Truyện Tiền Thân Đức Phật

Monday, June 22, 2015

Bài 5 - Băng Đảng Nghiện Rượu

Băng Đảng Nghiện Rượu

(Điều Độ Khi Uống Rượu)

Thủy Tú dịch thuật

Thuở xưa, khi Brahmadatta làm vua, đấng Giác Ngộ được sinh ra trong một gia đình giàu có. Ông trở thành người giàu nhất ở Benares.

Vào lúc đó cũng có một băng đảng của những kẻ nghiện rượu đi lang thang khắp các nẻo đường. Tất cả những gì mà họ có thể nghĩ đến chỉ là làm sao để kiếm ra rượu. Đối với họ nó là một loại thuốc mà họ không thể sống được nếu không có nó.

Một ngày kia, khi họ không còn tiền như thường lệ, họ nghĩ ra một kế hoạch đi cướp tiền của người đàn ông giàu có nhất ở Benares. Nhưng họ không biết rằng ông là vị Bồ Tát tái sanh, cho nên ông không dễ gì bị lừa gạt!

Họ quyết định pha chế một ‘Mickey Finn’, đó là một loại rượu pha với thuốc ngủ không mùi vị. Kế hoạch của họ là làm cho ông trưởng giả uống Mickey Finn. Rồi khi ông ngủ say họ sẽ cướp hết tiền, nữ trang, và ngay cả quần áo sang trọng ông đang mặc. Thế là họ dựng một quán rượu nhỏ tạm thời bên đường. Họ đổ phần rượu cuối cùng của họ vô một cái lọ, và trộn vô vài viên thuốc ngủ loại mạnh.

Một lúc sau ông trưởng giả trên đường đi đến cung điện đi ngang qua đó. Một trong những kẻ nghiện rượu lên tiếng kêu ông, “Xin hân hạnh chào ngài, sao không bắt đầu một ngày tốt đẹp – bằng cách cùng uống rượu với chúng tôi. Ly đầu tiên là do chúng tôi mời!” Rồi hắn rót rượu pha thuốc ngủ vô ly.

Nhưng đấng Giác Ngộ không uống bất cứ thứ rượu nào. Chẳng những thế, ông tự hỏi tại sao những kẻ nghiện rượu này laị quá hào phóng với món thuốc yêu thích của họ. Thật là không giống họ chút nào.

Ông biết ngay là có mưu mô gì đây. Nên ông quyết định dậy cho họ một bài học. Ông nói, “Sẽ là một sự bất kính khi xuất hiện trước mặt vua trong bộ dạng say rượu, hoặc thoảng là chỉ có một chút mùi rượu trong hơi thở của tôi cũng không được. Nhưng xin hảy đợi tôi ở đây. Tôi sẽ gặp lại các ông khi tôi trở về từ cung điện.”

Bọn nghiện rượu thấy thất vọng. Họ sẽ không thể uống thêm rượu sớm hơn như họ tính. Nhưng họ quyết định kiên nhẫn chờ.

Khoảng vài giờ sau ông trưởng giả đi về ngang quán rượu. Bọn nghiện rượu đã rất thèm rượu. Họ gọi ông lại và nói, “Xin hân hạnh chào ngài, sao không ăn mừng việc ngài đi thăm vua? Ngài hảy uống thử ly rượu ngon này. Xin nhớ rằng ly đầu tiên do chúng tôi tặng!”

Nhưng vị trưởng giả chỉ nhìn vào chai và ly rượu. Ông nói, “Tôi không tin các ông. Cái chai và ly rượu đó trông vẫn còn y nguyên như hồi sáng này. Nếu nó ngon như ông nói, các ông có lẽ đã uống chút đỉnh rượu này trong ngày nay rồi. Thật ra thì các ông có thể đã không kiềm nổi mà uống hết nó rồi! Tôi không có ngu đâu. Chắc hẳn các ông đã cho thuốc gì vào trong rượu.”

Người đàn ông giàu nhất ở Benares bỏ đi để trở về nhà ông, và băng đảng nghiện rượu lại bắt đầu trở lại kế họach và mưu mô của chúng.

Ý chính: Đừng uống rượu quá độ – và suy nghĩ cho chín chắn khi làm việc gì.

********

A Gang of Drunkards (Sobriety)

Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king, the Enlightenment Being was born in a wealthy family. He became the richest man in Benares.

There also happened to be a gang of drunkards who roamed the streets. All they ever thought about was finding ways to get alcohol, the drug they thought they couldn't live without.

One day, when they had run out of money as usual, they came up with a scheme to rob the richest man in Benares. But they didn't realize that he was the reborn Bodhisattva, so he wouldn't be so easy to fool!

They decided to make a 'Mickey Finn', which is a drink of liquor with a sleeping drug secretly added to it. Their plan was to get the rich man to drink the Mickey Finn. Then when he fell asleep they would rob all his money, jewelry, and even the rich clothes he wore. So they set up a temporary little roadside bar. They put their last remaining liquor into a bottle, and mixed in some strong sleeping pills.

Later the rich man came by on his way to the palace. One of the alcoholics called out to him, "Honorable sir, why not start your day right - by having a drink with us? And the first one is on the house!" Then he poured a glass of the dishonest liquor.

But the Enlightenment Being did not drink any form of alcohol. Nevertheless, he wondered why these drunkards were being so generous with their favorite drug. It just wasn't like them.

He realized it must be some kind of trick. So he decided to teach them a lesson. He said, "It would be an insult to appear before the king in a drunken state, or with even the slightest smell of liquor on my breath. But please be so kind as to wait for me here. I'll see you again when I return from the palace."

The drunkards were disappointed. They would not be able to drink again as soon as they wanted. But they decided to be patient and wait.

Later that day the rich man came back to the little roadside bar. The alcoholics were getting desperate for a drink. They called him over and said, "Honorable sir, why not celebrate your visit to the king? Have a drink of this fine liquor. Remember, the first one is free!"

But the rich man just kept looking at the liquor bottle and glass. He said, "I don't trust you. That bottle and glass of liquor are exactly as they were this morning. If it were as good as you say it is, you would have tasted some yourselves by now. In fact, you couldn't help but drink it all! I'm no fool. You must have added another drug to the alcohol."

The richest man in Benares went on his way, and the gang of drunkards went back to their plotting and scheming.

The moral is: Keep sober - and keep your common sense.

Kurunegoda Piyatissa

(The Jataka stories)

Friday, June 19, 2015

Bài 4 - Từ Bỏ Quyền Lực

Vua Quả Lành và Hoàng Hậu Sivali

Từ Bỏ Quyền Lực (Chương 3)

Thủy Tú dịch thuật

Câu chuyện này đã xảy ra từ lâu lắm, vào lúc mà loài người sống rất thọ, đến cả 10,000 năm! Sau khi Vua Quả Lành đã trị vì được khoảng 7,000 năm. Tình cờ là vào một ngày nọ, người làm vườn của hoàng gia đem đến cho vua một cái rổ đựng đủ loại hoa quả thật tuyệt vời. Vua thích chúng đến nỗi ngài muốn đến thăm vườn hoa. Thế là người làm vườn sắp xếp và trang hoàng khu vườn, rồi mời ngài đến thăm viếng.

Vua ngồi trên một con voi hoàng gia, theo sau là toàn bộ triều đình và nhiều thường dân của kinh thành Mithila. Khi vua đi qua cổng khu vườn ngài trông thấy hai cây xoài thật đẹp. Một cây thì đầy trái chín mọng trong khi cây kia thì hoàn toàn không có trái. Vua hái một trái ăn và rất thích vị thơm ngọt của nó. Ngài quyết định là sẽ ăn thêm vài trái nửa trước khi đi về.

Khi mọi người thấy vua đã ăn xong quả xoài đầu tiên, họ biết là họ có thể ăn những trái còn lại. Chẳng mấy chốc tất cả những trái xoài trên cây đã bị ăn sạch. Khi không còn lại trái nào, thậm chí có người còn bẻ cành và vặt lá để tìm thêm.

Khi Vua Quả Lành đi trở lại ngài trông thấy cây đã bị bẻ cành lá trơ trụi và gần như là bị phá hỏng. Trong khi đó cây không trái thì vẫn tươi đẹp như trước, với những chiếc lá xanh tươi bóng bẩy dưới ánh mặt trời.

Vua hỏi các quan đại thần, “Chuyện gì đã xảy ra ở đây?” Họ cắt nghĩa, “Từ khi hoàng thượng ăn quả đầu tiên, dân chúng nghĩ là họ được tha hồ ăn những trái còn lại. Trong khi vạch tìm thêm trái họ đã làm gẫy những cành và lá. Cây còn lại đã không bị hư hại gì và vẫn tươi đẹp, vì nó không có trái.”

Điều này làm vua rất buồn. Ngài nghĩ, “Cây đầy trái này đã bị phá hỏng, nhưng cây không trái đã được chừa lại. Vương vị của ta cũng giống như cây xum xuê trái – hể càng nhiều quyền lực và của cải thì càng sợ bị mất chúng. Cuộc sống thánh thiện của một tu sĩ đơn giản thì giống như cây không trái – từ bỏ quyền lực và của cải dẫn đến thong dong không sợ hãi.”

Thế là Đấng Giác Ngộ quyết định từ bỏ gia sản và quyền lực của mình, bỏ lại vinh quang của vương quyền, từ bỏ việc liên tục bảo vệ vị trí của mình. Thay vào đó ngài muốn đem mọi nỗ lực vào việc sống một đời sống thanh tịnh của một tỳ khưu đơn giản. Chỉ có như vậy thì ngài mới có thể tìm thấy hạnh phúc dài lâu cho mình, và còn có thể sẽ đem nó đến cho người khác nữa.

