The Gambler

The Gambler


Once, a man who's intoxicated with gambling went to see The Buddha.

He had been trying to gain an audience with The Wise One for some time, yet each time, he seems to miss the opportunity somehow.

He has heard much about The Supreme One's psychic abilities, how The Great Teacher is The All-Knowing, Seeing One,

Surely such a One would know the winning numbers to the weekly lottery, he thought

The Buddha knew the man was coming, and his motive.

But, The Buddha, through his Supranormal Divine vision, also knew that the time has come for the man to be enlightened as his past good kamma has ripen.

So, The Great Teacher sat on his seat and patiently awaits the man.

When the man arrived, he dutifully bowed to The Buddha respectfully and sat on one side.

Without wasting time, the man began, "They say you're The All-Knowing One, that you know everything."

"Yes, that's me," said The Buddha.

"So, you would know the numbers to this week's lottery, then?" asked the man.

The Buddha calmly nodded his head.

"Ha! Ha! The Buddha fell into my trap," thought the man, as he challenged The Buddha, "Prove it!"

"Ok!" The Buddha readily agreed.

"It must be my lucky day," thought the man, surprised at how easy and smooth the whole thing went as he quickly took out a pen and paper and stared earnestly at The Buddha with deep concentration and mindfulness.

"I was thinking ........." began The Buddha," instead of me giving you the numbers, why don't I show you how to do it? That way, you don't have to come see me every week and depend on me. You can do it yourself."

"Wow! Actually that's even better. How come I didn't think of that?" thought the man, "No wonder they say He's The Wise One."

"Ya! Ya! Ya! That's an excellent idea!" the man replied enthusiastically, excitedly, thinking of all the money he would win week after week.

So, they did this - The Buddha and the gambler - The Buddha gave the gambler the meditation subject and assured him that within the next 48 hours, he would have knowledge of all the winning numbers to the different lotteries, BUT ONLY if he practise hard enough, ardently.

The man went home happily and practised hard on his meditation subject, as instructed by The Buddha, not caring night and day, disregarding all else.

Sure enough, as promised by The Buddha, during the 48 hours, he was able to see all the winning numbers to the different lotteries.

But not only that .........

He became enlightened.

And he has no want or need to win any lottery anymore,

For the bliss of Nibbana excels all other bliss .........

Including that of winning a lottery.



"The gift of Truth (Dhamma) excels all other gifts,

The Flavour of Truth (Dhamma) excels all other flavours.

The pleasure in Truth (Dhamma) excels all other pleasures;

He who has destroyed craving overcomes ALL sorrows."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 354




"Nibbana - The highest bliss/happiness."

- The Buddha




"Rare is the birth as a human being,

Hard is the life of mortals;

Hard is the hearing of the Sublime Truth (Dhamma),

Rare is the appearance of The Buddha."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 182





"The opportunity to listen to The Dhamma is considered valuable

Both because it is rare and because it yields great benefits.

Hard is the chance to hear the True Dhamma."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 182

The 10 Greatest Blessings


"Not to associate with the foolish, but to associate with the wise; and to honor those who are worthy of honor — this is the greatest blessing.


To reside in a suitable locality, to have done meritorious actions in the past and to set oneself in the right course — this is the greatest blessing.


To have much learning, to be skillful in handicraft, well-trained in discipline, and to be of good speech — this is the greatest blessing.


To support mother and father, to cherish wife and children, and to be engaged in peaceful occupation — this is the greatest blessing.


To be generous in giving, to be righteous in conduct, to help one's relatives, and to be blameless in action — this is the greatest blessing.


To loathe more evil and abstain from it, to refrain from intoxicants, and to be steadfast in virtue — this is the greatest blessing.


To be respectful, humble, contented and grateful; and to listen to the Dhamma on due occasions — this is the greatest blessing.


To be patient and obedient, to associate with (good/worthy) monks and to have religious discussions on due occasions — this is the greatest blessing.


Self-restraint, a holy and chaste life, the perception of the Noble Truths and the realisation of Nibbana — this is the greatest blessing.


A mind unruffled by the vagaries of fortune, from sorrow freed, from defilements cleansed, from fear liberated — this is the greatest blessing.


Those who thus abide, ever remain invincible, in happiness established. These are the greatest blessings."


- http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/narada/wheel014.html#maha

- The Buddha, Maha-mangala Sutta: The Discourse on the Greatest Blessings





The 10 Causes of a man's Downfall


Easily known is the progressive one, easily known he who declines. He who loves Dhamma progresses; he who is averse to it, declines.


