Truyện Tiền Thân Đức Phật

Friday, June 5, 2015

Bài 2 - Vua Quả Lành và Hoàng Hậu Sivali

Vua Quả Lành và Hoàng Hậu Sivali

Sự Tái sanh của vị Bồ Tát (Chương 1)

Thủy Tú dịch thuật

Vào một thuở xa xưa ở thành Mithila, có một vị vua có hai người con trai. Người anh tên là Quả Xấu và người em tên là Quả Nghèo.

Khi họ vẫn còn nhỏ, vua ban cho con trai trưởng làm Thái tử. Ông ấy là người có quyền thứ nhì trong triều và sẽ kế vị ngai vua. Hoàng tử Quả Nghèo trở thành tư lịnh quân đội.

Sau đó khi vị vua già chết đi, Hoàng tử Quả Xấu trở thành vua. Và em của ông được lên chức Thái tử.

Không lâu sau đó, có một viên quan trong triều không thích Thái tử Quả Nghèo. Hắn đến gặp Vua Quả Xấu và đặt điều nói láo – rằng em của vua đang âm mưu giết ông. Thoạt tiên vua không tin hắn ta. Nhưng sau khi viên quan kia cứ lập đi lập lại điều thêu dệt này thì vua đâm ra lo sợ. Cho nên ông đã ra lệnh bắt trói Thái tử Quả Nghèo và đem giam vô ngục tối ở trong hoàng cung.

Hoàng tử nghĩ rằng, “Tôi là một người ngay thẳng không thể bị xiềng xích như vậy. Tôi chưa bao giờ có ý muốn giết anh của mình. Tôi cũng chưa từng giận anh ấy nữa. Vì vậy, bây giờ tôi kêu gọi sức mạnh của chân lý. Nếu những gì tôi nói là thật, xin hảy để cho những gông cùm này bị đứt và cửa ngục tối được mở ra.” Mầu nhiệm thay, chuỗi xiềng xích đã bị đứt ra từng mảnh, cửa ngục mở ra và vị hoàng tử đã chạy trốn đến một ngôi làng xa xôi hẻo lánh. Dân chúng ở đó nhận ra ông. Bởi vì họ kính trọng ông nên họ đã giúp ông trú ẩn. Và nhà vua đã không thể bắt ông lại.

Dù đang lẫn trốn, thái tử vẫn tạo được uy tín và trở thành lảnh chúa của cả vùng đất xa xôi đó. Dần dần ông đã xây dựng được một lực lượng quân đội hùng mạnh. Ông nghĩ rằng, “Mặc dù lúc đầu ta không phải là kẻ thù của anh ta, nhưng bây giờ thì ta chắc hẵn đã là kẻ thù của anh ấy rồi.” Vì vậy ông đem đạo quân của mình đến bao vây thành phố Mithila.

Ông báo tin cho vua Quả Xấu, “Em không phải là kẻ thù của anh, nhưng anh đã làm cho em trở thành như vậy. Do đó em quyết định gây chiến chống lại anh. Em cho anh chọn lựa – hoậc là nhường cho em ngai vàng và vương quốc này, còn không thì hảy ra đây chiến đấu.” Nghe vậy, đa số dân trong thành đã ra và đi theo thái tử.

Vua Quả Xấu quyết định giao chiến. Vua sẽ làm bất cứ điều gì để bảo vệ quyền lực của ông. Trước khi đem quân đi, vua đến gặp hoàng hậu để nói lời tạm biệt. Bà đang mang thai và cũng đã gần kề ngày sanh. Vua nói với bà, “Hoàng hậu yêu dấu của ta, không ai biết được người nào sẽ thắng trận. Vì vậy, nếu trẫm chết thì nàng hảy bảo vệ đứa con trong bụng nàng.” Rồi vua đã anh dũng ra đi chiến đấu và chẩng mấy chốc đã bị giết chết bởi binh lính của em ông.

Tin vua chết trận được loan truyền khắp hoàng thành. Hoàng hậu đã phải hóa trang thành một người vô gia cư nghèo khó bẩn thỉu. Bà mặc quần áo rách rưới và trét đất cát lên người. Bà dấu một số vàng của vua và những nữ trang quý giá nhất của bà vô cái túi xách và phủ lên trên một số gạo dính đầy đất sạn để không ai muốn lấy trộm. Rồi bà rời khói hoàng thành qua cổng phía bắc. Vì bà chỉ luôn ở trong cung điện nên hoàng hậu không biết phải đi đâu. Bà có nghe nói về một thành phố tên gọi là Campa. Bà ngồi xuống một góc đường và bắt đầu hỏi han coi có ai trên đường đến Campa không.

Một điều cũng nên biết là đưá bé sắp được sanh ra không phải là một em bé bình thường. Đây không phải cuộc sống đầu tiên hay là lần sanh đầu tiên của người. Hàng triệu năm trước, người đã là môn đệ của một vị “Phật”– một “Đấng Giác Ngộ” đã giáng sanh để truyền bá Phật pháp và đã bị lãng quên từ lâu. Người đã hết lòng thệ nguyện là sẽ trở thành Phật giống như là vị thầy kính yêu của ngài vậy.

Ngài đã tái sanh rất nhiều kiếp – có khi là những con thú đáng thương, có khi là các vị trời với rất nhiều tuổi thọ và có khi là những kiếp người. Ngài đã luôn cố gắng học hỏi từ những lỗi lầm của mình và đã tìm ra “Mười Điều Toàn Thiện”. Nhờ vậy ngài đã có thể thanh lọc được tâm hồn của ngài và từ bỏ được ba nguyên nhân của sự bất thiện – đó là sự độc hại của tham muốn, giận dữ và ảo tưởng của cái tôi riêng biệt. Bằng cách áp dụng những diều toàn thiện, một ngày nào đó ngài sẽ có thể thay thế những độc tính đó bằng ba đức tính trong sạch và tinh khiết – đó là không bám víu, từ bi và trí tuệ.

