The Power of Discipline

 In the serene mountains of a distant land, there resided a revered Buddhist monastery, known for its wisdom and discipline. Among the monks, there was one who stood out for his remarkable devotion and dedication to the path of enlightenment - Monk Keshava.

Monk in Garden

From a young age, Keshava was drawn to the teachings of Buddha. He was admitted to the monastery at an early age, where he began his arduous journey of learning and practicing the ancient principles. Under the guidance of the venerable Master Shantarakshita, Keshava imbibed the essence of Buddha's teachings, but he struggled with discipline.

While the other monks diligently followed the monastery's strict routines, Keshava often found himself lost in his thoughts, forgetting his duties and responsibilities. Master Shantarakshita patiently observed Keshava's struggle and decided to impart a valuable lesson.

One morning, the Master called Keshava to his chamber. "Keshava," he said gently, "you have immense potential, but without discipline, it remains untapped. To fully realize the path to enlightenment, you must embrace discipline wholeheartedly."

Keshava bowed his head, acknowledging his weakness. "Master, I understand, but discipline has always been a challenge for me."

The wise Master smiled compassionately. "I have devised a special task for you, Keshava. You shall water the Bodhi tree in the monastery garden every day for the next three months."

Keshava was puzzled but agreed to undertake the task diligently. The Bodhi tree, under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, was revered, and caring for it was a great honor. Keshava's devotion to the task grew each day, and he began to water the tree with deep reverence and gratitude.

As weeks passed, Keshava noticed something remarkable happening. The more he practiced discipline in caring for the Bodhi tree, the more focused his mind became. He realized that by embracing discipline, he was not only nurturing the tree but also nurturing his own soul.

In the quietude of those moments with the Bodhi tree, Keshava understood the significance of discipline in the pursuit of enlightenment. He saw that discipline was not just about following rules; it was about cultivating self-awareness, inner strength, and harmony.

Three months later, when Keshava's task was complete, he approached Master Shantarakshita with newfound humility. "Master, I am grateful for your guidance. Through discipline, I have experienced a transformation within myself. I now understand its importance on the path to enlightenment."

The Master smiled, his eyes filled with pride. "Keshava, you have learned a valuable lesson. Remember that discipline is not a constraint, but a liberating force. Embrace it with sincerity, and you shall continue to flourish on your journey."

From that day on, Keshava became a living embodiment of discipline in the monastery. His unwavering devotion and commitment to the teachings of Buddha inspired fellow monks to follow suit. The ripple effect of his transformation spread through the monastery, signifying the profound importance of discipline on the path to spiritual awakening.

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*Story of Angulimal

*Story of Rice bowl

Buddha story- the first bhikkhuni

 After the Buddha's stepmother, Queen Mahapajapati Gotami, lost her position due to the Queen's death, she became the chief queen and looked after the newborn Prince Siddhattha while her own son, Nanda, was taken care of by a wet-nurse.

When the Buddha came back to Kapilavatthu after attaining enlightenment, Mahapajapati Gotami requested him to permit women to join the Buddhist Order as bhikkhunis. However, initially, the Buddha declined her request.

Mahaprajapati Gautami

After King Suddhodana passed away, Mahapajapati Gotami, along with five hundred women, traveled on foot to Vesali to meet the Buddha. They had shaved their heads and wore robes, and Mahapajapati made the request again. This time, the Buddha agreed but set eight special conditions (garudhammas) for Mahapajapati to follow.

Mahapajapati accepted the conditions and became the first bhikkhuni, and other women were admitted to the Order afterward.

However, some bhikkhunis later doubted Mahapajapati's status because she didn't have a preceptor. They stopped participating in certain ceremonies with her and raised the issue with the Buddha.

The Buddha responded by saying that he himself had given the eight garudhammas to Mahapajapati and that she had practiced them faithfully. He declared that he was her preceptor, and it was wrong to doubt the status of an arahat like her.

Buddha story- A new monk

  In the past, there was a monk who followed the teachings of Buddha. The monk received guidance from Buddha regarding what to concentrate on during his meditation practice. Despite spending extended periods in meditation, the monk didn't experience significant advancement and instead started feeling unhappy and disheartened. He decided to go to the Jetavana monastery to seek further instructions from the Buddha. On his way there, he saw a huge fire and climbed a mountain to watch it. As he observed the fire spreading, he realized that just like the fire consumes everything, the deep understanding of the path to enlightenment can free us from all the things that hold us back in life.

Buddha story

Meanwhile, the Buddha, who was in the Gandhakuti hall at the Jetavana monastery, knew what the monk was thinking. He used his special abilities to appear before the monk and encouraged him, saying that he was thinking in the right direction. The Buddha reminded him that all living beings can break free from the things that tie them down in life by developing deep insight into the path of enlightenment.

Old Monk story

 Tissa was son of Buddha's maternal aunt. He was staying with Buddha at a Monastery. He had become a Bhikkhu in his old age only. He posed as a Senior Bhikkhu and felt good when other Bhikkhus asked him permission to serve him. He was not able to do duties what a junior Bhikkhu were expected to do. He quarrelled with other Bhikkhus and if someone rebuked him for his behaviour then he would go to Buddha complaining and became upset and frustrated. When other Bhikkus also approached Buddha. The Buddha told them not to hold enmity towards another because enmity could only be appeased by not having enmity in mind.

old monk

Dhammapada Verses 3 and 4
Tissatthera Vatthu

Akkocchi mam avadhi mam
ajini mam ahasi me
ye ca tam upanayhanti
veram tesam na sammati.

Akkocchi mam avadhi mam
ajini mam ahasi me
ye ca tam nupanayhanti
veram tesupasammati.

Buddha story- A blind monk

 Once, a senior Bhikku named Thera Cakkhupala went to visit and show respect to the Buddha at the Jetavana monastery. One night, while he was walking back and forth in deep meditation, the senior Bhikku accidentally stepped on some insects without noticing.

Blind Monk

 The next morning, some other Bhikkhus who were visiting the senior Bhikku found the dead insects. They formed a negative opinion about him and reported the incident to the Buddha. The Buddha asked them if they had actually seen the senior Bhikku intentionally killing the insects. Since they hadn't witnessed it, the Buddha explained that just as they hadn't seen him doing harm, the senior Bhikku hadn't seen those living insects either. Furthermore, as the senior Bhikku had already achieved a high level of spiritual enlightenment (arahatship), he couldn't have had any intention to kill, and thus he was innocent in this matter.

Dhammapada Verse 1
Cakkhupalatthera Vatthu

Manopubbangama dhamma
manosettha manomaya
manasa ce padutthena
bhasati va karoti va
tato nam dukkhamanveti
cakkamva vahato padam

All mental phenomena have mind as their forerunner; they have mind as their chief; they are mind-made. If one speaks or acts with an evil mind, 'dukkha' follows him just as the wheel follows the hoofprint of the ox that draws the cart.

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Story of Angulimal

Story of Sujata

Buddha Story- Man with pancakes