Solutions to three problems

[Guest guest]

Source: Chinna Katha

http://www.saibaba.ws/stories/storiesparables.htm

 

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.