Buddha and King Ajatashatru
Part One: The Moonlit King
Long
ago, in the kingdom of Magadha, there lived a king named Ajatashatru.
One
bright full-moon night, King Ajatashatru sat on the high terrace of his palace.
The moon shone like a silver lamp in the sky. The gardens below were quiet.
Even the birds had tucked their heads beneath their wings.
The
king looked up and smiled.
“What
a beautiful night!” he said to his ministers. “The moonlight is soft, the air
is cool, and everything looks peaceful.”
Then
his smile faded a little.
“But
my heart does not feel peaceful,” he said. “Is there a wise teacher we can
visit tonight—someone who can help me understand how to find real happiness?”
The
ministers suggested several famous teachers. Each one had a different idea. But
the king listened quietly and did not feel that any of their answers would help
his heart.
Near
the king sat Givaka, a kind physician who cared for children and grown-ups too.
He had been silent.
“Givaka,”
said the king, “why have you said nothing?”
Givaka
folded his hands respectfully.
“Your
Majesty,” he said, “the Buddha is staying in my mango grove tonight. He is
sitting there with many monks. People say he is wise, kind, and peaceful.
Perhaps you may find the answer you seek from him.”
The
king looked toward the shining moon.
“Then
let us go,” he said.
Part Two: The Elephant Parade
Givaka
quickly prepared the royal elephants.
The
king rode on his grand state elephant. Many ladies of the palace rode on other
elephants. Servants carried flaming torches that danced in the night breeze.
It
was quite a parade!
The
elephants walked slowly from the palace toward Givaka’s mango grove. Their
bells jingled softly. Their large feet made gentle *thump-thump* sounds on the
road.
At
last, they reached the grove.
But
something surprised the king.
Everything
was silent.
No
one was talking. No one was coughing. No one was sneezing. There was not even a
tiny “Achoo!”
The
king felt nervous. The hair on his arms stood up.
“Givaka,”
he whispered, “are you playing a trick on me? There are so many monks here. How
can there be no sound at all?”
Givaka
smiled kindly.
“Do
not be afraid, Your Majesty,” he said. “No one is trying to trick you. The
monks are sitting quietly in peace. Look ahead—the lamps are glowing in the
hall.”
The
king climbed down from his elephant. Then he walked slowly along the path,
through the sweet-smelling mango trees.
Part Three: A Hall as Quiet as a Lake
Inside
the hall, the king saw the Buddha sitting peacefully beside a central pillar.
All
around him sat many monks—calm, still, and silent.
They
were as quiet as a clear lake on a windless morning.
King
Ajatashatru looked at them with wonder. He thought of his little son, Prince
Udayi Bhadda.
“Oh,”
said the king softly, “I wish my son could grow up with such a calm and
peaceful heart.”
The
Buddha looked at him with kindness.
“You
love your son very much,” the Buddha said.
“Yes,”
replied the king. “I want him to be safe, happy, and peaceful.”
Then
the king bowed respectfully and sat down.
“Blessed
One,” he said, “may I ask you a question?”
“You
may ask whatever you wish,” said the Buddha.
To be continued
No comments:
Post a Comment