On one occasion, five lay disciples were present while Buddha was
expounding the Dhamma at the Jetavana monastery. One of them was asleep while
sitting, the second was scratching the earth with his fingers, the third was
shaking the tree, the fourth was looking up at the sky. The fifth was the only
one who was respectfully and attentively listening to the Buddha. Venerable
Ananda, who saw the different kinds of behavior of the five disciples
commented, ' Venerable Sir! While you were giving the Dhamma only one out of
those five people were listening attentively'. Then Ananda described the
different attitudes of the other four to the Buddha and asked why they were
behaving thus.
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| Buddha and disciples |
The Buddha then explained that these people could not get rid of their old
habits. In their past existences, the first one was a snake. As a snake usually
coils itself up and goes to sleep, so also this man had gone to sleep while
listening to the Dhamma. The one who was scratching the earth with his hand had
been a subterranean creature. The one who was shaking the tree was a monkey. The
one who was gazing up at the sky had been an astrologer and the one who was
listening attentively to the Dhamma was learned Brahmin. The Buddha said,'
Ananda, you must remember that one must be attentive to be able to understand
the Dhamma and that there are many people who cannot understand the Dhamma.'
Ananda then asked, ' Venerable Sir, what are the things that prevent people
from being able to realize the Dhamma?' The Buddha replied,' Ananda, passion,
ill will and ignorance are the three things that prevent people from realizing
the Dhamma . There is no fire like the fire of lust. Passion burns always and
without any break.'
Related topics
1.Buddha quotes http://www.buddhawithlove.blogspot.in/2012/03/buddha-quotes.html
3.Buddha story http://www.buddhawithlove.blogspot.in/2012/06/buddha-story-why-cant-i-get-salvation.html
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