Vua trở về thành phố. Đứng bên cạnh cổng hoàng cung, vua cho gọi vị tổng tư lệnh cúa quân đội đến gặp. Ngài nói, “Kể từ bây giờ, không ai được thấy mặt ta ngoại trừ một người hầu đem thức ăn và một người hầu đem nước và bàn chải đánh răng đến. Ông và các quan đại thần sẽ cai trị đất nước dựa theo luật lệ cũ. Ta sẽ sống như một nhà sư đơn giản ở trên tầng lầu cao nhất của hoàng cung.”

Sau khi ngài sống như vậy một thời gian, dân chúng bắt đầu thắc mắc về sự thay đổi của ngài. Một ngày kia, một đám đông đã tụ họp trước sân triều. Họ nói, “Vua của chúng ta không còn giống như trước nữa. Ngài không còn muốn xem múa hát hay coi những trận đấu bò và đấu voi hay đi đến vườn thượng uyển và ngắm nhìn những con ngỗng trên hồ. Tại sao ngài không nói chuyện với chúng ta?” Họ hỏi những người hầu đem thức ăn và nước đến cho vua, “Ngài có nói gì với các ông không?”

Họ nói, “Ngài đang cố gắng giữ tâm trí mình đừng suy nghĩ về những điều mong muốn, để cho tâm được bình an và tinh khiết như tâm của những người bạn cũ của ngài, những vị Phật Im Lặng. Ngài đang cố gắng để phát triển tính trong sạch của những người không sở hữu gì ngoại trừ những phẩm chất tốt. Đến một lúc chúng ta thậm chí còn nghe ngài tuyên bố rằng, “Ta có thể chỉ nghĩ đến những vị Phật Im Lặng, không còn theo đuổi những vui thích bình thường. Sự tự do của họ làm cho họ thật sự hạnh phúc – Ai sẽ đem ta đến nơi họ sống?”

Vua Quả Lành đã sống trên tầng lầu cao nhất của cung điện, cố gắng làm một nhà sư đơn giản chỉ được khoảng bốn tháng. Đến lúc đó ngài nhận thấy rằng có quá nhiều điều chi phối tâm trí ở vương quốc Mithila xinh đẹp. Ngài thấy chúng như một chướng ngại bên ngoài cản bước ngài trên đường tìm kiếm bình yên và chân lý bên trong. Vì thế ngài quyết định lần cuối là sẽ từ bỏ tất cả và đi đến rặng Himalayas (Hi Mã Lạp Sơn) để sống đời một nhà sư ẩn dật trong rừng thẩm.

Vua cho người đem những chiếc cà sa vàng và bình bát khất thực của tỳ khưu đến. Và ra lệnh cho thợ hớt tóc trong cung đến cạo râu tóc cho mình. Rồi sáng sớm hôm sau, ngài bắt đầu rời bước xuống thang lầu của hoàng cung.

Trong khi đó Hoàng hậu Sivali đã nghe về kế hoạch của ngài. Bà triệu tập 700 phi tần xinh đẹp nhất của hậu cung và đem họ đi lên cầu thang. Họ đi ngang qua Vua Quả Lành, lúc đó đang đi xuống, nhưng không nhận ra ngài vì ngài mang y phục như một nhà sư. Khi họ lên tới tầng lầu cuối, Hoàng hậu Sivali không thấy ai, chỉ có râu tóc đã cạo của vua còn nằm vương vãi ở đó. Ngay lập tức bà nhận ra rằng vị sư vô danh kia phải là chồng của bà.

Tất cả 701 hoàng hậu và phi tần cùng chạy xuống thang lầu ra đến sân hoàng cung. Nơi đó họ đi theo nhà vua nay đã thành sư. Theo lời Hoàng hậu chỉ bảo, tất cả bọn họ đều xỏa tóc xuống và cố gắng lôi kéo vua ở lại. Họ khóc lóc, nài nỉ vua, “Tại sao ngài lại làm như vậy?” Rồi tất cả dân chúng trong thành phố cũng trở nên xúc động và buồn bã và bắt đầu đi theo ngài. Họ đã khóc tức tưởi và kêu lên, “Chúng tôi nghe nói là vua của chúng tôi đã trở thành một nhà sư đơn giản. Làm sao chúng tôi có thể tìm được một bậc minh quân như vậy nữa?

Cảnh 700 phi tần của hậu cung với khăn choàng duyên dáng xinh đẹp và nữ trang lộng lẩy, khóc lóc van xin, đã không làm thay đổi được ý chí của Đấng Giác Ngộ. Vì ngài đã thực hiện quyết định của mình và cương quyết theo đến cùng. Ngài đã từ bỏ chiếc bình dầu thánh bằng vàng của đất nước, một biểu hiệu quyền lực của hoàng tộc đã giao phó cho ngài. Thay vào đó ngài nay chỉ mang theo chiếc bình bát bằng đất sét của một nhà sư khiêm tốn, một người đi tìm Chân Lý.

Cuối cùng Hoàng hậu Sivali ngừng khóc. Bà thấy rằng các phi tần xinh đẹp từ hậu cung đã không cản được chồng bà. Vì thế bà đến gặp vị tư lệnh quân đội. Bà bảo ông hảy đốt cháy những căn nhà nhỏ cũ kỹ và những tòa nhà lớn bỏ hoang trên đường vua đi ngang qua. Bà nói ông hảy đốt cháy những buị cây xanh ở nhiều nơi khác nhau trong thành phố, để tạo nên nhiều đám khói.

Khi việc này đã được thực hiện, hoàng hậu nằm phủ phục dưới chân vua và khóc, “Kinh thành Mithila đang bị cháy, bẩm hoàng thượng! Các toà nhà đẹp đẽ với những tác phẩm nghệ thuật có giá trị, ngọc ngà châu báu, kho tàng đang bị phá hủy. Hảy trở về, hỡi hoàng thượng, và bảo vệ gia tài của ngài trước khi quá trễ.”

Nhưng Đấng Giác Ngộ trả lời, “Những thứ đó thuộc về người khác. Ta không có gì cả. Nên ta không sợ mất bất cứ vật gì. Và dù có mất tài sản nó không thể làm cho ta buồn. Tâm hồn của ta rất là bình an.”

Rồi ngài rời thành phố qua cổng phía bắc, vẫn bị theo sau bởi 701 vị hoàng hậu và phi tần. Theo lệnh của Hoàng hậu Sivali, họ chỉ cho ngài thấy những ngôi làng bị cướp phá. Có những kẻ mang vũ khí đang tấn công, trong khi đó vài người khác thì dường như bị thương và chết. Nhưng cái trông giống như máu đó chỉ là phẩm đỏ, và người chết chỉ là giả tạo. Vua biết nó chỉ là mưu kế, vì thật ra đã không có trộm cướp hay kẻ vơ vét phá hoại ở trong xứ ngay từ đầu.

Sau khi đi đã khá xa, vua ngừng lại và hỏi các quan đại thần của ngài, “Vương quốc này là của ai?” “Của ngài, bẩm chúa công,” họ nói. “Vậy thì hảy phạt bất cứ ai đi qua lằn ranh này,” vua ra lệnh khi ngài vẽ xong một lằn ngang qua con đường. Không một ai, kể cả Hoàng hậu Sivali, dám bước qua lằn ranh. Nhưng khi bà thấy vua tiếp tục đi trên đường, lưng của ngài đối diện bà, hoàng hậu đã đau buồn thảng thốt. Vừa đấm ngực bà vừa bước qua khỏi lằn vạch. Một khi lằn ranh đã bị vượt qua, đám đông không còn sợ nữa và họ đi theo bà.

Hoàng hậu đã giữ quân đội với bà và toàn bộ đám đông tiếp tục theo sau Vua Quả Lành. Ngài đi tiếp thêm nhiều dặm đường, hướng về rặng Himalayas ở phía bắc.

Trong khi đó, có một vị sư với trình độ tu tập rất thâm hậu tên là Narada, sống trong một hang động vàng ở Himalayas. Ông là một người rất thông thái. Qua nỗ lực thiền định thâm sâu, ông đã đạt được quyền năng siêu nhiên mà chỉ những vị thánh nhân cao nhất mới có. Sau khi thiền định trong một trạng thái tĩnh lặng tuyệt vời suốt một tuần lễ ông đột nhiên la lớn, “Hạnh phúc gì đây! Ồ, hạnh phúc gì đây!”

Rồi ông dùng khả năng đặc biệt của mình, nhìn khắp mọi nơi trong nước Ấn Độ để coi có người nào đang chân thành tìm kiếm hạnh phúc giống như vậy, thong dong tự tại không vướng bận với cuộc sống thường ngày. Ông chỉ thấy Vua Quả Lành, vị Bồ Tát mà một ngày nào đó sẽ trở thành Phật. Ông thấy người ấy đã từ bỏ tất cả quyền lực trần gian của mình. Thế mà ngài vẫn bị chặn lại, vẫn bị cản trở bởi chướng ngại của đám đông đi theo từ kiếp sống trước của ngài. Để có thể giúp đỡ và khuyến khích ngài, ông dùng pháp thuật bay đến trước mặt vua.

Ông hỏi Vua Quả Lành, “Này tỳ khưu, tại sao đám đông ồn ào này đi theo ông vậy?” Vua trả lời, “Tôi đã từ bỏ vương quyền và xa rời thế giới để vun bồi đức hạnh. Đó là lý do tại sao những người từng là thân bằng quyến thuộc của tôi đi theo tôi, mặc dù rằng tôi rời xa họ trong êm thắm.”

Vị thánh sư nói, “Đừng có tự tin quá, tỳ khưu à. Ông chưa hoàn toàn thành công trong việc rời khỏi thế giới đâu. Bởi vì vẫn còn những trở ngại bên trong ông. Đó là “Năm Chướng Ngại” – những ái dục bình thường của thị giác, âm thanh và vân vân; sự mong muốn làm hại người khác; sự lười biếng, sự lo âu; sự nghi ngờ không chính đáng. Vì vậy, hảy thực tập những đức tính Thanh Tịnh Hoàn Hảo, hảy kiên nhẫn và đừng nghĩ quá nhiều hoặc quá ít về mình.