The wicked are dear to him, with the virtuous he finds no delight, he prefers the creed of the wicked — this is a cause of one's downfall.


Being fond of sleep, fond of company, indolent, lazy and irritable — this is a cause of one's downfall.


Though being well-to-do, not to support father and mother who are old and past their youth — this is a cause of one's downfall.


To deceive by falsehood a brahman or ascetic or any other mendicant — this is a cause of one's downfall.


To have much wealth and ample gold and food, but to enjoy one's luxuries alone — this is a cause of one's downfall.


To be proud of birth, of wealth or clan, and to despise one's own kinsmen — this is a cause of one's downfall.


To be a rake, a drunkard, a gambler, and to squander all one earns — this is a cause of one's downfall.


Not to be contented with one's own wife, and to be seen with harlots and the wives of others — this is a cause of one's downfall.


Being past one's youth, to take a young wife and to be unable to sleep for jealousy of her — this is a cause of one's downfall.


To place in authority a woman given to drink and squandering, or a man of a like behavior — this is a cause of one's downfall.


To be of noble birth, with vast ambition and of slender means, and to crave for rulership — this is a cause of one's downfall.


Knowing well these causes of downfall in the world, the noble sage endowed with insight shares a happy realm.

- http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/narada/wheel014.html#para

- The Buddha, Parabhava Sutta: The Discourse of a man's Downfall

Mirror Mirror On The Wall ...

Mirror Mirror On The Wall ...


The state of the world reflects the state of the minds of the people.

In "What Do We Expect?" - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/03/what-do-we-expect.html and "Pureland Paradise" - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/04/pureland-paradise.html,

I mentioned that, "If the hearts and minds of the people are pure, The whole world will be pure."

Likewise, a dirty world/environment only reflects the minds of the people - DIRTY.

The same principle/philosophy also applies to a country, a state, a family, an individual.

If the living environment of the people is dirty, it only reflects the minds of the people/inhabitants living there - dirty.

Take an example :

You visit someone's/a friend's room, and it's messy, dirty and untidy.

What does it tell you of the person's character?

Only a messy, dirty, lazy and untidy person who's unappreciative, ungrateful and selfish can 'produce a messy, dirty, untidy room. ( Read "Because" - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/02/because.html )

Likewise, if a house is dirty/untidy, it only means and goes to show that the inhabitants are dirty, untidy, lazy, unappreciative and nonchalant about their living environment.

Of course nowadays the majority of the families have maids (regardless part-time or full-time) and people or someone to clean up after us.

And our house is clean not because we, the people/owners are clean,

But because there're these domestic helpers to ensure and maintain it clean for us.

And it is due to the diligence and hardwork of these cleaners who keeps and maintains the cleanliness and tidiness of the place.

It does not necessarily mean the inhabitants/residents of the house, block, or place, are the ones who keeps and maintains the cleanliness.

More often than not, we merely and only give/issue orders.

In the same way, some countries 'look' and seems very clean.

The question is, "Or is it?"

The real test comes when suppose all the cleaners and the people in the cleaning profession were to stop work for 1 day...2 days...3 days...1 week...2 weeks...3 weeks...1 month...2 months...3 months...1 year.............

What do you think?



"If you can only control your mind,

You will have nothing more to control.

So guard your mind."

- The Buddha




"The mind is difficult to control,

Swiftly and lightly it moves and lands wherever it pleases.

It is good to tame the mind,

For a well-tamed mind brings Happiness."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 35




"The mind is very difficult to perceive,

Very delicate and subtle.

It moves and lands wherever it pleases.

The wise one should guard his mind,

For a guarded mind brings Happiness."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 36




"Whatever harm a foe may do to a foe,

Or a hater to a hater.

Yet an ill-directed mind can do oneself far greater harm."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 42




"There is no fire like lust/greed,

No evil like anger and hatred;

There is no ill like the burden of the 5 aggregates of existence,

And, there is no bliss like the Perfect Peace of Nibbana."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 202

Downfall of Families

Downfall of Families


"Headman, recollecting back over 91 aeons, I do NOT know any family to have been brought to downfall through the giving of cooked alms.

On the contrary:

Whatever families are rich — with much wealth, many possessions, a great deal of money, a great many accoutrements of wealth, a great many commodities —

ALL have become so from Giving, from Truth, from Restraint.


"Headman, there are Eight causes, Eight reasons for the downfall of families.

Families go to their downfall because of kings,

Or families go to their downfall because of thieves,

Or families go to their downfall because of fire,

Or families go to their downfall because of floods,

Or their stored-up treasure disappears,

Or their mismanaged undertakings go wrong,

OR, in the family a wastrel is born who squanders, scatters, & shatters its wealth,

And, inconstancy itself is the eighth.