Vị “Đại Thánh Nhân” này đã từng là một môn đệ khiêm tốn của vị Phật bị lãng quên trong quá khứ. Mục tiêu của ngài là đạt được giác ngộ giống như Phật. – đó là trải nghiệm được sự thật (Chân Lý). Vì thế người ta gọi ngài là “Bồ Tát” (Bodhisatta), có nghĩa là “Người đã Giác Ngộ”. Không ai biết được gì về hàng triệu kiếp sống mà vị thánh nhân vĩ đại này đã trải qua. Nhưng có nhiều câu chuyện đã được truyền tụng – kể cả câu chuyện đang kể đây, chuyện một vị hoàng hậu đang mang thai và sắp sửa sanh ra ngài. Sau nhiều lần tái sanh nữa, ngài đã trở thành Phật , người đã và đang được biết đến và yêu kính trên toàn thế giới ngày nay.

Vào thời gian của câu chuyện này, Đấng Giác Ngộ đã đạt được Mười Điều Toàn Thiện. Cho nên tin vui về việc ngài sắp đản sanh đã làm chấn động khắp các cõi trời, kể cả cung Trời 33 được cai trị bởi Vua Sakka. Khi ông nghe thấy chấn động đó, là một vị vua trời nên ông biết rằng nó được tạo ra bởi thai nhi trong bụng của Hoàng hậu Mithila. Và vua trời biết chắc đây phải là một người có tài trí vĩ đại, nên ông quyết định đi đến nơi đó để giúp đỡ.

Vua Sakka dùng phép mầu làm một cỗ xe trong có giường nệm sẵn hiện ra bên lề đường trước mặt hoàng hậu. Ông giả dạng giống như một ông lão bình thường, và rao lớn, “Có ai cần đi Campa không?” Hoàng hậu liền trả lời, “Tôi muốn đi đến đó, thưa lão bá.” “Vậy thì hảy đi với tôi,” người phu xe già đáp lại.

Vì ngày sanh gần kề nên bụng cùa hoàng hậu trông đã khá lớn. Bà nói, “Tôi không thể leo lên xe được Chỉ cần để túi xách của tôi lên xe và tôi sẽ đi đầng sau.” Ông lão, vua của cõi trời, đáp lời, “Đừng lo! Đừng lo! Tôi là một người lái xe rất giỏi ở đây. Bà đừng lo sợ gì cả. Cứ bước vô xe tôi đi!”

Ngay khi hoàng hậu vừa nhấc chân lên, Vua Sakka liền hóa phép khiến cho mặt đất nơi bà đứng bị nâng lên cao. Nhờ vậy bà đã dễ dàng bước vô trong xe. Bà biết ngay lập tức đây là một vị thần, và bà đã nhanh chóng chìm vào giấc ngủ thật say.

Sakka lái xe đi cho đến khi ông trông thấy một con sông. Ông bèn đánh thức bà dậy và nói, “Hảy thức dậy đi con, và xuống sông tắm. Xong rồi thì hảy mặc bộ y phục tốt đẹp này, là của ta đem đến cho con. Sau đó thì ăn cơm cho no bụng.” Bà làm theo lời ông, và rồi lại nằm xuống ngủ thêm giấc nữa.

Buổi chiều bà thức dậy và trông thấy nhiều ngôi nhà cao lớn với tường thành bao bọc. Bà hỏi, “Thành phố này tên là gì, thưa cha?” Vua Sakka trả lời, “Đây là Campa. Ta đã đi đường tắt. Bây giờ chúng ta đang ở cổng nam của thành phố, con có thể đi vào thành an toàn. Ta phải trở về quê ta ở cách đây rất xa.” Rồi họ chia tay và Sakka biến mất, trở về lại cõi thiên đàng của ông.

Hoàng hậu đi vô thành phố và đến ngồi nghỉ ở một lữ quán. Tình cờ là có một vị đạo sĩ thông thái đang sống ở Campa lúc đó. Ông chuyên đọc thần chú và giúp đỡ cho những người nghèo và kém may mắn. Khi ông cùng với 500 đệ tử của ông đang trên đường đi đến sông tắm, ông đã trông thấy vị hoàng hậu xinh đẹp từ đàng xa. Sự thánh thiện của hài nhi trong bụng mẹ đã làm thành một lớp hào quang sáng ấm toả khắp người hoàng hậu, mà chỉ có vị đạo trưởng thông thái đó nhận thấy. Ngay lập tức ông cảm thấy như có một tình cảm thân thương nhẹ nhàng với bà, giống như bà là người em gái nhỏ của ông. Vì thế, ông tách ra khỏi các đệ tử và đi vào trong quán.

Ông hỏi bà, “Này em gái, quê em ở đâu vậy?” Bà trả lời, “Tôi là chánh hậu của Vua Quả Xấu của xứ Mithila.”

Ông bèn hỏi tiếp, “Thế tại sao bà lại đến đây?” Bà nói, “Chồng tôi bị binh lính của em ông ấy, Hoàng tử Quả Nghèo, giết chết. Tôi sợ nên đã chạy trốn để bảo vệ đứa con trong bụng tôi.” Vị đạo sĩ thông thái đó bèn hỏi, “Bà có thân quyến nào ở thành phố này không?” Bà trả lời, “Thưa ông không có ạ.” Rồi ông nói, “Đừng có lo lắng gì cả. Tôi sanh trưởng trong một nhà giàu và tôi cũng giàu có. Tôi có thể lo cho bà giống như là lo cho em gái tôi vậy. Bây giờ em hảy gọi tôi là anh trai và làm bộ níu lấy chân tôi rồi khóc lớn tiếng.”

Khi bà làm vậy, các đệ tử của ông nghe tiếng bèn bước vào trong. Vị đạo trưởng cắt nghĩa cho họ biết bà là em gái của ông đã bị thất lạc từ lâu. Ông bảo những người đệ tử thân tín nhất đem bà lên ngổi trên một cái xe kéo và đem bà về nhà ông. Ông nói với họ là hảy nói cho vợ ông biết rằng đây là em gái của ông, và bà cần phải được chăm sóc chu đáo.