Ông nói lời cuối, “Đây là lời cầu chúc của ta cho ông – mong rằng lòng nhân từ, kiến thức và sự Thật sẽ bảo vệ ông trên con đường ông đi.” Rồi vị thánh sư biến mất để về lại hang động vàng của ông.

Nhờ vào lời khuyên khôn khéo này, Vua Quả Lành càng ít quan tâm đến đám đông bên ngoài, và nhận ra rầng cản trở lớn nhất chính là những chướng ngại bên trong.

Trong khi đó Hoàng hậu Sivali lại quỳ dưới chân ngài một lần nữa. Bà van nài, “Hoàng thượng ơi, xin ngài lắng nghe tiếng van khóc của những người quanh đây. Trước khi rời xa họ để mưu cầu chân lý, xin hảy làm an lòng họ bằng cách trao vương miện cho con trai ngài để nó thay ngài cai trị đất nước.”

Ngài trả lời, “Ta đã để lại cận thần, bạn bè, thân quyến và xứ sở. Hoàng hậu đừng lo, các quý tộc của Mithila dậy dổ Hoàng tử Trường Thọ rất tốt, và họ sẽ bảo vệ và ủng hộ cả hai người.”

Bà vẫn than vãn, “Ôi hoàng thượng, để trở thành một tỳ khưu ngài làm cho thiếp mất đi một người chồng. Thật là xấu hổ! Thiếp phải làm gì đây?”

Vua nói, “Chỉ cần chăm lo dậy dỗ cho hoàng tử đừng có những ý nghĩ, lời nói hay hành động xấu. Nếu không nàng sẽ tự đem những hậu quả đau buồn đến cho mình.”

Khi mặt trời lặn, hoàng hậu dựng lều trại trong khi vua đi vô rừng ngủ dưới một gốc cây. Ngày hôm sau bà tiếp tục đi theo vua, đem quân đội theo với bà.Họ đến một thành phố nhỏ.

Tình cờ có một người đàn ông trong thành phố vừa mua được một miếng thịt ngon ở tiệm bán thịt. Sau khi nấu chín ông để nó trên bàn cho nguội, thì một con chó hoang đã ngoạm lấy nó rồi bỏ chạy. Ông ta rượt theo con chó đến tận cổng phía nam của thành phố. Đến đó thì ông ta bỏ cuộc vì quá mệt để đi tiếp.

Con chó trên đường trốn chạy đã cắt ngang qua đường đi của Vua Quả Lành và Hoàng hậu Sivali. Thấy đông người, con chó sợ hãi nên bỏ lại miếng thịt trên đường rồi chạy mất. Vua thấy đó là một miếng thịt ngon và không biết ai là chủ nhân của nó. Vì vậy ngài chùi sạch miếng thịt rồi bỏ vô bát khất thực của mình và ăn.

Hoàng hậu Sivali vì đã quen ăn những món cao lương mỹ vị ở hoàng cung nên cảm thấy lợm giọng. Bà nói với vua, “Ngay cả khi gần chết, một người quyền quý cũng sẽ không ăn thức ăn thừa của chó! Ăn những thức ăn gớm ghiếc như vậy sẽ làm cho ngài bị mất đi phẩm giá!” Nhưng vua đã trả lời rằng, “Sự hảnh diện quá đáng của hoàng hậu làm cho nàng không nhìn thấy giá trị của miếng thịt này.. Nếu được đón nhận đúng cách, tất cả thực phẩm đều sạch sẽ và lành mạnh!”

Khi họ tiếp tục lên đường đi đến thành phố, Vua Quả Lành suy nghĩ, “Hoàng hậu Sivali cứ đi theo mình mãi. Đây thật là điều xấu cho một nhà sư. Người ta sẽ nói rằng, “Ông ấy đã từ bỏ vương quốc của ông nhưng lại không thể bỏ được vợ ông!” Ta phải tìm cách dậy cho bà ấy biết rằng bà phải đi về.”

Vừa lúc đó họ trông thấy một bầy trẻ đang chơi gần bên. Trong đám đó có một em gái có đeo một chiếc vòng ở một bên cổ tay và hai chiếc ở bên cổ tay kia. Nghĩ rằng em là một đứa bé thông minh nên vua bèn hỏi, “Này cháu bé, tại sao một tay của cháu làm ra tiếng động mỗi khi di chuyển trong khi tay kia thì không?”

Đứa bé gái trả lời, “Thưa sư, đó là vì trên một tay thì có hai chiếc vòng, trong khi tay kia thì chỉ có một. Tay có hai chiếc thì chiếc thứ nhì chạm vào chiếc thứ nhất và làm ra tiếng động. Tay chỉ có một chiếc vòng nên giữ được yên lặng. Vì thế nếu ngài muốn được hạnh phúc ngài phải học cách tự hài lòng khi ở một mình.”

Bồ Tát liền nói với hoàng hậu, “Nàng có nghe câu nói khôn ngoan của cháu bé này không? Là một tỳ khưu, ta thật là xấu hổ khi để cho nàng đứng cạnh ta trước mặt cô bé. Vì vậy nàng hảy đi đường nàng và ta sẽ đi đường ta. Chúng ta không còn là vợ chồng nữa – chào tạm biệt!”

Hoàng hậu đồng ý và họ đã đi hai đường riêng rẽ. Nhưng bà trở nên đau buồn nữa và quay lại đi theo vua. Họ cùng đi vào thành phố, để sư có thể đi khất thực.

Họ đến trước căn nhà của một người làm cung tên. Họ coi ông nhúng ướt mũi tên còn nóng đỏ, và kéo nó thẳng ra trong khi nhìn xuống thân cung chỉ với một mắt mở. Vua hỏi ông, “Ông bạn, để làm cho mũi tên hoàn toàn thẳng, tại sao ông nhìn nó với một mắt mở và mắt kia đóng lại?”

Người làm cung tên trả lời, “Với hai mắt mở, cảnh thấy được từ mắt thứ hai sẽ làm phân tâm. Chỉ bằng cách tập trung cái nhìn của tôi trong một mắt thì tôi mới có thể thật sự nhìn thấy độ thẳng của cung tên. Vì thế nếu ngài muốn được hạnh phúc ngài phải học cách tự hài lòng khi ở một mình.”

Vua nhận thực phẩm khất thực và rồi họ rời thành phố. Vua nói với hoàng hậu, “Nàng có nghe cùng một câu nói khôn ngoan từ người thợ nhà nghề đó không? Là một tỳ khưu, ta thật là xấu hổ khi để cho nàng đứng cạnh ta trước mặt ông ấy. Vì vậy nàng hảy đi đường nàng và ta sẽ đi đường ta. Chúng ta không còn là vợ chồng nữa – chào tạm biệt!” Nhưng bà vẫn theo ông.

Rồi vị Đaị Thánh Nhân cắt một thân cây cỏ cao. Ngài nói với Hoàng hậu Sivali, “Giống như hai phần của thân cây cỏ cao này không thể nối lại với nhau, ta sẽ không kết hợp với nàng trong hôn nhân nữa. Hai chúng ta không thể kết nối cùng nhau nữa. Như một thân cây cỏ còn nguyên chưa cắt, hảy sống một mình, người vợ cũ Sivali của ta.”

Khi nghe điều này hoàng hậu đã nổi điên lên vì bực tức và đau khổ. Bà tự đánh mình với cả hai tay cho đến khi bà té xuống đất và bất tỉnh. Nhìn thấy vậy, Bồ Tát đã nhanh chóng rời đường chính. Ngài xoá bỏ hết dấu chân và biến mất vào rừng.

Trước đó ngài đã từ bỏ quyền lực và sự giàu có của một vị vua. Giờ đây ngài lại từ bỏ quyền lực và lòng ham muốn của một người chồng. Cuối cùng ngài đã được tự do để theo con đường của một vị sư rong ruổi đi tìm Chân Lý. Ngài đã đến được Himalayas và chỉ trong vòng một tuần lễ ngài đã có thể triển khai được những trí năng đặc biệt. Ngài đã chẳng bao giờ trở lại thế giới bình thường nữa.

Trong khi đó các quan đại thần, tuy đi theo nhưng vẫn giữ một khoảng cách, nay thấy hoàng hậu bất tỉnh nên đến gần để xem sao. Họ rẩy nước lên mặt bà và lay bà tỉnh dậy. Hoàng hậu hỏi, “Hoàng thượng chồng của tôi ở đâu?” Họ nói, “Chúng thần không biết. Hoàng hậu có biết không?” Trong cơn hoảng loạn bà ra lệnh, “Đi tìm ông ấy ngay!” Họ chia nhau tìm kiếm, nhung dĩ nhiên là ngài đã đi xa rồi.

Khi Hoàng hậu Sivali hồi phục từ nỗi lo sợ và đau buồn, bà nhận ra rằng mình không còn giận dử, hờn ghen hay là hận thù với sư Quả Lành. Trái lại bà cảm phục ông hơn bao giờ kể từ ngày họ gặp nhau, khi bà đưa tay cho ông nắm và dẫn ông lên ngai vàng.

Hoàng hậu cho xây tượng đài để thể hiện lòng tôn kính vua dũng cảm Quả Lành ở bốn chỗ: nơi ngài đã nói chuyện với thánh nhân Narada lúc vị này xuất hiện ở trên không, nơi ngài đã ăn miếng thịt ngon để lại bởi con chó, nơi ngài đã đặt câu hỏi với em bé gái, và với người làm mủi tên.

Bà cho tổ chức lễ đăng vương của Hoàng tử Trường Thọ ở bên cạnh hai cây xoài trong khu vườn hoàng gia. Rồi cùng với quân đội và những người tham dự buổi lễ, họ đi trở về kinh thành Mithila.

Mặc dù phải đối mặt với chính mình, Hoàng hậu Sivali đã học được nhiều điều qua việc đeo đuổi và cuối cùng là mất chồng mình, Vua Quả Lành. Và rồi bà cũng đã nếm được mùi vị của tự do!