These are the Eight causes, the Eight reasons for the downfall of families.


Now, when these eight causes, these eight reasons are to be found,

If anyone should say of me,

'The Blessed One is practicing for the ruin of families, The Blessed One is practicing for the demise of families, The Blessed One is practicing for the downfall of families' —

Without abandoning that statement, without abandoning that intent, without relinquishing that view —

Then as if he were to be carried off, he would thus be placed in Hell."

- SN 42.9: Kula Sutta — Families

- The Buddha, Samyutta Nikaya 42:9




"In this world, whatever gift or alms a person seeking merit should offer for a year,

All that is NOT worth a single quarter of the reverence towards

The Upright ( i.e. The Noble Sangha - The Noble Ones - Those who have attained at least Sotapanna/Stream Entry )

Which is excellent."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 108




"For one who is in the habit of constantly honouring and respecting the Elders ( i.e. The Arahants ),

4 blessings increase - Age, Beauty, Bliss and Strength."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 109

What Happens To ........ (Part 3) : A Warrior / Soldier

What Happens To ........ (Part 3) : A Warrior / Soldier


"Then Yodhajiva the headman went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side.

As he was sitting there he said to the Blessed One:

"Lord, I have heard that it has been passed down by the ancient teaching lineage of warriors that

'When a warrior strives & exerts himself in battle, if others then strike him down & slay him while he is striving & exerting himself in battle, then with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of devas slain in battle.'

What does the Blessed One have to say about that?"

"Enough, headman, put that aside. Don't ask me that."

A second time...

A third time Yodhajiva the headman said:

"Lord, I have heard that it has been passed down by the ancient teaching lineage of warriors that

'When a warrior strives & exerts himself in battle, if others then strike him down & slay him while he is striving & exerting himself in battle, then with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of devas slain in battle.'

What does the Blessed One have to say about that?"

"Apparently, headman, I haven't been able to get past you by saying, 'Enough, headman, put that aside. Don't ask me that.' So I will simply answer you -

When a warrior strives & exerts himself in battle, his mind is already seized, debased, & misdirected by the thought: 'May these beings be struck down or slaughtered or annihilated or destroyed. May they not exist.'

If others then strike him down & slay him while he is thus striving & exerting himself in battle, then with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the Hell called the Realm of those slain in battle.

But if he holds such a view as this:

'When a warrior strives & exerts himself in battle, if others then strike him down & slay him while he is striving & exerting himself in battle, then with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of devas slain in battle,'

THAT IS HIS WRONG VIEW.

Now, there are two destinations for a person with wrong view, I tell you:

Either Hell or the Animal womb."

When this was said, Yodhajiva the headman sobbed & burst into tears.

The Blessed One said: "That is what I couldn't get past you by saying, 'Enough, headman, put that aside. Don't ask me that.'"

"I'm not crying, Lord, because of what The Blessed One said to me, but simply because I have been deceived, cheated, & fooled for a long time by that ancient teaching lineage of warriors who said: 'When a warrior strives & exerts himself in battle, if others then strike him down & slay him while he is striving & exerting himself in battle, then with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of devas slain in battle.'

- SN 42.3: Yodhajiva Sutta — To Yodhajiva (The Warrior)




"All tremble at the rod ( punishment ),

Life is dear to all.

Comparing others with oneself,

One should neither strike nor cause to strike."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 130




"Searching all directions with your awareness,

You find no one dearer than yourself.

In the same way,

Others are fiercely dear to themselves.

So you shoudn't hurt others

If you love yourself."

- The Buddha, Udana 5:1



*** Read

1) "The Price of Peace" - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2009/02/price-of-peace.html

2) "Rule No. 12 - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/11/rule-no12.html

3) "Why Fight? - http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2007/09/why-fight.html

What Happens To ........ (Part 2) : An Evil-Doer

What Happens To ........ (Part 2) : An Evil-Doer


The various hells are the most painful locations of the level of sensuality.

Among their special torments is the induced anticipation of respite and release - an anticipation repeatedly thwarted.


'Bhikkhus, the fool/evil-doer misbehaving by body, speech and mind, at the break up of the body after death, goes to decrease, is born in hell.

The warders of hell give him the Fivefold Binding :

That is two hot iron spikes are sent through his two palms, and two other hot spikes are sent through his two feet and the fifth hot iron spike is sent through his chest.

On account of this he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings.