Họ đã làm như ông yêu cầu. Người vợ đã chào đón bà, cho bà đi tắm nước ấm và để bà lên giường nằm nghĩ.

Sau khi đi tắm ở sông xong, vị đạo sĩ đó đi trở về nhà. Vào buổi ăn tối, ông mời cô em gái ra cùng ăn với gia đình. Và sau đó ông mời bà ở lại nhà của ông.

Chỉ vài ngày sau, hoàng hậu đã hạ sanh ra một bé trai rất dễ thương. Bà đặt tên bé là Quả Lành. Bà nói với người đạo sĩ rằng đó là tên của ông nội của cháu, người đã từng là vua của xứ Mithila.

King Fruitful and Queen Sivali

Rebirth of the Bodhisatta (Chapter 1)

Once upon a time in the city of Mithila, there was a king who had two sons. The older one was named Badfruit, and his younger brother was called Poorfruit.

While they were still fairly young, the king made his older son the crown prince. He was second in command and next in line to the throne. Prince Poorfruit became commander of the army.

Eventually the old king died and Prince Badfruit became the new king. Then his brother became crown prince.

Before long, a certain servant took a disliking to Crown Prince Poorfruit. He went to King Badfruit and told a lie - that his brother was planning to kill him. At first the king did not believe him. But after the servant kept repeating the lie, the king became frightened. So he had Prince Poorfruit put in chains and locked up in the palace dungeon.

The prince thought, "I am a righteous man was does not deserve these chains. I never wanted to kill my brother. I wasn’t even angry at him. So now I call on the power of Truth. If what I say is true, may these chains fall off and the dungeon doors be opened!" Miraculously the chains broke in pieces, the door opened, and the prince fled to an outlying village. The people there recognized him. Since they respected him they helped him, and the king was unable to capture him.

Even though he lived in hiding, the crown prince became the master of the entire remote region. In time he raised a large army. He thought, "Although I was not an enemy to my brother at first, I must be an enemy to him now." So he took his army and surrounded the city of Mithila.

He sent a message to king Badfruit - "I was not your enemy, but you have made me so. Therefore I have come to wage war against you. I give you a choice - either give me your crown and kingdom, or come out and fight." Hearing of this, most of the city people went out and joined the prince.

King Badfruit decided to wage war. He would do anything to keep his power. Before going out with his army, he went to say goodbye to his number one queen. She was expecting a baby very soon. He said to her "My love, no one knows who will win this war. Therefore, if I die you must protect the child inside you." Then he bravely went off to war and was quickly killed by the soldiers of his enemy brother.

The news of the king’s death spread through the city. The queen disguised herself as a poor dirty homeless person. She put on old rags for clothes and smeared dirt on herself. She put some of the king’s gold and her own most precious jewelries into a basket. She covered these with dirty rice that no one would want to steal. Then she left the city by the northern gate. Since she had always lived inside the city, the queen had no idea where to go from there. She had heard of a city called Campa. She sat down at the side of the road and began asking if anyone was going to Campa.

It just so happened that the one who was about to be born was no ordinary baby. This was not his first life or his first birth. Millions of years before, he had been a follower of a long-forgotten teaching "Buddha" - a fully "Enlightened One". He had wished with all his heart to become a Buddha just like his beloved master.

He was reborn in many lives - sometimes as poor animals, sometimes as long-living gods and sometimes as human beings. He always tried to learn from his mistakes and develop the "Ten Perfections". This was so he could purify his mind and remove the three root causes of unwholesomeness - the poisons of craving, anger and the delusion of a separate self. By using the perfections, he would someday be able to replace the poisons with the three purities - non-attachment, loving-kindness and wisdom.

This "Great Being" had been a humble follower of the forgotten Buddha. His goal was to gain the same enlightenment of a Buddha - the experience of complete Truth. So people call him "Bodhisatta", which means "Enlightenment Being". No one really knows about the millions of lives lived by this great hero. But many stories have been told - including this one about a pregnant queen who was about to give birth to him. After many more rebirths, he became the Buddha who is remembered and loved in all the world today.

At the time of our story, the Enlightenment Being had already achieved the Ten Perfections. So the glory of his coming birth caused a trembling in all the heaven worlds, including the Heaven of 33 ruled by King Sakka. When he felt the trembling, being a god he knows it was caused by the unborn baby inside the disguised Queen of Mithila. And he knew this must be a being of great merit, so he decided to go and help out.

King Sakka made a covered carriage with a bed in it, and appeared at the roadside in front of the pregnant queen. He looked just like an ordinary old man. He called out, "Does anyone need a ride to Campa?" The homeless queen answered, "I wish to go there, kind sir." "Come with me then,” the old man said.

Since the birth was not far off, the pregnant queen was quite large. She said, "I cannot climb up into your carriage. Simply carry my basket and I will walk behind." The old man, the king of the gods, replied, "Never mind! Never Mind! I am the cleverest driver around. So don’t worry. Just step into my cart!"

Lo and behold, as she lifted her foot, King Sakka magically caused the ground under her to rise up! So she easily stepped down into the carriage. Immediately she knew this must be a god, and fell fast asleep.

Sakka drove the cart until he came to a river. Then he awakened the lady and said, "Wake up, daughter, and bathe in this river. Dress yourself in this fine clothing I have brought you. Then eat a packet of rice." She obeyed him, and then lay downs and slept some more.

In the evening she awoke and saw tall houses and walls. She asked, "What is this city, father?" He said, "This is Campa." King Sakka replied, "I took a short cut. Now that we are at the southern gate of the city, you may safely enter in. I must go on to my own far-off village." So they parted and Sakka disappeared in the distance, returning to his heaven world.