Vị phu nhân khôn ngoan đó đã từ bỏ trách nhiệm hoàng gia của mình. Bà về hưu để tu thiền ở khu vườn gần mấy cây xoài. Với nhiều nỗ lực, bà đạt được trạng thái thiền định cao và nhờ vậy mà bà đã được tái sinh vào cõi trời.

Ý chính: Làm gia tăng quyền lực dễ hơn là từ bỏ nó.

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King Fruitful and Queen Sivali

Giving Up Power (Chapter 3.)

This story happened very long ago, at a time when people lived much longer lives, even 10,000 years! After King Fruitful had ruled for about 7,000 years, it just so happened that the royal gardener brought him an especially wonderful collection of fruits and flowers. He liked them so much that he wanted to see the garden. So the gardener arranged and decorated the garden, and invited him to visit.

The king set out on a royal elephant, followed by the entire court and many of the ordinary people of Mithila. When he entered through the garden gate he saw two beautiful mango trees. One was full of perfectly ripe mangoes, while the other was completely without fruit. He took one of the fruits and enjoyed its delicious sweet taste. He decided to eat more of them on his return trip.

When the people saw that the king had eaten the first fruit, they knew it was all right for them to eat. In no time at all the mangoes had been eaten. When the fruits were gone, some even broke the twigs and stripped the leaves looking for more.

When King Fruitful returned he saw that the tree was stripped bare and nearly destroyed. At the same time the fruitless tree remained as beautiful as before, its bright green leaves shining in the sunlight.

The king asked his ministers, "What has happened here?" They explained, "Since your majesty ate the first fruit, the people felt free to devour the rest. Searching for more fruits they even destroyed the leaves and twigs. The fruitless tree was spared and remains beautiful, since it has no fruit."

This saddened the king. He thought, "This fruitful tree was destroyed, but the fruitless one was spared. My kingship is like the fruitful tree - the more the power and possessions, the greater the fear of losing them. The holy life of a simple monk is like the fruitless tree - giving up power and possessions leads to freedom from fear."

So the Great Being decided to give up his wealth and power, to leave the glory of kingship behind, to abandon the constant task of protecting his position. Instead he decided to put all his effort into living the pure life of a simple monk. Only then could he discover lasting deep happiness, which would spread to others as well.

He returned to the city. Standing next to the palace gate, he called for the commander of the army. He said, "From now on, no one is to see my face except a servant bringing food and a servant bringing water and toothbrush. You and the ministers will rule according to the old law. I will live as a simple monk on the top floor of the palace."

After he had lived for a while in this way, the people began to wonder about the change in him. One day a crowd gathered in the palace courtyard. They said, "Our king is not as he was before. He no longer wants to see dancing or listen to singing or watch bull fights and elephant fights or go to his pleasure garden and see the swans on the ponds. Why does he not speak to us?" They asked the servants who brought the king his food and water, "Does he tell you anything?"

They said, "He is trying to keep his mind from thinking about desirable things, so it will be peaceful and wholesome like the minds of his old friends, the Silent Buddhas. He is trying to develop the purity of the ones who own nothing but good qualities. Once we even heard him say out loud, "I can think only of the Silent Buddhas, free from chasing ordinary pleasures. Their freedom makes them truly happy - who will take me to where they live?"

King Fruitful had been living on the top floor of the palace trying to be a simple monk for only about four months. At that point he realized there were too many distractions in the beautiful kingdom of Mithila. He saw them as only an outer show keeping him from finding inner peace and Truth. So he decided, once and for all, to give up everything and become a forest monk and go live in the Himalaya Mountains.

He had the yellow robes and begging bowl of a monk brought to him. He ordered the royal barber to shave his head and beard. Then early the next morning, he began walking down the royal staircase.

Meanwhile Queen Sivali had heard about his plans. She gathered together the 700 most beautiful queens of the royal harem and took them up the staircase. They passed King Fruitful coming down, but didn't recognize him dressed as a monk. When they got to the top floor, Queen Sivali found it empty, with only the king's shaven hair and beard still there. Instantly she realized the unknown monk must be her husband.

All 701 queens ran down the stairs to the palace courtyard. There they followed the king-turned-monk. As Queen Sivali had instructed them, they all let down their hair and tried to entice the king to stay. They cried and cried, pleading with him, "Why are you doing this?" Then all the people of the city became very upset and began following him. They were weeping as they cried out, "We have heard that our king has become a simple monk. How can we ever find such a good and fair ruler again?"

The 700 harem queens, wearing all their lovely veils and rich jewels, crying and begging, did not change the mind of the Enlightenment Being. For he had made his decision and was determined to stick to it. He had given up the gold anointing bowl of state, which had passed the power of the royal family to him. Instead he now carried only the plain clay-begging bowl of a humble monk, a seeker of Truth.

Finally Queen Sivali stopped crying. She saw that the beautiful queens from the harem had not stopped her husband. So she went to the commander of the army. She told him to set a fire among the slum houses and abandoned buildings that were in the king's path. She told him to set fires of brush and wet leaves in different areas of the city, to make a lot of smoke.

When this was done she fell to the ground at the king's feet and cried, "All Mithila is burning, my lord! The beautiful buildings with their valuable art works, precious metals and jewels, and treasures are all being destroyed. Return, oh king, and save your riches before it is too late."

But the Enlightenment Being replied, "All these things belong to others. I own nothing. So I'm not afraid of losing anything. And losing things can't make me sad. My mind is at peace."

Then he left the city through the northern gate, still followed by all 701 queens. According to Queen Sivali's instructions, they showed him villages being robbed and destroyed. There were armed men attacking, while others seemed wounded and dead. But what looked like blood was really just red dye, and the dead were only pretending. The king knew it was a trick, since there were no actual robbers and plunderers in the kingdom in the first place.

After walking still farther, the king stopped and asked his ministers, "Whose kingdom is this?" "Yours, oh lord," they said. "Then punish any who cross this line," he ordered, as he drew a line across the road. No one, including Queen Sivali, dared to cross the line. But when she saw the king continuing on down the road, with his back to her, she was grief-stricken. Beating her breast she fell across the line. Once the line was crossed, the whole crowd lost its fear and followed her.

Queen Sivali kept the army with her as the entire crowd kept following King Fruitful. He continued for many miles, heading for the Himalayas in the north.

Meanwhile, there was a very advanced monk named Narada, who lived in a golden cave in the Himalayas. He was a very wise man. By great mental effort he had gained supernatural powers that only the highest holy men are said to have. After meditating in a wonderful trance for a full week he suddenly shouted, "What happiness! Oh what happiness!"

Then, using his special powers, he looked out over all India to see if there was anyone who was sincerely seeking that same happiness, free of all the distractions of the world. He saw only King Fruitful, the Bodhisattva who would some day become the Buddha. He saw that he had given up all his earthly power. And yet he was still blocked, still hindered by the obstacle of the crowd following him from his previous worldly life. In order to help and encourage him, he magically flew through the air and floated in front of the king.

He asked King Fruitful, "Oh monk, why is this crowd with all its noise following you?" The king replied, "I have given up the power of kingship and left the world for good. This is why my former subjects follow me, even though I leave them happily."

The holy monk said, "Don't be too confident, oh monk. You haven't succeeded in leaving the world quite yet. For there are still obstacles inside of you. These are the 'Five Hindrances' - the desire for ordinary pleasures of sight, sound and so forth; the desire to harm others; laziness; nervous worrying; and unreasonable doubts. Therefore, practice the Perfections, be patient, and don't think either too much or too little of yourself."

He finished by saying, "I give you my blessing - may goodness, knowledge and Truth protect you on your way." Then he disappeared and reappeared back in his golden cave.

Due to this wise advice, King Fruitful became even less concerned with the crowd outside, realizing that the greatest obstacles, or hindrances, are the ones inside.

Meanwhile Queen Sivali fell at his feet once again. She pleaded, "Oh king, hear the wails of your subjects. Before leaving them for good, comfort them by crowning your son to rule in your place."

He replied, "I have already left my subjects, friends, relatives and my country behind. Have no fear, the nobles of Mithila have trained Prince Longlife well, and they will protect and support you both."

She continued, "Oh king, by becoming a monk you are leaving me without a husband. What a shame! What am I to do?"

He said, "Only be careful to teach the prince no unwholesome thoughts, words or deeds. Otherwise you would bring painful results to yourself."

As the sun set, the queen made camp while the king went into the forest to sleep at the foot of a tree. The next day she continued to follow him, bringing the army with her. They approached a small city.

It just so happened that a man in the city had bought a fine piece of meat from a butcher. After cooking it he placed it on a table to cool, when a stray dog grabbed it and ran off. The man followed the dog as far as the southern gate of the city. There he gave up because he was too tired to continue.

The escaping dog crossed the path of King Fruitful and Queen Sivali. Frightened by them, he dropped the meat on the road. The king saw that it was a good piece of meat and that the real owner was unknown. So he cleaned the meat, put it in his begging bowl, and ate it.

Queen Sivali, who was used to eating the delicacies of the palace, was disgusted. She said to him, "Even at the point of death a high class person would not eat the leavings of a dog! Eating such disgusting food shows you are completely unworthy!" But he replied, "It is your own vanity that keeps you from seeing the value of this meat. If rightfully obtained, all food is pure and wholesome!"

As they continued to approach the city, King Fruitful thought, "Queen Sivali keeps following me. This is a bad thing for a monk. People say, 'He has given up his kingdom, but he can't get rid of his wife!' I must find a way to teach her she must go."

Just then they came upon some playing children. Among them was a girl with one bracelet on one wrist and two on the other. Thinking she was a wise child, the king asked her, "My child, why does your one arm make noise with every movement, while the other does not?"

The little girl replied, "Oh monk, it's because on one arm there are two bracelets, while on the other there is only one. Where there are two, it's the second that clangs against the first and makes noise. The arm with only one bracelet remains silent. So if you would be happy, you must learn to be contented when alone."

