely cool lotus disappeared
completely.
The moral is ✏ Be as fearless as the lion when
doing wholesome deeds.
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