CHINNA KATHA FROM BHAGAVAN’S DISCOURSE. No. 12.

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12 - Solutions to three problems

 

After Buddha gave up worldly ways, he travelled far and wide. People

were wonder-struck at his brilliant, handsome form. Enamoured by his

effulgence, a woman named Ambashali approached him and said, " O great

one, you look like a prince in ochre robes. May I know why you don ochre

robes at this young age? " Buddha replied that he took to the path of

renunciation in order to seek solutions to three problems. " This body

which is young and handsome is bound to become old with time - will be

made sick and perish ultimately. I want to know the cause for old age,

sickness and death. "

 

Impressed by his quest of truth she invited him for lunch. In no time

the entire village came to know of this. The villagers started coming to

Buddha one by one, and requested him not to accept her invitation as she

was a woman of bad character. Buddha listened to all their complaints

patiently. Buddha smiled and asked the village head, " Do you also affirm

that she is a woman of bad character? " The village head replied, " Not

once, but thousand times I will vouch for the evil character of

Ambashali. Please do not visit her house. "

 

Holding the village head's right hand, Buddha asked him to clap. The

village head said that he could not do so as one of his hands was in

Buddha's hold and it was not possible for anyone to clap with a single

hand. Buddha replied, " Likewise, Ambashali cannot be bad by herself

unless there are men of bad character in this village. If all the men in

this village were good, this woman would not have turned bad. Therefore,

men and their money are responsible for the bad character of Ambashali. "

 

Saying so, he wanted to know if there was any individual in that

gathering without any trace of bad in him so that he could visit his

house for lunch. No one came forward. Then Buddha said, " When there are

so many bad men in the village, it is not proper to point a finger at

one woman. She turned bad due to bad company. " That is why it is said,

'Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you are.' Realising their

folly, the people fell at Buddha's feet and sought forgiveness. Since

then they started treating Ambashali as one amongst them. Inspired by

the teachings of Buddha, Ambashali also took to the path of renunciation

and led a pious life. No one else is responsible for the good and bad in

an individual. Each one is responsible for his own good and bad. Who is

good, who is bad? First eliminate the bad in you.