The Bodhisattva said to the queen, "Do you hear the wisdom of this child? As a monk I would be ashamed to let you stay with me in front of her. So you go your way and I'll go mine. We are husband and wife no more - good-bye!"

The queen agreed and they took separate paths. But she became grief-stricken again and returned to follow the king. They entered the city together, so he could collect alms food.

They came to the house of an arrow maker. They watched him wet the red-hot arrow, and straighten it while sighting down the shaft with only one eye open. The king asked him, "Friend, to make the arrow perfectly straight, why do you view it with one eye open and the other shut?"

The arrow maker answered, "With both eyes open, the wide view of the second eye is distracting. Only by concentrating my view in one eye can I truly see the straightness of the arrow. So if you would be happy, you must learn to be contented when alone."

The king collected alms food and then they left the city. He said to the queen, "Did you hear the same wisdom again from that craftsman? As a monk I would be ashamed to let you stay with me in front of him. So you go your way and I'll go mine. We are husband and wife no more - good-bye!" But still she followed him.

Then the Great Being cut a stalk of tall grass. He said to Queen Sivali, "Just as the two pieces of this stalk of grass cannot be joined again, so I will not join you again in the marriage bed! We two can never be joined together again. Like a full stalk of uncut grass, live on alone, my ex-wife Sivali."

On hearing this the queen went crazy with shock and grief. She beat herself with both hands until she fell to the ground - completely unconscious. Realizing this, the Bodhisattva quickly left the roadway. He erased his footsteps and disappeared into the jungle.

First he had given up the power and wealth of a king. Now he had given up the power and desire of a husband. At last he was free to follow the path of a Truth-seeking wandering monk. He made his way to the Himalayas and in only one week he was able to develop special mental powers. Never again did he return to the ordinary world.

Meanwhile the royal ministers, who had been following at a distance, reached the fainted queen. They sprinkled water on her and revived her. She asked, "Where is my husband the king?" They said, "We don't know. Don't you know?" In a panic she ordered, "Search for him!" They looked and looked, but of course he was gone.

When Queen Sivali recovered from her fear and grief, she realized she felt no anger, jealousy or vengeance towards the monk Fruitful. Instead she admired him more than at any time since the day they met, when she gave him her hand and led him to the throne.

She had monuments erected to honor the courageous King Fruitful on four sites: where he had spoken with the floating holy man Narada, where he had eaten the good meat left by the dog, where he had questioned the little girl, and also the arrow maker.

Beside the two mango trees in the royal garden, she had Prince Longlife crowned as the new king. Together with the army and crowds of followers, they returned to the city of Mithila.

In spite of herself, Queen Sivali had learned something by following, and finally losing, her husband King Fruitful. She too had tasted freedom!

The wise lady gave up her royal duties. She retired to meditate in the garden by the mango trees. With great effort, she gained a high mental state leading to rebirth in a heaven world.

The moral is: It's easier to gain power than to give it up.

Kurunegoda Piyatissa

(The Jataka stories)

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Bài 3 - Gia Tăng Quyền Lực

Vua Quả Lành và Hoàng Hậu Sivali

Gia Tăng Quyền Lực (Chương 2)

Thủy Tú dịch thuật

Ngày tháng trôi qua, em bé sơ sanh đó đã trở thành một cậu bé con. Bạn bè của nó thường hay chọc ghẹo chỉ vì em không được sinh ra trong giai cấp cao như chúng. Vì thế cậu bé đến hỏi mẹ coi ai là cha của em. Bà khuyên con đừng để ý đến lời nói của mấy đứa bé kia. Bà nói cho nó biết người cha đã qua đời của nó là Vua Quả Xấu của xứ Mithila. Và bằng cách nào mà em của ông, Hoàng tử Quả Nghèo đã cướp đoạt ngai vàng. Sau khi nghe mẹ kể, cậu bé chẳng còn bận tâm nữa khi nghe mấy đứa trẻ kia gọi mình là “con trai của bà góa”.

Khi cậu được gần tròn16 tuổi, chàng trai trẻ thông minh sáng dạ Quả Lành đã học và lảnh hội được các bộ môn tôn giáo, văn chương và kỹ năng của một chiến binh. Cậu đã trở thành một thanh niên vô cùng tuấn tú.

Cậu quyết định là đã đến lúc phải lấy lại vương miện chính đáng của mình, cái ngai vàng mà người chú đã cướp đoạt bấy lâu nay. Rồi cặu đến hỏi mẹ rằng, “Mẹ có giữ chút của cải, tài sản nào của cha con không?” Bà đáp, “Có chứ! Mẹ chẳng bỏ trốn với hai bàn tay không đâu. Vì nghĩ đến con, nên mẹ đã đem theo các chuỗi ngọc, nữ trang cẩn đá quý và kim cương. Nên con không cần phải đi làm để kiếm tiền đâu. Hảy ra đi và tìm cách lấy lại vương quốc của con.”

Nhưng cậu nói, “Không đâu thưa mẹ, con sẽ lấy một nửa thôi. Con sẽ đi thuyền đến Burma, vùng đất vàng, và gầy dựng tài sản của con ở đó.” Mẹ cậu nói, “Không được đâu con, đi thuyền xa xôi như vậy thì nguy hiểm lắm. Có nhiều tài sản ở đây lắm mà!” Cậu nói, “Con phải để lại một nửa cho mẹ, để mẹ có thể sống thoải mái như một bà hoàng.” Thế rồi cậu đã lên đường đi đến Burma bằng đường biển như dự định.

Vào ngày Hoàng tử Quả Lành ra khơi, ở kinh thành Mithila, vua Quả Nghèo đã lâm trọng bệnh. Ông bị đau nặng đến độ không thể bước ra khỏi giường.

Trong khi đó, con tàu trên đường đến Burma với khoảng 350 hành khách, đã ở trên biển được bảy ngày. Sau đó có một trận bão lớn xảy ra làm cho con tàu bị hư hỏng nặng. Tất cả mọi người trên tàu ngoại trừ hoàng tử đã la khóc, sợ hãi và cầu nguyện với thánh thần của họ xin được cứu giúp. Nhưng vị Bồ Tát đã không chút sợ hãi, đấng Giác Ngộ không cầu xin bất cứ một vị thánh thần nào đến cứu. Trái lại, người đã tự cứu lấy mình.

Hoàng tử lấy bơ trộn với đường làm thức ăn cho chắc bụng vì người không biết lúc nào sẽ được ăn nữa. Cậu nhúng quần áo của mình vô dầu để giữ cho khỏi lạnh và có thể nổi lên trên mặt nước.

Rồi khi tàu bắt đầu chìm, cậu tìm cách giữ chậc lấy cột buồm, vì nó là phần cao nhất của con tàu. Khi sàn tàu chìm xuống dưới nước, hoàng tử kéo mình lên cao trên cột buồm.

Trong lúc ấy, những người đang run rẩy khấn cầu trên tàu đã bị sóng biễn cuốn chìm xuống nước và bị nuốt chửng bởi những con cá đói và những con rùa khổng lồ. Chẳng mấy chốc nước ở chung quanh đã đổi thành màu đỏ của máu.

Khi tàu chìm, Hoàng tử Quả Lành đã leo lên đỉnh của cột buồm. Đổ tránh khỏi bị nuốt chửng trong biển máu, cậu dùng sức nhảy thật mạnh từ đỉnh buổm về hướng của vương quốc Mithila. Và cũng nhờ vậy mà hoàng tử đã có thể tự cứu mình thoát khỏi hàm răng sắt bén của lũ cá mập và rùa. Vào lúc ấy, Vua Quả Nghèo đã trút hơi thở cuối cùng trên giường bệnh.

Sau khi nhảy vọt thật xa từ đỉnh cột buồm, hoàng tử đã rơi xuống vùng biển có màu xanh ngọc. Toàn thân cậu tỏa sáng như vàng vì cậu đã bơi suốt bảy ngày đêm. Nhìn thấy trăng tròn cậu biết hôm nay là ngày rầm chay tịnh. Nên hoàng tử làm sạch miệng mình bầng cách xúc miêng với nước biển và suy tưởng đến “Tám Bước Đường Tu Tập”.

Vào thuở xa xưa ấy, các vị thần của bốn phương đã chỉ định một vị thần nữ làm thần bảo vệ các vùng biển. Họ nói cho thần nữ biết là bổn phận của bà là bảo vệ cho những ai biết kính yêu mẹ của họ và người lớn tuổi khác. Vì thế, những người này nếu có bị rớt xuống biển thì sẽ được bà bảo vệ.

Do vậy mà Hoàng tử Quả Lành xứng đáng được sự bảo vệ của thần biển. Nhưng trong bảy ngày cậu lênh đênh trên biển, thần nữ đã không để ý làm bổn phận của mình! Bà đã quá bận rộn hưởng thụ những thú vui tiên cảnh mà quên không canh chừng biển.

Cuối cùng bà sực nhớ đến bổn phận của mình nên đã nhìn khắp các vùng biển. Rồi bà nhìn thấy vị hoàng tử với tấm thân màu vàng nâu đang vùng vẫy dưới nước sau bảy ngày đêm phải bơi lội trên đại dương. Thần nữ nghĩ, “Nếu ta để cho Hoàng tử Quả Lành chết trong biển, ta sẽ không được các vị thần trên tiên cảnh đón nhận nữa. Vì quả thật vị hoàng tử này chính là một đấng Giác Ngộ!”

Rồi bà biến thành một tiên nữ xinh đẹp, hiện ra trên bầu trời gần chỗ cậu. Vì muốn học hỏi về Chân Lý từ hoàng tử nên bà liền hỏi, “Biển rộng bao la vô bờ bến, taị sao ngươi lại cố gắng đi đến nơi cuối cùng của biển?”

Nghe những lời này hoàng tử thầm nghĩ, “Mình đã bơi trên biển suốt bảy ngày, không gặp một người nào vậy thì đây là tiếng của ai?” Khi cậu trông thấy thần nữ bay lơ lững trên không, cậu nói, “Chào thần nữ xinh đẹp, tôi biết nỗ lực đó là sự vận hành của thế giới. Cho nên khi mà tôi còn ở trong thế giới này, tôi sẽ thử và thử mãi, cho dù là ở giữa biển cả mênh mông không nhìn thấy bờ.”