The queen entered the city and sat down at an inn. There happened to be a wise man living in Campa. He recited spells and gave advice to help people who were sick or unfortunate. While on his way to bathe in the river with 500 followers, he saw the beautiful queen from a distance. The great goodness of the unborn one within gave her a soft warm glow, which only the wise man noticed. At once he felt a kind and gentle liking for her, just as if she was his own youngest sister. So he left his followers outside and went into the inn.

He asked her, "Sister, what village are you from?" She replied, "I am the number one queen of King Badfruit of Mithila."

He asked, "Then why did you come here?" "My husband was killed by the army of his brother, Prince Poorfruit," she said. "I was afraid , so I ran away to protect the unborn one within me." The wise man asked, "Do you have any relatives in this city?" She said, "No sir." Then he said, "Don’t worry at all. I was born in a rich family and I myself am rich. I will care for you just as I would for my own young sister. Now you must call me brother and grab hold of my feet and cry out."

When she did this, the followers came inside. The wise man explained to them that she was his long lost youngest sister. He told his closest followers to take her to his home in a covered cart. He told them to tell his wife that this was his sister, who was to be cared for.

They did exactly as he had said. The wife welcomed her, gave her a hot bath, and made her rest in bed.

After bathing in the river the wise man returned home. At dinnertime he asked his sister to join them. After dinner he invited her to stay in his home.

In only a few days the queen gave birth to a wonderful little baby boy. She named him Fruitful. She told the wise man this was the name of the boy’s grandfather, who had one been King of Mithila.

Kurunegoda Piyatissa
(The Jataka stories)

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Bài 1 - Vua Thiện Đại - Sự Kiên Trì

Vua Thiện Đại

[Sự Kiên Trì]

Thủy Tú dịch thuật

Vào một thuở xa xưa ở thành Benares (Ba La Nại) thuộc vùng bắc Ấn Độ, một đấng Giác Ngộ đã sanh ra đời trong hoàng tộc của xứ đó. Khi trở thành vua, ngài được gọi là vua Thiện Đại. Ngài đã có danh hiệu này bởi vì ngài luôn cố gắng làm điều tốt, ngay cả khi kết quả của những hành động đó có thể không có lợi cho ngài.

Tất nhiên là vua Thiện Đại đã thể hiện sự tôn kính những ngày thánh lễ bằng cách không ăn trong những ngày này. Và ngài luôn thực hành “Năm Bước Đường Tu Tập” bằng cách từ bỏ năm hành động bất thiện, đó là sát sinh, trộm cắp, tà dâm, nói láo và say rượu. Vì thế mà lòng từ bi của ngài đã trở thành nhiều hơn và tinh khiết hơn.

Vì không muốn làm hại ai nên Vua Thiện Đại còn từ chối cả việc bỏ tù hay đánh đập những kẻ làm điều sai quấy. Biết thế nên một trong những vị quan đạ thần cao cấp nhất trong triều đã lợi dụng lòng tốt của ngài. Ông ta đã lên kế hoạch để lừa một số phụ nữ trong hậu cung của hoàng gia. Việc này sau đó đã bị mọi người phát giác và tâu lên vua.

Vua cho gọi viên quan đại thần gian xảo lên và nói rằng, “Ta đã điều tra và biết rằng ngươi đã làm việc phạm pháp. Lời đồn về hành động xấu xa đó đã lan truyền ra và ngươi đã làm tổn hại danh dự của chính ngươi ở thành Benares này. Vì vậy tốt hơn là ngươi hảy rời khỏi đây và đi sống ở nơi khác. Ngươi có thể đem theo tài sản và gia đình của mình đi đến nơi nào ưa thích và vui sống ở đó. Hảy học hỏi từ bài học này.”

Thế rồi viên quan đó đã đem gia đình và tất cả tài sản của hắn đi đến sinh sống ở thủ đô của xứ Kosala. Bởi vì ông ta là một người rất thông minh, quỹ quyệt cho nên y đã tìm đủ mọi cách để leo trở lại lên con đường công danh sự nghiệp của mình và trở thành một quan đại thần của vua. Dần dần ông ta trở thành người cố vấn đáng tin cậy nhất của vua xứ Kosala. Một ngày kia ông nói với vua rằng: “Thưa chúa công, tôi đã đến từ Benares. Thành phố Benares giống như là một tổ ong với những con ong không có ngòi chích! Vua đang trị vì ở đó rất là mềm mỏng dịu dàng và yếu ớt.. Chỉ cần một đội quân nhỏ nhoi là ngài có thể dễ dàng chế ngự thành phố và biến nó thành sở hữu của ngài.”

Vua nghi ngờ điều này nên nói rằng: “Ông là quan đại thần của ta nhưng ông nói như là một gián điệp dẫn dụ ta vô cạm bẫy!” Ông ta trả lời: “Không đâu thưa chúa công. Nếu ngài không tin tôi thì hảy gởi những điệp viên giỏi nhất của ngài đến kiểm chứng những gi tôi nói. Tôi không có nói láo. Khi mà những kẻ trộm cướp bị giải đến gặp vua của xứ Benders, ngài ấy đã cho họ tiền, khuyên họ đừng lấy những gì mà không được phép lấy, và rồi thả họ đi.”

Vua quyết định tìm coi điều này có đúng không. Thấ là ông sai vài tên cướp đến tấn công một cái làng xa xôi ở vùng biên giới của thành Benares. Dân làng bắt những tên cướp và giải chúng đến gặp Vua Thện Đại. Ngài hỏi họ: “Tại sao các ngươi muốn làm những việc tội lỗi này?”

Những tên cướp trả lời, “Kính bẩm ngài, chúng tôi là những kẻ nghèo khó. Mà không có cách nào để sống khi không có tiền. Trong khi xứ sở của ngài có đầy dẫy việc làm cho người dân, thì trái lại chúng tôi không có được việc nào để làm cả. Vì thế mà chúng tôi phải đi cướp giật ở xứ này để sống còn.” Nghe thế, nhà vua đã cho họ tiền, khuyên họ thay đổi cách sống và thả họ đi.

