仏教物語　蓮根全６回の５回

Now, three creatures of the forest had also come near to hear the sermon: a yaksha, one of the demons, an elephant, and a monkey. Because when the Bodhisattva or any saintly person preaches, many creatures also come and listen, sometimes the angels and the devas from Heaven as well; it depends on how powerful that Bodhisattva or that saint is. The yaksha is a demon, also came and protested. He worried that they might think he was the one who stole the lotus. So he also gave the blessing to whoever. “May whoever failed you for the sake of those lotus roots be in charge of a great monastery. May he be responsible for all the repairs of the town of Kakangala,” wherever that is, “and may he be obliged to construct one window every day.” Wow! And the elephant, also innocent, he had to prove it. Said the elephant, “Most excellent Muni …” meaning he called the Bodhisattva, the biggest brother, he revered him, called him Muni. “Muni” means like a wish-fulfilling jewel, just a name to show respect to somebody, a saintly person. The elephant said, “Most excellent Muni, may the one who took your lotus roots be dragged out of this lovely forest into the company of men.” Elephants, they don’t like men, so this is the worst thing that could happen. We always say animals are ferocious, wicked, and fierce. But how about us? How about humans? What makes us have the right to say that about animals, when we are even worse? Many of us are worse. I wish the humans wake up and think about it. So then, with persuasive and kind words, the Bodhisattva showed the depth of his dispassionate nature. So he spoke, “May the one who falsely said ‘they have disappeared’ though he had them, win every pleasure of the world he has ever longed for and die a householder.” That means what they don’t like. “And may the same fate befall any who suspect another of certain action even.” Such extraordinary protestations demonstrated their abhorrence of all worldly pleasures. In all this, it means they don't like anything in the world. Greatly astonished, Śakra … And everybody thinks the gods know everything. Even the lower gods, they have magical power. They have eyes that can see the whole world everywhere. How can they not know? I mean, it's OK to punish somebody bad or doing something wrong, karma or something. Nothing! People already left everything behind, who ate just some lotus roots, once a day, and he still came and did that. The Śakra preached. Shouldn’t have said such things. So now, the Bodhisattva, the biggest brother replied, “Sensual enjoyments bring with them endless suffering, sir. Listen now, and I will tell you precisely why the Munis shun desire. People will undergo captivity and death, grief, fatigue, danger, and innumerable calamities, just to gain their desires. In order to gain what they desire, kings will eagerly oppress virtue, and fall into hell upon hell after death.” Yeah, this is the problem.