Muốn được học hỏi thêm từ cậu nên bà lại khảo hạch tiếp, “Vùng biển rộng này còn trải dài ra xa hơn cả những gì mà cậu thấy, không thể nào đến được bờ. Nỗ lực của cậu thật là vô ích – vì cậu sẽ phải chết ở đây!”

Hoàng tử trả lời, “Này thần nữ, làm sao mà nỗ lực lại có thể vô ích? Vì khi mà một người không bao giờ từ bỏ thử thách thì người ấy không thể bị khiển trách, dù là bởi người thân của họ ở dưới trái đất này hay bởi những vị thần ở trên trời kia. Cho nên người ấy không có gì để ân hận. Cho dù nó có vẻ như không thể thực hiện được, nếu người đó ngưng cố gắng thì họ sẽ làm cho nỗ lực của mình bị sụp đổ.!”

Hài lòng với câu trả lời của hoàng tử, vị thần hộ mạng đã thử cậu lần cuối. Bà hỏi, “Tại sao cậu lại tiếp tục, khi mà thật ra không có phần thưởng nào đang chờ ngoại trừ sự đau đớn và cái chết.?”

Cậu trả lời bà thêm lần nữa, giống như là một thầy giáo nói với học trò, “Nó chính là sự vận hành của thế giới mà ở đó người ta ra kế hoạch và cố gắng để đạt được mục tiêu của mình. Kế hoạch có thể thành công hay thất bại – chỉ có thời gian mới biết được – nhưng giá trị chính là ở cái nỗ lực trong giây phút hiện tại.

Và bên cạnh đó, này thần nữ, bà có thấy là những hành động của tôi đã đem lại kết quả không? Những người bạn đồng thuyền với tôi đã chỉ biết cầu nguyện và họ đã chết. Nhưng tôi đã bơi cả bảy ngày và bảy đêm – và giờ đây bà đang ở trên cao, hảy chứng kiến! Tôi sẽ bơi với tất cả sức mạnh của mình, dù có phải đi qua cả cái biển này, để đến được bờ bên kia. Ngay cả khi tôi chỉ còn một chút sức lực, tôi vẫn sẽ thử và thử nữa.”

Hoàn toàn hài lòng, vị thần biển có nhiệm vụ bảo vệ người tốt liền nói, “Cậu là một người dám can đảm chống lại đại dương bao la cho dù hi vọng rất mong manh, một người quyết không từ bỏ những công việc khó khăn trước mặt, dám đến nơi nào mình muốn! Cậu được sự bảo vệ của tôi và không ai có thể cản trở cậu. Hảy nói cho tôi biết tôi có thể đưa cậu đi đâu.”

Hoàng tử cho bà biết là mình muốn đến Mithila. Thần nữ nhẹ nhàng nâng cậu lên như nâng một bó hoa và để cậu nằm trên ngực mình, như một người mẹ âu yếm ẵm con thơ bé bỏng của mình. Rồi bà bay lên không, trong khi đấng giác ngộ đi vào một giấc ngủ êm ả trên ngực thần nữ.

Khi đến Mithila, bà để cậu nằm trên một tảng đá thiêng trong một vườn xoài, và yêu cầu vị thần nữ ở khu vườn này canh chừng cậu. Rồi vị thần bảo vệ của biển cả bay trở về thiên đường của bà.

Vua Quả Nghèo qua đời để lại một cô con gái, ông không có con trai. Cô được giáo dục cẩn thận và rất thông minh, tên của cô là Công chúa Sivali.

Khi vua hấp hối, các quan đại thần hỏi ông, “Ai sẽ lên kế vị vua?” Vua Quả Nghèo trả lời, “Người nào có thể làm hài lòng con gái của ta Sivali; người nào có thể nhận ra đầu giường của cái giường vuông của vua; người nào có thể kéo được cái cung tên mà phải cần cả ngàn người mới kéo được hoặc là người nào có thể tìm ra 16 kho tàng đã được cất dấu.”

Sau khi chôn cất nhà vua, các quan đại thần bắt đầu đi tìm vua mới. Đầu tiên họ kiếm coi ai có thể làm hài lòng công chúa. Họ cho gọi vị tướng Tổng tư lệnh của Quân đội vào.

Công chúa Sivali muốn thử tài sức ông ta vì mong cho xứ Mithila được cai trị bởi một người lảnh đạo tài giỏi. Cô bảo ông lên gặp cô. Ngay lập tức, ông chạy lên những bậc thang của cung điện. Cô nói, “Để chứng tỏ sức mạnh của ông, hảy chạy vòng quanh cung điện.” Chỉ nghĩ đến việc làm hài lòng công chúa, viên tướng cứ chạy vòng quanh cung điện cho đến khi cô ra hiệu cho ông ngừng. Rồi cô nói, “Bây giờ hảy nhảy lên xuống.” Lần nữa viên tướng lại làm theo lệnh mà không suy nghĩ gì cả. Cuối cùng công chúa nói với ông ta, “Hảy đến đây và đấm bóp chân ta.” Ông ngồi xuống trước mặt cô và bắt đầu đấm bóp chân cô.

Đột nhiên cô đặt bàn chân lên ngực ông ta và đá ông té lăn xuống cầu thang. Cô quay sang những người hầu nữ đang đứng đợi và nói, “Tên đần độn này không có đầu óc gì cả.Hắn tưởng rằng sức mạnh chỉ là chạy vòng quanh và nhảy lên nhảy xuống và tuân lệnh mà không cần suy nghĩ. Hắn không có cá tính đặc sắc. Hắn thiếu năng lực cần thiết để cai trị một vương quốc. Nên hảy đem liệng hắn ra khỏi đây ngay lập tức!”

Sau này có người hỏi viên tướng về cuộc gặp gỡ giữa ông với Công chúa Sivali. Ông ta nói, “Tôi không muốn nói về chuyện đó. Cô ta không phải là con người!”

Điều tương tự cũng xảy ra với thủ quỹ, người giữ con dấu của hoàng gia và kiếm sĩ hoàng gia. Công chúa thấy họ đều là những tên ngốc nghếch không xứng đáng.

Vì thế mà các quan đại thần quyết định bỏ cuộc về việc làm hài lòng công chúa và đi tìm người nào có thể kéo được cung tên cần đến ngàn người để kéo. Nhưng họ cũng không thể tìm thấy ai. Tương tự, họ không thể tìm thấy người nào biết đầu giường của cái giường ngủ vuông của vua, hoặc người có thể tìm thấy 16 kho tàng.

Các quan đại thần ngày càng lo lắng hơn vì họ đã không thể tìm thấy một vị vua xứng đáng. Do đó họ đã hỏi ý kiến vị tu sĩ của hoàng tộc. Ông nói với họ, “Bình tĩnh đi, các bạn. Chúng ta sẽ cho tổ chức một lễ hội xe ngưạ hoàng gia. Hễ nó được chận lại bởi một người nào thì người đó sẽ có đủ khả năng để cai trị hết cả Án Độ.”

Rồi họ trang hoàng chiếc xe và mang ách ràng bốn con ngựa hoàng gia đẹp nhất vô xe. Vị tu sĩ có phẩm bật cao nhất vẩy nước thánh từ một cái bình đựng nước đã được làm phép bằng vàng. Ông tuyên bố, “Nào hảy lên đường, hởi chiếc xe không người lái, và tìm cho được một người xứng đáng với đầy đủ đức hạnh để cai trị vương quốc.”

Những con ngựa kéo chiếc xe đi quanh cung điện và sau đó xuống các đại lộ chính của Mithila. Chúng được theo sau bởi bốn đội binh – đội voi, đội xe ngựa, đội kỵ binh và bộ binh.

Các chính trị gia có nhiều thế lực nhất của thành phố đã tưởng rằng đoàn diễn hành sẽ ngừng trước nhà họ. Nhưng trái lại, nó đã rời bỏ thành phố qua cửa đông và đi thẳng đến vườn xoài. Rồi nó ngừng trước tảng đá thiêng nơi Hoàng tử Quả Lành đang ngủ.

Vị tu sĩ trưởng nói, “Chúng ta hảy thử người đàn ông đang ngủ xem ông ta có xứng đáng làm vua không. Nếu ông chính là người đó, ông sẽ không bị sợ hãi vì tiếng ồn của trống và các nhạc cụ của bốn đội quân.” Rồi họ tạo ra những âm thanh ồn ào, nhưng hoàng tử chỉ quay mình qua bên kia và tiếp tục ngủ. Thấy vậy họ làm tiếng động lớn hơn nữa. Lần nữa, hoàng tử chỉ quay người từ bên này qua bên kia.

Vị tu sĩ trưởng quan sát mặt dưới bàn chân của người đang say ngủ đó. Ông nói, “Người đàn ông này không chỉ cai tri Mithila mà là cả thế giới của bốn phương trời.” Rồi ông đánh thức hoàng tử và nói, “Chúa công, hảy thức dậy, chúng tôi xin ngài hảy làm vua của chúng tôi.”

Hoàng tử Quả Lành trả lời, “Chuyện gì xảy ra cho vua của ông?” “Ngài ấy đã chết,” vị tu sĩ nói. “Thế ông ấy có con không?” hoàng tử hỏi. “Chỉ có một con gái, Công chúa Sivali,” vị tu sĩ trả lời. Thế rồi Hoàng tử Quả Lành đồng ý làm vua mới của Mithila.

Vị tu sĩ trưởng đặt những đồ trang sức lên trên tảng đá thiêng. Sau khi tắm rửa xong, hoàng tử ngồi giữa những đồ trang sức . Ông được rẩy lên người bằng nước thơm từ lọ chứa nước dầu thánh bằng vàng. Rồi ông được tôn là Vua Quả Lành.. Vị vua mới ngồi trên chiếc xe hoàng gia, theo sau là đoàn diễn hành lộng lẫy, đi trở về thủ phủ của Mithila và vô cung điện.