Khi vua Kosala nghe kể như vậy, vua sai một băng đảng cướp giật khác đến những đường phố ở ngay tại Benares. Những tên này cũng ăn cướp hàng hóa ở các cửa tiệm và chúng còn giết cả mấy người dân buôn nữa. Khi bọn chúng bị bắt và đem giải đến vua Thiện Đại, ngài cũng đối xử với họ giống như bọn cướp trước.

Khi biết được chuyện này, vua Kosala đã đem quân đội và đoàn voi chiến của ông hành quân đến Benares.

Vào thời gian đó, vua của xứ Benders có một quân đội hùng mạnh trong đó có cả những con voi chiến rất dũng mảnh. Quân lính của họ đa số có tầm vóc trung bình, tuy vậy cũng còn có một số người có vóc dáng to lớn như người khổng lồ. Nghe đồn là họ có khả năng chinh phục hết cả vùng Ấn Độ.

Những người lính to lớn vạm vỡ đó tâu với vua Thiện Đại về việc một cánh quân xâm lược đến từ Kosala. Họ xin vua cho phép đi tấn công và tiêu diệt hết bọn chúng.

Nhưng Vua Thiện Đại đã ngăn không cho họ ra gây chiến. Ngài nói, “Các con của ta, đừng có chiến đấu chỉ vì muốn cho ta còn ngồi trên ngôi vua. Nếu chúng ta hủy hoại mạng sống của người khác thì chúng ta cũng hủy hoại tâm hồn bình an của chính chúng ta. Tại sao chúng ta phải giết người khác? Hảy cho họ vương quốc này nếu họ ham muốn có nó đến thế. Ta không muốn có chiến tranh.

Các quan đại thần đồng lên tiếng, “Tâu Hoàng thượng, chính chúng tôi sẽ ra chiến đấu với họ. Xin ngài đừng lo lắng. Chỉ cần ngài ra lệnh cho chúng tôi.” Nhưng một lần nữa vua đã ngân cản họ.

Trong khi đó, vua của xứ Kosala đã gởi đến ngài lời cảnh báo, yêu cầu ngài từ bỏ ngai vàng hoặc là chiến đấu. Vua Thiện Đại gởi lời đáp từ như sau: “Ta không muốn ông chiến đấu với ta, và ông không muốn ta chiến đấu với ông. Nếu ông muốn đất nước này, ông có thể có nó. Tại sao chúng ta phải giết người chỉ để quyết định tên của vua? Ngay cả việc thay đổi tên của vương quốc này nó có ý nghĩa gì không?”

Nghe vậy, các quan đại thần bước tới khẩn cầu, “Tâu Hoàng thượng, hảy cho chúng tôi đem quân đội hùng mạnh của chúng ta ra chiến đấu. Chúng ta sẽ thắng họ bằng những vũ khí tối tân của chúng ta và bắt tất cả bọn họ. Chúng ta mạnh hơn họ nhiều. Chúng ta không cần phải giết một người nào của họ cả. Và thêm vào đó, nếu chúng ta nhường cho họ kinh thành, kẻ thù chắc chắn sẽ giết hết chúng ta!”

Nhưng Vua Thiện Đại không lay chuyển. Ngài từ chối việc gây tổn thương bất cứ ai. Ngài trả lời, “Cho dù các ông không muốn giết ai, việc giao chiến sẽ làm cho nhiều người bị thương. Tên bay, đạn lạc vô tình có thể làm cho một số khác bị chết. Không ai biết được tương lai – không biết được là những kẻ tấn công chúng ta có giết chúng ta hay không. Nhưng chúng ta biết rõ là những hành động của chúng ta ngay lúc này đây là đúng hay sai. Do đó, ta sẽ không làm hại hoặc khiến cho ai khác làm tổn hại bất cứ sinh linh nào!”

Rồi Vua Thiện Đại ra lệnh mở cổng thành cho những kẻ xâm lược tiến vào. Ngài dẫn các quan đại thần lên tầng cao nhất của hoàng cung và khuyên bảo ho, “Đừng nói gì cả và hảy cố giữ bình tĩnh.”

Vua Kosala tiến vào kinh thành Benares và đã không thấy ai chống lại ông. Thế rồi vua và quân lính của ông đi vào cung điện và lên thẳng tầng lầu cuối. Họ bắt giữ Vua Thiện Đại, một vị vua ngay thẳng và trong sạch. Bọn lính trói tay của vua thua cuộc và tất cả các quan đại thần của ngài.

Rồi họ bị dẫn đến nghĩa trang ở bên ngoài thành phố. Họ bị chôn toàn thân thẳng đứng xuống đất, chỉ chừa lại cái đầu ở trên mặt đất.Nhưng cho dù đất cát đang bị nện xuống chung quanh cổ của ngài, vi Đại Thánh Nhân vẫn không chút giận dữ và yên lặng không nói gì cả.

Sự kỷ luật và phục tùng của các quan đại thần đối với Vua Thiện Đại vững mạnh đến độ không một vị quan nào nói lời chống đối hoặc phỉ báng ai. Nhưng vua Kosala không chút thương hại. Với giọng thô lỗ, ông nói: “Khi đêm xuống, hảy để cho những con sài lang tha hổ làm những gì chúng muốn!”

Và rồi khi màng đêm buông xuống, một bầy sài lang, khuyễn dữ đã mon men đến nghĩa địa. Chúng ngửi thấy cả một mâm cỗ thịt người đang được bày ra cho chúng.

Trông thấy bọn chúng đi đến, Vua Thiện Đại và các quan đại thần cùng nhau la hét ngay lập tức và nhờ vậy đã làm chúng sợ hãi bỏ đi. Chuyện này xảy ra hai lần. Và rồi những con sài lang quỷ quyệt đã nhận ra rằng, “Chắc là bọn người này đã bị chôn ở đây để cho chúng ta giết chết và ăn thịt.” Không còn sợ nữa, bọn chúng lờ qua những tiếng la hét của họ. Con saì lang chúa bước ngay đến trước mặt Vua Thiện Đại.

