🧚 Opening, part 9

Whoever seeks advantage by wrong means, comes to grief.1 Thieves slew Vedabbha, and all met destruction.2

Thus, by the recitation of this stanza, did the Future Buddha preach the Doctrine.3 And the spirits of the forest made the forest ring with their applause.4 Then said the Future Buddha: “Just as our teacher, putting forth effort by wrong means, at the wrong time, caused the Rain of Riches, and thus himself met destruction and became the cause of others’ ruin, precisely so whoever else besides shall exert himself, seeking advantage for himself by wrong means, shall himself come to ruin and shall become the cause of others’ ruin.”5

Employing right means, the Future Buddha removed that wealth to his own home, and during the remainder of the term of life allotted to him gave alms and performed the other works of merit.6 And when his life came to an end, he passed away, fulfilling the Path to Heaven.7

Said the Teacher: “Monk, not only in your present state of existence are you disobedient, but in a previous state of existence also you were disobedient.8 And because of your habit of disobedience you came to a fearful end.”9 And having completed this parable, he identified the personages in the Birth-story as follows: “At that time the Brahman Vedabbha was the disobedient monk, but the pupil was I myself.”10

_11.11 The Anger-Eating Ogre.12

_Refrain from anger.13

Saṁyutta i. 237-238.14

Thus have I heard: Once upon a time the Exalted One was in residence at Jetavana.15 At that time the Exalted One addressed the monks: “Monks!”16 “Reverend Sir!” said those monks to the Exalted One in reply.17 The Exalted One said this:18

In former times, monks, a certain ogre, ill-favored, dwarfish, sat in the seat of Sakka king of gods.19 Thereat, monks, the gods of the Thirty-three became annoyed, offended, indignant: “O how wonderful, O how marvelous, that this ogre, ill-favored, dwarfish, should sit in the seat of Sakka king of gods!”20

The more, monks, the gods of the Thirty-three became annoyed, offended, indignant, the more did that ogre become handsome and pleasing to look upon and gracious.21 Then, monks, the gods of the Thirty-three approached Sakka king of gods.22 And having approached, they said this to Sakka king of gods:23

sits in your seat.24

“Here, Sire, a certain ogre, ill-favored, dwarfish, sits in your seat.25 Thereat, Sire, the gods of the Thirty-three are annoyed, offended, indignant: ‘O how wonderful, O how marvelous, that this ogre, ill-favored, dwarfish, should sit in the seat of Sakka king of gods!’26 The more, Sire, the gods of the Thirty-three become annoyed, offended, indignant, the more does that ogre become handsome and pleasing to look upon and gracious.27 For, Sire, of a surety he must be an anger-eating ogre!”28

Thereupon, monks, Sakka king of gods approached that anger-eating ogre.29 And having approached, he adjusted his upper robe so as to cover one shoulder only, touched his right kneepan to the ground, bent his joined hands in reverent salutation before that anger-eating ogre, and thrice proclaimed his name: “Sire, I am Sakka king of gods!30 Sire, I am Sakka king of gods!31 Sire, I am Sakka king of gods!”32

The more, monks, Sakka king of gods proclaimed his name, the more did that ogre become ill-favored and dwarfish.33 And having become more ill-favored and dwarfish, he then and there disappeared.34

Then, monks, Sakka king of gods sat down in his own seat, and appealing to the gods of the Thirty-three, uttered at that time the following stanzas:35

I am not easily vexed in spirit, I am not easily led into a turning, I do not cherish anger long, be sure; Anger has no abiding-place in me.36

I speak no harsh words in anger, I do not praise my own virtues, I restrain myself, Intent on my own good.37

_12.38 The Patient Woman.39

_Patient is as patient does.40

Majjhima i. 125-126.41

On a certain occasion the Exalted One addressed the monks as follows: “Monks, put away evil; devote yourselves to good works: so shall you obtain increase, growth, development, in this Doctrine and Discipline.”42

In olden times, in this very city of Sāvatthi, lived a house-mistress named Vedehikā.43 Of Mistress Vedehikā prevailed the following excellent reputation: “Gentle is Mistress Vedehikā, meek is Mistress Vedehikā, tranquil is Mistress Vedehikā.”44 And Mistress Vedehikā had a servant named Blackie who was capable and industrious and performed her duties well.45

Now to Servant Blackie occurred the following thought: “Of my lady mistress prevails the following excellent reputation: ‘Gentle is Mistress Vedehikā, meek is Mistress Vedehikā, tranquil is Mistress Vedehikā.’46 But has her ladyship, in point of fact, an inward temper which she does not reveal, or has she not?47 Or is it solely because I have performed these duties well that her ladyship does not reveal an inward temper which, in point of fact, she does possess;--not because she does not possess it?48 Suppose I were to test her ladyship!”49

Accordingly Servant Blackie got up late in the day.50 And Mistress Vedehikā said this to Servant Blackie: “See here, Blackie!”51 “What is it, my lady?”52 “Why did you get up so late?”53 “For no reason at all, my lady.”54 “For no reason at all, worthless servant, you got up so late!”55 And Mistress Vedehikā frowned in anger and displeasure.56

Then to Servant Blackie occurred the following thought: “Her ladyship does, in point of fact, possess an inward temper which she does not reveal;--it is not because she does not possess it.57 It is solely because I have performed these duties well that her ladyship does not reveal an inward temper which, in point of fact, she does possess;--it is not because she does not possess it.58 Suppose I were to test her ladyship further!”59

Accordingly Servant Blackie got up later in the day.60 And Mistress Vedehikā said this to Servant Blackie: “See here, Blackie!”61 “What is it, my lady?”62 “Why did you get up so late?”63 “For no reason at all, my lady.”64 “For no reason at all, worthless servant, you got up so late!”65 And in anger and displeasure Mistress Vedehikā gave vent to her displeasure in words.66

Then to Servant Blackie occurred the following thought: “Her ladyship does, in point of fact, possess an inward temper which she does not reveal;--it is not because she does not possess it.67 It is solely because I have performed these duties well that her ladyship does not reveal an inward temper which, in point of fact, she does possess;--it is not because she does not possess it.68 Suppose I were to test her ladyship further!”69

Accordingly Servant Blackie got up even later in the day.70 And Mistress Vedehikā said this to Servant Blackie: “See here, Blackie!”71 “What is it, my lady?”72 “Why did you get up so late?”73 “For no reason at all, my lady.”74 “For no reason at all, worthless servant, you got up so late!”75 And in anger and displeasure Mistress Vedehikā seized the pin of the door-bolt and gave her a blow on the head, breaking her head.76

Thereupon Servant Blackie, with broken head streaming with blood, complained to the neighbors: “See, my lady, the work of the gentle woman!77 See, my lady, the work of the meek woman!78 See, my lady, the work of the tranquil woman!79 For this is the way a lady acts who keeps but a single servant: ‘You got up too late!’ says she.80 So what must she do but seize the pin of the door-bolt and give you a blow on the head and break your head!”81