Công chúa Sivali vẫn muốn thử tài vua. Nên cô cho một người đến nói với ông là cô muốn ông đến gặp cô ngay lập tức. Nhưng Vua Quả Lành lờ cô đi, chỉ tiếp tục kiểm tra cung điện với đồ nội thất của nó và các công trình nghệ thuật.

Người đưa tin bẩm báo việc này cho công chúa biết và cô đã gởi ông ta trở lại hai lần nữa nhưng cũng đều nhận được kết quả giống nhau. Ông báo cáo lại với cô, “Đây là một người đàn ông biết mình muốn gì, không có dễ bị lay chuyển. Ông ấy không để ý đến lời của công chúa giống như là chúng ta không để ý đến cỏ khi chúng ta bước lên nó!”

Chẳng mất chốc sau, nhà vua đã đến tòa nhà chính của hoàng cung nơi công chúa đang đợi. Ông từ tốn bước lên những bậc thang dẫn vào cung điện – không vội vã, không chậm chạp, nhưng rất trang nghiêm như một con sư tử trẻ uy dũng Công chúa đã có ấn tượng rất tốt bởi thái độ của vua nên cô bước ra đón ông, đưa tay cho ông nắm với một dáng vẻ rất tôn kính, và dẫn ông lên ngai. Vua oai nghiêm chững chạc ngồi lên chiếc ngai vàng.

Rồi ông hỏi các quan đại thần, “Tiên vương có nhắn nhủ lời nào về việc thử thách vua kế vị không?” “Bẩm hoàng thương có,” họ nói, “Người nào có thể làm hài lòng con gái Sivali của ta.” Vua trả lời, “Các ông đã thấy công chúa đưa bàn nay cho ta nắm. Thế còn thử thách nào không?”

Họ nói, “Người nào có thể nhận ra đầu giường của chiếc giường ngủ vuông của vua. Nhà vua gỡ một cái kẹp tóc vàng trên đầu mình ra và đưa cho Công chúa Sivali, rồi nói, “Hảy đem cái này đi cho ta.” Không chút suy nghĩ, cô để nó lên đầu giường. Làm như mình chưa nghe câu hỏi lần trước, Vua Quả Lành nói các quan đại thần lập lại câu hỏi. Khi họ nói, ông chỉ vào chiếc kẹp tóc vàng.

“Còn thử thách nào không?” vua hỏi. “Bẩm hoàng thượng có,” các quan đại thần trả lời, “Người nào có thể kéo được cung tên cần đến ngàn người để kéo.” Khi họ đem cung tên ra, vua kéo nó mà không cần phải đứng lên khỏi ngai vàng. Ông làm nó dễ dàng như một phụ nữ uốn cong thanh dùng để gỡ bông vải để kéo sợi.

“Còn thêm thử thách nữa không?” vua hỏi. Các quan đại thần nói, “Người nào có thể tìm được 16 kho tàng bị cất dấu.” “Đây là thử thách cuối”.

“Cái đầu tiên trong danh sách kho tàng là gi?” Ông hỏi. Họ nói, “Cái đầu tiên là kho tàng của mặt trời mọc.” Vua Quả Lành nhận thấy là phải có một số thủ thuật để tìm kiếm mỗi kho tàng. Ông biết là Đức Phật Im Lặng thường được so sánh như sự tỏa sáng của mặt trời. Vì thế ông hỏi, “Đâu là nơi vua đi đến gặp và cúng dường Đức Phật Im Lặng?” Khi họ chì ông chỗ đó, vua cho họ đào lên kho tàng đầu tiên.

Cái thứ nhì là kho tàng của mặt trời lặn. Vua Quả Lành biết rằng nó phải là nơi vị vua trước đã chào giã biệt Đức Phật Im Lặng. Trong cùng một cách thức, ngài đã tìm ra tất cả các kho tàng bị cất dấu.

Mọi người đều vui mừng là ngài đã vượt qua tất cả thử thách. Việc đầu tiên khi vua chính thức lên ngôi là cho xây nhà từ thiện ở trung tâm thành phố và ở bốn cổng thành. Ngài đem tặng hết cả 16 kho tàng cho những người nghèo khổ.

Rồi vua cho người đi báo tin cho mẹ mình, hoàng hậu của tiên vương Quả Xấu, và cho vị đạo sĩ thông thái, tốt bụng ở Campa. Ngài ban cho họ danh dự mà họ xứng đáng được nhận.

Dân chúng ở mọi nơi trong xứ đều đến Mithila để chào mừng sự phục hồi của dòng dõi hoàng tộc. Họ trang hoàng thành phố với những lẳng hoa thơm và trầm hương. Họ cung cấp ghế đệm cho du khách. Có đủ loại trái cây, kẹo bánh, nước uống và thức ăn nóng ở khắp nơi. Các quan đại thần và các nhà trưởng giả đem nhạc sĩ và vũ nữ đến múa hát cho vua xem. Có những bài thơ hay đọc bởi những sĩ phu, và ơn phước hô vang bởi những tu sĩ.

Đấng Giác Ngộ, Vua Quả Lành ngồi trên ngai vàng có lọng trắng hoàng gia che nắng. Là tâm điểm của buối đại lễ, ngài trông oai nghiêm như vua của cỏi trời, Vua Sakka. Ông nhớ lại là ông đã phải nỗ lực biết bao để chống chỏi vớii những hiểm nguy trên biển cả, khi mà ngay cả thần biển cũng đã bỏ quên ông. Cũng chỉ vì cái nỗ lực gần như là vô vọng đó mà ngài giờ đây trông oai nghiêm, uy dũng như một vị trời. Điều này làm cho vua cảm thấy vui đến nỗi ngài đã nói những lời sau:

"Sự việc xảy ra bất ngờ, và cầu nguyên có thể không trở thành sự thật. Nhưng nỗ lực đem lại kết quả mà suy nghĩ hay cầu nguyện đều không thể làm được.”

Sau buổi lễ mừng vua lên ngôi thật hoàng tráng đó, Vua Quả Lành đã cai trị xứ Mithila thật là quang minh, chính trực. Và vua đã khiêm nhường bày tỏ lòng tôn kính và cúng dường phẩm vật đến các vị Phật Im Lặng – những đấng giác ngộ sống trong thời đại mà lời giảng dậy của họ không một ai có thể hiểu được.

Vào độ tuổi viên mãn, Hoàng hậu Sivali đã hạ sanh ra một con trai.Vì các vị tiên tri trong triều đình nhìn thấy dấu hiệu của một cuộc sống rực rỡ lâu dài sẽ đến với bé, nên cậu đã được đặt tên là Hoàng tử Trường Thọ. Khi hoàng tử lớn lên, vua đã phong cho cậu vị trí thứ nhì trong triều.

King Fruitful and Queen Sivali

Gaining Power (Chapter 2.)

The baby grew into a little boy. His friends took to making fun of him for not being of high-class birth like they were. So he went and asked his mother who his father was. She told him to pay no attention to what the other children said. She told him his father was the dead King Badfruit of Mithila, and how his brother, Prince Poorfruit, had stolen the throne. After that, it didn’t bother him when the others called him "son of a widow."

Before he was 16, the bright young Fruitful learned all there was to know about religion, literature and the skills of a warrior. He grew into a very handsome young man.

He decided it was time to regain his rightful crown, which had been stolen by his uncle. So he went and asked his mother, "Do you have any of the wealth that belonged to my father?" She said, "Of course! I did not escape empty-handed. Thinking of you, I brought pearls, jewels and diamonds. So there is no need for you to work for pay. Go directly and take back your kingdom."

But he said, "No mother, I will take only half. I will sail to Burma, the land of gold, and make my fortune there." His mother said, ‘No my son, it is too dangerous to sail abroad. There is plenty of fortune here!" He said, "I must leave half with you, my mother, so you can live in comfort as a queen should." So saying, he departed by ship for Burma.

On the same day that Prince Fruitful set sail, his Uncle King Poorfruit became very ill. He was so sick that he could no longer leave his bed.

Meanwhile, on the ship bound for Burma there were some 350 people. It sailed for seven days. Then there was a violent storm that damaged and weakened the ship. All except the prince cried out in fear and prayed for help to their various gods. But the Bodhisattva did not cry out in fear; the Enlightenment Being did not pray to any god for help. Instead he helped himself.

He filled his belly with concentrated butter mixed with sugar, since he didn’t know how long it would be before his next meal. He soaked his clothes in oil to protect himself from the cold ocean water and help him stay afloat. Then when the ship began to sink, he went and held on to the mast, for it was the tallest part of the ship. As the deck sank underwater, he pulled himself up the mast.

Meanwhile his trembling praying shipmates were sucked underwater and gobbled up by hungry fish and huge turtles. Soon the water all around turned red from blood.

As the ship sank, Prince Fruitful reached the top of the mast. To avoid being devoured in the sea of blood, he jumped mightily from the tip of the mast - in the direction of the kingdom of Mithila. And at the same time as he saved himself from the snapping jaws of the fish and turtles. Meanwhile, King Poorfruit died in his bed.

After his mighty leap from the top of the mast, the prince fell into the emerald-colored sea. He body shined like gold as he swam for seven days and seven nights. Then he saw it was the fasting day of the full moon. So he purified his mouth by washing it out with salt water and observed the "Eight Training Steps".

Once upon a time in the very distant past, the gods of the four directions had appointed a goddess to be the protector of the oceans. They had told her that her duty was to protect especially all those who honor and respect their mothers and other elders. All such, who did not deserve to fall into the sea, were to be protected by her.

It just so happened that Prince Fruitful was one who deserved the protection of the ocean goddess. But for the seven days and seven nights that he had been swimming through the sea, the goddess had not been paying attention and doing her duty! She had been too busy enjoying heavenly pleasures to remember to keep watch on the oceans.