Vua đưa cổ ra dụ con thú dử ăn. Nhưng trước khi nó có thể cắn ngài, vua liền dùng răng của mình ngoạm ngay cái cằm con sài lang. Không có ý hại nó, Vua Thiện Đại cắn thật chặt làm con sài lang chúa hú lên sợ hãi. Điều này khiến cho những con trong đàn sợ hãi bỏ chạy.

Trong khi đó, con sài lang chúa vùng vẫy qua lại, cố tìm cách thoát khỏi hàm răng rắn chắc của vua loài người. Khi làm như thế, nó đã làm lỏng dần khối đất bít quanh cố và vai của nhà vua. Và rồi Vua Thiện Đại nhả con sài lang đang run sợ, kêu thét đó ra. Ngài đã có thể xoay sở để nới lỏng thân mình khỏi đất cát và ngoi lên trên mặt đất. Xong rồi ngài giải thoát cho các quan đại thần đang run sợ quanh ngài.

Gần đó có một xác chết. Cái xác này vô tình nằm ngay ranh giới của vùng đất cai quản bởi hai con quỷ đang kình chống nhau. Chúng đang tranh cãi về việc phân chia cái xác chết, chúng sỉ vã lẫn nhau theo kiểu của loài yêu tinh.

Rồi một con quỷ nói với con kia, “Tại sao chúng ta cứ phải cải vả thay vì ngồi ăn. Ở đằng kia có Vua Thiện Đại của thành Benares. Ngài ấy nổi tiếng khắp mọi cõi về tính công bình của ngài. Ngài sẽ phân chia cái xác chết này cho chúng ta.

Chúng kéo cái xác đến gặp nhà vua và nhờ ngài chia đều cho chúng. Vua nói, “Này các bạn, tôi rất vui lòng làm việc phân chia này cho các bạn. Nhưng mình mẩy tôi dơ bẩn và dính đầy cát bụi. Tôi phải lau chùi người tôi cho sạch đã.

Hai con yêu tinh bèn dùng phép thuật của họ để đem nước tắm, nước hoa thơm, áo quần cùng những đồ trang sức từ cung điện của vua ở thành Benares đến. Ngài liền tắm rửa, mang y phục và các đồ trang sức vào người.

Các con quỷ đó lại hỏi Vua Thiện Đại coi có cần chúng làm gì nữa không. Vua trả lời là ngài đói bụng. Thế là một lần nữa, những con quỷ đã dùng phép thuật để đem món cơm ngon nhất đựng trong chén bằng vàng và nước uống thơm trong ly vàng từ cung điện của xứ Benders đến.

Khi ngài ăn uống xong, vua Thiện Đại yêu cầu họ mang đến cho ngài thanh kiếm báu của hoàng gia từ dưới gối của vua Kosala, vua này đang ngủ trong cung điện ở Benares. Điều này thật là dễ dàng làm với phép thuật của họ. Rồi vua dùng thanh kiếm cắt xác chết ngay chỗ sống lưng ra làm hai miếng đều nhau. Xong rồi ngài rửa thanh kiếm gia bảo và đeo vào hông.

Hai con quỷ đói sung sướng nuốt chửng phần xác chết đã được chia đều của chúng. Rồi chúng vui vẻ nói với Vua Thiện Đại, “Bây giờ chúng tôi đã no bụng, chúng tôi có thể làm gì thêm cho ngài không?”

Vua trả lời, “Hảy dùng phép thuật của các ông mà đem tôi đến phòng ngủ của tôi trong cung điện, ngay cạnh vua Kosala. Và hảy đem các quan đại thần của tôi trở về nhà họ. Không một lời nói, các con yêu tinh đã làm đúng như vua yêu cầu.

Lúc đó, vua Kosala đang ngủ say xưa trong phòng dành cho vua. Vua Thiện Đại dùng thanh gươm lay khẽ vào bụng ông vua đang say ngủ. Vua Kosala giật mình thức giấc. Dưới ánh đèn mờ ảo ở đầu giường, ông ta kinh sợ khi thấy Vua Thiện Đại với thanh kiếm trong tay đang nghiêng người về phía ông. Ông ta phải duội mắt để biết chắc là mình không gặp ác mông!.

Rồi ông ta hỏi vị vua vĩ đại kia, “Thưa ngài, làm sao mà ngài có thể vô đây khi mà lính của tôi canh gác đầy chung quanh? Ngài đã bị chôn dưới đất đến tận cổ ở ngoài nghĩa địa kia mà. Sao mà ngài lại có thể sạch sẽ, thơm tho, và mặc hoàng bào với trang sức lộng lẫy như vậy?”

Vua Thiện Đại kể cho ông ta nghe chuyện ngài trốn thoát khỏi bọn sài lang như thế nào. Ngài kể về việc hai con yêu tinh đã đến nhờ ngài giải quyết tranh chấp của chúng. Và ngài cho biết họ đã trả ơn bằng cách dùng phép thuật để giúp đỡ ngài.

Nghe xong, vua Kosala cảm thấy rất hổ thẹn. Ông cúi đầu chào Vua Thiện Đại và than khóc: “Ô này vị vua vĩ đại, ngay cả những con yêu tinh đần độn và hung dữ, sinh sống bằng cách ăn thịt và uống máu người chết, mà còn nhận ra tấm lòng từ bi cao cả cùa ngài. Vậy mà tôi đây, một kẻ được may mắn sinh ra làm một con người khôn ngoan và văn minh, lại quá ngu ngốc không nhìn thấy lòng nhân từ thật là hoàn hảo của ngài.”

“Tôi xin hứa là sẽ không bao giờ nghĩ đến việc chống lại ngài, hỡi vị chúa công đáng kính. Ngài đã có được một cái tâm từ bi, tràn đầy thương yêu và không làm tổn hại một ai thật là tuyệt vời. Và tôi xin hứa là sẽ phục tùng ngài mãi mãi, như là một chư hầu thân tín nhất. Xin hảy tha thứ cho tôi, thưa Hoàng thượng.” Và rồi, giống như là một người hầu cận, vua Kosala đặt vua Thiện Đại nằm lên chiếc giường dành cho vua trong khi ông ta thì nằm trên một chiếc ghế bành nhỏ.

