The world of Tzu Chi December 2020(Vol.129)

2020 • 12 50 harma Discussing the causes and conditions of animal bones and feeding lice W hen the Buddha was alive, he expounded many sutras. He often used a variety of analogies so that his disciples would understand his admonitions. He would also talk about his past experiences. In one account, there was a practitioner who took delight in the Buddhadharma. He wanted to concentrate on his spiritual practice, so he lived alone in the mountains and sought after a way to save sentient beings. This spiritual practitioner lived alone in the cave for many years, surrounded by weeds and enveloped in fog. After some time, he became infested with fleas. As he tried to sit in meditation, he itched all over, and he started to feel annoyed. Then, he had an idea; he found a piece of wild animal bone and placed it on his body so the fleas and lice would gather on it. After seven days, the fleas and lice all left, allowing the spiritual practitioner to return to his practice in peace. One day, the Buddha took his disciples out to beg for alms. When they arrived at a certain village, a snow storm had closed off the roads so they could not continue forward. Living in the village was a wealthy family who saw that many monastic practitioners had arrived, and they joyfully set up tables to make offerings to them. For the next seven days, because the heavy snow continued to fall, these monastic practitioners could not leave, and the elder of the house joyfully continued to make offerings to them. On the seventh day, the snow was still falling, so the Buddha asked Ananda, “How many days has it been?” Ananda replied, “It’s already the seventh day.” The Buddha said, “Ananda, quickly gather all the bhiksus . We must leave this place.” Ananda said, “The snow outside is still very heavy. It’s still difficult to reach the road. Why not wait until the snow stops, and then go?” The Buddha said, “Do as I say, and quickly gather the bhiksus to leave.” So, Ananda gathered the bhiksus , and once they left the elder’s house, they found a place where they could take shelter from the snow. The Buddha said to Ananda again, “Go ask for alms from that elder.” Ananda followed his instructions and went to the elder’s home. When he got to the home of the elder, the elder coldly CHAPTER 2 - UPHOLD PRECEPTS