Finally she remembered her duty and looked over the oceans. Then she saw the golden prince struggling in the emerald sea after seven days and seven nights of swimming. She thought, "If I let this Prince Fruitful die in the ocean, I will no longer be welcome in the company of the gods. For truly, he is the Enlightenment Being!"

So she took on a form of splendor and beauty, and floated in the air near him. Wishing to learn Truth from him, she asked, "Without seeing the shore of the ocean, why are you trying to reach the ocean’s end?"

Hearing those words the prince thought, "For the seven days I’ve been swimming, I have met no one who can this be?" When he saw the goddess above him he said, "Oh lovely goddess, I know that effort is the way of the world. So as long as I am in this world, I will try and try, even in mid-ocean with no shore to be seen."

Wishing to learn more from him, she tested him by saying, "This vast ocean stretches much farther than you can see, without reaching a shore. Your effort is useless - for here you must die!"

The prince replied "Dear goddess, how can effort be useless? For he who never gives up trying cannot be blamed, either by his relatives here below or by the gods above. So he has no regrets. No matter how impossible it seems, if he stops trying he causes his own downfall!’

Pleased with his answers, the protecting goddess tested him one last time. She asked, "Why do you continue, when there really is no reward to be gained except pain and death?"

He answered her again, like a teacher to a pupil, "It is the way of the world that people make plans and try to reach their goals. The plans may succeed or fail - only time will tell - but the value is in the effort itself in the present moment.

"And besides, oh goddess, can’t you see that my actions have already brought results? My shipmates only prayed and they are dead! But I have been swimming for seven days and seven nights - and lo and behold -here you are, floating above me! So I will swim with all my might, even across the whole ocean, to reach the shore. While I have an ounce of strength I’ll try and try again."

Completely satisfied, the ocean goddess who protects the good said, "You who bravely fight the mighty ocean against hopeless odds, you who refuse to run from the task before you, go wherever your heart desires! For you have my protection and no one can stop you. Just tell me where I may carry you to."

The prince told her he wished to go to Mithila. The goddess gently lifted him like a bouquet of flowers and laid him on her chest, like a loving mother with a newborn babe. Then she flew through the air, while the Enlightenment Being slept, cradled against her heavenly body.

Arriving at Mithila, she laid him on a sacred stone in a garden of mangoes, and told the garden goddesses to watch over him. Then the protector goddess of the oceans returned to her heaven world home.

The dead King Poorfruit had left behind only a daughter, no sons. She was well educated and wise, and her name was Princess Sivali.

When the king was dying, the ministers asked him, "Who will be the next king?" King Poorfruit said, "Whoever can satisfy my daughter Sivali; whoever recognizes the head of the royal square bed; whoever can string the bow that only a thousand men can string; or whoever can find the 16 hidden treasures."

After the funeral of the king, the ministers began searching for a new king. First they looked for one who could satisfy the princess. They called for the General of the Army.

Princess Sivali wished to test him, so Mithila could be ruled by a strong leader. She told him to come to her. Immediately he ran up the royal staircase. She said, "To prove your strength, run back and forth in the palace." Thinking only of pleasing her, the general ran back and forth until she motioned for him to stop. Then she said, "Now jump up and down." Again the general did as he was told without thinking. Finally the princess told him, "Come here and massage my feet." He sat in front of her and began rubbing her feet.

Suddenly she put her foot against his chest and kicked him down the royal staircase. She turned to her ladies in waiting and said, "This fool has no common sense. He thinks the only strength is in running around and jumping up and down and following orders without thinking. He has no strength of character. He lacks the will power needed to rule a kingdom. So throw him out of here at once!"

Later the general was asked about his meeting with Princess Sivali. He said, "I don't want to talk about it. She is not human!"

The same thing happened with the treasurer, the cashier, the keeper of the royal seal and the royal swordsman. The princess found them all to be unworthy fools.

So the ministers decided to give up on the princess and find someone who could string the bow that only a thousand men can string. But again they could find no one. Similarly, they could find no one who knew the head of the royal square bed, or who could find the 16 treasures.

The ministers became more and more worried that they could not find a suitable king. So they consulted the royal family priest. He said to them, "Calm down, my friends. We will send out the royal festival carriage. The one it stops for will be able to rule over all India."

So they decorated the carriage and yoked the four most beautiful royal horses to it. The high priest sprinkled the carriage with holy water from a sacred golden pitcher. He proclaimed, "Now go forth, rider less carriage, and find the worthy one with enough merit to rule the kingdom."

The horses pulled the carriage around the palace and then down the main avenue of Mithila. They were followed by the four armies - the elephants, chariots, cavalry and foot soldiers.

The most powerful politicians of the city expected the procession to stop in front of their houses. But instead it left the city by the eastern gate and went straight to the mango garden. Then it stopped in front of the sacred stone where Prince Fruitful was sleeping.

The chief priest said, "Let us test this sleeping man to see if he is worthy to be king. If he is the one, he will not be frightened by the noise of the drums and instruments of all four armies." So they made a great clanging noise, but the prince just turned over on his other side, remaining asleep. Then they made the noise again, even louder. Again the prince simply rolled over from side to side.

The head priest examined the soles of the feet of the sleeping one. He said, "This man can rule not only Mithila, but the whole world in all four directions." So he awakened the prince and said, "My lord, arise, we beg you to be our king."

Prince Fruitful replied, "What happened to your king?" "He died," said the priest. "Did he have any children?" asked the prince. "Only a daughter, Princess Sivali," answered the priest. Then Prince Fruitful agreed to be the new king.

The chief priest spread jewels on the sacred stone. After bathing, the prince sat among the jewels. He was sprinkled with perfumed water from the gold anointing bowl. Then he was crowned King Fruitful. The new king rode in the royal chariot, followed by a magnificent procession, back to the city of Mithila and the palace.

Princess Sivali still wished to test the king. So she sent a man to tell him she wished him to come at once. But King Fruitful ignored her, simply continuing to inspect the palace with its furnishings and works of art.

The messenger told this to the princess and she sent him back two more times with the same results. He reported back to her, "This is a man who knows his own mind, not easily swayed. He paid as little attention to your words as we pay to the grass when we step on it!"

Soon the king arrived at the throne room, where the princess was waiting. He walked steadily up the royal staircase - not hurrying, not slowing down, but dignified like a strong young lion. The princess was so impressed by his attitude that she went to him, respectfully gave him her hand, and led him to the throne. He gracefully sat on the throne.

Then he asked the royal ministers, "Did the previous king leave behind any advice for testing the next king?" "Yes lord," they said, "Whoever can satisfy my daughter Sivali." The king responded, "You have seen the princess give me her hand. Was there another test?"

They said, "Whoever recognizes the head of the royal square bed." The king took a golden hairpin from his head and gave it to Princess Sivali, saying, "Put this away for me." Without thinking, she put it on the head of the bed. As if he had not heard it the first time, King Fruitful asked the ministers to repeat the question. When they did, he pointed to the golden hairpin.

"Was there another test?" asked the king. "Yes lord," replied the ministers, "Whoever can string the bow that only a thousand men can string." When they brought the bow, the king strung it without even rising from the throne. He did it as easily as a woman bends the rod that untangles cotton for spinning.

"Are there any more tests?" the king asked. The ministers said, "Whoever can find the 16 hidden treasures." These are the last tests."

"What is the first on the list?" he asked. They said, "The first is the treasure of the rising sun." King Fruitful realized that there must be some trick to finding each treasure. He knew that a Silent Buddha is often compared to the glory of the sun. So he asked, "Where did the king go to meet and feed Silent Buddha?" When they showed him the place, he had them dig up the first treasure.

The second was the treasure of the setting sun. King Fruitful realized this must be where the old king had said good-bye to Silent Buddha. In the same manner he found all the hidden treasures.

The people were happy that he had passed all the tests. As his first official act, he had houses of charity built in the center of the city and at each of the four gates. He donated the entire 16 treasures to be given to the poor and needy.

Then he sent for his mother, queen of the dead King Badfruit, and also for the kind wise man of Campa. He gave them both the honor they deserved.

All the people of the kingdom came to Mithila to celebrate the restoration of the royal line. They decorated the city with fragrant flower garlands and incense. They provided cushioned seats for visitors. There were fruits, sweets, drinks and cooked foods everywhere. The ministers and the wealthy brought musicians and dancing girls to entertain the king. There were beautiful poems recited by wise men, and blessings chanted by holy men.

The Enlightenment Being, King Fruitful, sat on the throne under the royal white umbrella. In the midst of the great celebration he seemed as majestic as the heavenly god, King Sakka. He remembered his great effort struggling in the ocean against all odds, when even the ocean goddess had abandoned him. Only because of that almost hopeless effort, he himself was now as magnificent as a god. This filled him with such joy that he spoke this rhyme -

"Things happen unexpectedly, and prayers may not come true: But effort brings results that neither thoughts nor prayers can do."

After the wonderful celebration, King Fruitful ruled in Mithila with perfect righteousness. And he humbly gave honor and alms food to Silent Buddhas - enlightened ones living in a time when their teachings could not be understood.

In the fullness of time Queen Sivali gave birth to a son. Because the wise men of the court saw signs of a long and glorious life ahead of him, he was named Prince Longlife. When he grew up, the king made him second in command.

Kurunegoda Piyatissa

(The Jataka stories)

Truyện Tiền Thân Đức Phật - Phần II

Monday, June 22, 2015

Bài 5 - Băng Đảng Nghiện Rượu

Băng Đảng Nghiện Rượu

(Điều Độ Khi Uống Rượu)

Friday, June 19, 2015

Bài 4 - Từ Bỏ Quyền Lực

Vua Quả Lành và Hoàng Hậu Sivali

Từ Bỏ Quyền Lực (Chương 3)

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Bài 3 - Gia Tăng Quyền Lực

Vua Quả Lành và Hoàng Hậu Sivali

Gia Tăng Quyền Lực (Chương 2)

Chùa Pháp Luân

Lưu trữ