Sáng hôm sau, vua của xứ Kosala triệu tập tất cả binh lính của ông đến trước cung đình. Ở đó, ông công khai ca ngợi vua của xứ Benares và một lần nữa cầu xin ngài tha thứ cho ông. Ông giao trả vương quốc lại cho vua Thiện Đại và hứa là ông sẽ mãi mãi bảo vệ vị vua này. Rồi ông trừng phạt người cố vấn của ông, viên quan phạm tội xúi dục đó. Sau đó, vua Kosala đã cùng tất cả quân đội và đàn voi chiến quay trở về xứ sở của họ.

Vua Thiện Đại ngồi oai nghiêm trên chiếc ngai vàng có bốn chân được trạm trổ như chân nai, và được che nắng bởi một chiếc lọng hoàng gia màu trắng tinh khiết. Ngài đã ban huấn từ như sau: “Này dân chúng của thành Benares, sự thanh tịnh được bắt đầu bằng việc từ bỏ hết cả năm điều bất thiện. Phẩm chất cao quý nhất của một người tốt, cho dù người đó là vua hoặc dân, chính là tình thương yêu và thông cảm (lòng từ bi và trắc ẫn). Khi người ta được trang bị với những đức tính này thì không ai làm haị ai hết – bất kể vì một lý do gì hoặc với giá nào. Mặc cho mối đe doạ có nguy hiểm đến mức nào, ta phải kiên trì cho đến khi sự vĩ đại của lòng từ bi chiến thắng hết tất cả.”

Trong suốt phần còn lại của triều đại của ngài, dân chúng thành Benares đã sống thanh bình và hạnh phúc. Vua Thiện Đại đã tiếp tục thực hiện các công trình phúc lợi cho người dân. Và rồi sau đó ngài đã từ trần và tái sanh vào kiếp sống mới xứng đáng dành cho ngài.

Ý chính: Từ chối làm hại người khác, trái tim nhân hậu sẽ thắng tất cả.

King Goodness the Great

(Perseverance)

Once upon a time, in Benares in northern India, the Enlightenment Being was born into the royal family. When he became king he was called Goodness the Great. He had earned this title by trying to do good all the time, even when the results might not benefit him. For example, he spent much of the royal treasury on the building and running of six houses of charity. In these houses good and aid were given freely to all the poor and needy who came along, even to unknown travelers. Soon king Goodness the Great became famous for his patience, loving-kindness and compassion. It was said that he loved all beings just like a father loves his young children.

Of course king Goodness observed the holy days by not eating. And naturally he practiced the “Five Training Steps”, giving up the five unwholesome actions. These are: destroying life, taking what is not given, doing wrong in sexual ways, speaking falsely, and losing one’s mind from alcohol. So his gentle kindness became more and more pure.

Since he wished to harm no one, King Goodness the Great even refused to imprison or injure wrongdoers. Knowing this, one of his highest ministers tried to take advantage of him. He cooked up a scheme to cheat some of the women in the royal harem. Afterwards it became known by all and was reported to the king.

He called the bad minister before him and said, “I have investigated and found that you have done a criminal act. Word of it has spread and you have dishonored yourself here in Benares. So it would be better for you to go and live somewhere else. You may take all your wealth and your family. Go wherever you like and live happily there. Learn from this lesson.”

Then the minister took his family and al his belongings to the city of Kosala. Since he was very clever indeed, he worked his way up and became a minister of the king. In time he became the most trusted adviser to the King of Kosala. One day he said, ‘My lord, I came here from Benares. The city of Benares is like a beehive where the bees have no stingers! The ruling king is very tender and weak. With only a very small army you can easily conquer the city and make it yours.’

The king doubted this, so he said, "You are my minister, but you talk like a spy who is leading me into a trap!’ He replied "No my lord. If you don’t believe me, send your best spies to examine what I say. I am not lying. When robbers are brought to the King of Benders, he gives them money, advises them not to take what is not given, and then lets them go free."

The king decided to find out if this was true. So he sent some robbers to raid a remote border village belonging to Benares. The villagers caught the looters and brought them to King Goodness the Great. He asked them, "Why do you want to do this type of crime?"

The robbers answered, "Your worship, we are poor people. There is no way to live without money. As your kingdom has plenty of workers, there is no work for us to do. So we had to loot the country in order to survive." Hearing this, the king gave them gifts of money, advised them to change their ways, and let them go free.

When the King of Kosala was told of this, he sent another gang of bandits to the streets of Benares itself. They too looted the shops and even killed some of the people. When they were captured and brought to king Goodness, he treated them just the same as the first robbers.

Learning of this, the King of Kosala began marching his troops and elephants towards Benares.

In those days the King of Benders had a mighty army which included very brave elephants. There were many ordinary soldiers, and also some that were as big as giants. It was known that they were capable of conquering all India.

The giant soldiers told King Goodness about the small invading army from Kosala. They asked permission to attack and kill them all.

But King Goodness the Great would not send them into battle. He said, "My children, do not fight just so I may remain king. If we destroy the lives of others we also destroy our own peace of mind. Why should we kill others? Let them have the kingdom if they want it so badly. I do not wish to fight."

The royal ministers said, "Our Lord, we will fight them ourselves. Don’t worry yourself. Only give us the order." But again he prevented them.

Meanwhile the King of Kosala sent him a warning, telling him to give up the kingdom or fight. King Goodness the Great sent this reply: "I do not want you to fight with me, and you do not want me to fight with you. If you want the country, you can have it. Why should we kill people just to decide the name of the king? What does it matter even the name of the country itself?"

Hearing this, the ministers came forward and pleaded, "Our Lord, let us go out with our mighty army. We will beat them with our weapons and capture them all. We are much stronger than they are. We would not have to kill any of them. And besides, if we surrender the city, the enemy army would surely kill us all!"

But King Goodness would not be moved. He refused to cause harm to anyone. He replied, "Even if you do not wish to kill, by fighting many will be injured. By accident some may die. No one knows the future - whether our attackers will kill us or not. But we do know whether our present actions are right or wrong. Therefore I will not harm, or cause others to harm, any living being!"

Then King Goodness ordered the city gates be opened up for the invaders. He took his ministers to the top floor of the palace and advised them, "Say nothing and try to remain calm."

The King of Kosala entered the city of Benares and saw that no one was against him. So he and his soldiers entered and went up to the top floor. They capture the innocent King Goodness the Great. The soldiers tied the hands of the defeated king and all of his ministers.

Then they were taken to the cemetery outside the city. They were buried up to their necks, standing straight up, with only their heads above ground. But even while the dirt was being trampled down around his neck, the Great Being remained without anger in his mind and said nothing.

Their discipline and obedience to King Goodness were so great that not a single minister spoke a word against anyone. But the King of Kosala had no mercy. He said roughly, "Come night time, let the jackals do as they please!"

And so it came to pass that, at midnight, a large band of jackals wandered into the cemetery. They could smell a feast of human flesh waiting for them.

Seeing them coming, King Goodness and his ministers shouted all at once and scared the jackals away. Twice more this happened. Then the clever jackals realised, "These men must have been put here for us to kill and eat." No longer afraid, they ignored the shouts. The jackal king walked right up to the face of King Goodness.

The king offered his throat to the beast. But before he could bite into him, the king grabbed the jackal’s chin with his teeth. No harming him, King Goodness gripped him tightly so the jackal king howled in fear. This frightened his followers and they all ran away.

Meanwhile the jackal king thrashed back and forth, trying madly to free himself from the might jaws of the human king. In so doing, he loosened the dirt packed around the king’s neck and shoulders. Then King Goodness released the screaming jackal. He was able to wiggle himself free from the loosened earth and pull himself up onto the ground. Then he freed all his frightened ministers.

Nearby there was a dead body. It just so happened that it was lying on the border of the territories claimed by two rival demons. They were arguing over the division of the body, insulting each other in ways that only demons can.

Then one demon said to the other, "Why should we continue quarrelling instead of eating? Right over there is King Goodness the Great of Benares. H is famous in all worlds for his righteousness. He will divide the dead body for us.

They dragged the body to the king and asked him to divide it between them fairly. He said, ‘My friends, I would be glad to divide this for you. But I am filthy and dirty. I must clean myself first."

The two demons used their magic powers to bring scented water, perfume, clothing, ornaments and flowers from the king’s own palace in Benares. He bathed, perfumed himself, dressed, and covered himself with ornaments and flower garlands.

The demons asked King Goodness if there was anything else they could do. He replied that he was hungry. So, again by their magic powers, the demons brought the most delicious flavoured rice in a golden bowl and perfumed drinking water in a golden cup - also from the royal palace in Benders.

When he was satisfied, king Goodness asked them to bring him the sword of state from the pillow of the King of Kosala, who was sleeping in the palace in Benares. With magic that too was easily done. Then the king used the sword to cut the dead boy into two halves, right down the spine. He washed the sword of state and strapped it to his side.

The hungry demons happily gobbled up the fairly divided dead body. Then they gratefully said to King Goodness, "Now that our bellies are full, is there anything else we can do to please you?"

He replied, "By your magic, set me in my own bedroom in the palace next to the King of Koala. In addition, put all these my ministers back in their homes." Without a word, the demons did exactly as the king had asked.

At that moment the King of Koala was fast asleep in the royal bedchamber. King Goodness the Great gently touched the belly of the sleeping king with the sword of state. The king awoke in great surprise. In the dim lamplight he was frightened to see King Goodness leaning over him with sword in hand. He had to rub his eyes to make sure he was not having a nightmare!"

Then he asked the great king, "My lord how did you come here in spite of all my guards? You were buried up to your neck in the cemetery - how is it you are spotlessly clean, sweet smelling, dressed in your own royal robes, and decorated with fine jewellery and the loveliest flowers?"

King Goodness told him the story of his escape from the band of jackals. He told of the two demons that came to him to settle their quarrel. And he told how they gratefully helped him with their magic powers.

On hearing this, the king of Kasala was overcome by his own shame. He bowed his head to King Goodness the Great and cried, "Oh great king, the stupid ferocious demons, who live by eating the flesh and drinking the blood of dead bodies - they recognised your supreme goodness. But I, who was lucky enough to be born as an intelligent and civilised human being - I have been too foolish to see how wonderful your pure goodness is.

"I promise never again to plot against you, my lord - you who have gained such perfect harmlessness. And I promise to serve you forever as the truest of friends. Please forgive me, great king." Then, as if he were a servant, the King of Kosala laid King Goodness the Great down on the royal bed, while he himself lay on a small couch.

The next day the King of Kosala called all his soldiers into the palace courtyard. There he publicly praised the king of Benares and asked his forgiveness once again. He gave back the kingdom and promised that he would always protect King Goodness. Then he punished his adviser, the criminal minister, and returned to Kosala with all his troops and elephants.

King Goodness the Great was sitting majestically on his golden throne, with its legs like those of a gazelle. He was shaded from the sun by the pure white royal umbrella. He taught his loyal subjects saying, "People of Benares wholesomeness begins with giving up the five unwholesome actions once and for all. The highest qualities of the good person, whether ruler or subject, are loving-kindness and compassion. Filled with these qualities, one cannot harm another - no matter what the reason or the cost. No matter how dangerous the threat, one must persevere until the greatness of the good heart wins in the end."

Throughout the rest of his reign, the people of Benares lived peacefully and happily. King Goodness the Great continued performing wholesome works. Eventually he died and was reborn as he deserved.

The moral is: Refusing to harm others, the good heart wins over all.

Kurunegoda Piyatissa

(The Jataka stories)

Truyện Tiền Thân Đức Phật - Phần II