Yet he does not die until his demerit finishes.


Next the warders of hell conduct him and Hammer him.

On account of this he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings.

Yet he does not die until his demerit finishes.


Next the warders of hell take him upside down and Cut him with a Knife.

On account of this too he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings.

Yet he does not die until his demerit finishes.


Next the warders of hell yoke him to a cart and make him go to and fro on a ground that is Flaming and Ablaze.

On account of this too he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings.

Yet he does not die until his demerit finishes.


Next the warders of hell make him ascend and descend a rock of Burning Ambers.

On account of this he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings.

Yet he does not die until his demerit finishes.


Next the warders of hell throw him upside down into a boiling, Blazing pot of Molten.

There he is cooked in the molten scum, and he on his own accord dives in, comes up and goes across in the molten pot.

On account of this too he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings.

Yet he does not die until his demerit finishes.


Next the warders of hell throw him to the Great Hell.

The square Great Hell has four gates and is divided in two - Enclosed by iron walls, is closed with an iron lid.

The floor spreads for seven hundred miles,

And it stands there everyday.

A fire springs from the eastern wall of the Great Hell to scorch the western wall.

A fire springs from the western wall to scorch the eastern wall.

A fire springs from the northern wall to scorch the southern wall.

A fire springs from the southern wall to scorch the northern wall.

A fire springs from the bottom to scorch the top and a fire springs from the top to scorch the bottom.

There he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings, yet he does not die until his demerit comes to an end.


Bhikkhus, after the lapse of a very long time, it happens that the eastern door of the Great Hell opens.

Then he runs with great speed, in doing so he burns his outer skin, inner skin, flesh, nerves, and even the bones smoke even if he pulls himself out, it happens.

When he finally gets there, the door slams shut.

There he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings, yet he does not die until his demerit comes to an end.


Bhikkhus, after the lapse of a very long time, it happens that the western door of the Great Hell opens.

Then he runs with great speed, in doing so he burns his outer skin, inner skin, flesh, nerves, and even the bones smoke even if he pulls himself out, it happens.

When he finally gets there, the door slams shut. ( Similarly with the Northern & Southern Gate )

There he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings, yet he does not die until his demerit comes to an end.


Bhikkhus, after the lapse of a very long time, it happens that the eastern door of the Great Hell opens.

Then he runs with great speed, in doing so he burns his outer skin, inner skin, flesh, nerves, and even the bones smoke even if he pulls himself out, it happens.

He escapes through that door.


BUT, parallel and together with the Great Hell is the Hell of Excreta and he falls into that.

In it there are needle mouthed living things, that pierce the outer skin, then the inner skin, after that the flesh, the nerves and even the bones and they eat the bone marrow.

There he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings, yet he does not die until his demerit comes to an end.


Parallel and together with the Hell of Excreta is the Hell where hot ashes rain, he falls into that.

There he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings, yet he does not die until his demerit comes to an end.


Parallel and together with the Hell where hot ashes rain, is the Simbali forest, more than seven miles tall, it has thorns sixteen inches long, aflame and blazing, he climbs on them and goes to and fro on them.

There he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings, yet he does not die until his demerit comes to an end.


Parallel and together with the Simbali forest, is a Forest of Swords. He enters that.

The leaves that fall with the wind, cut his feet, hands, feet and hands, ears, nose, ears and nose.

There he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings, yet he does not die until his demerit comes to an end.


Parallel and together with the forest of swords is a Huge Salt water river. He falls into that.

In it he is carried up stream and down stream.

There he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings, yet he does not die until his demerit comes to an end.


Then the warders of hell pull him out with a hook and ask him.

'Good man, what do you desire?’

He says, 'Sir, I'm hungry.’

The warders of hell open his mouth with hot iron spikes and pour into his mouth burning, Flaming Iron Balls.

They burn his lips, mouth, throat, chest, the intestines, the lower intestines and they come out with the insides.

There he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings, yet he does not die until his demerit comes to an end.


Then the warders ask him.

'Good man, what do you desire?’

He says, 'Sir, I'm thirsty.’

The warders of hell open his mouth with hot iron spikes and pour into his mouth burning, Flaming Molten Copper.

They burn his lips, mouth, throat, chest, the intestines, the lower intestines and they come out with the insides.

There he experiences sharp piercing unpleasant feelings, yet he does not die as long as his evil deed is not exhausted.

Then the warders of Hell throw him back to the Great Hell once more.


In the past to the King of the Under World it occurred thus :

"To those who do evil in the world, these various punishments above are given.

O! If I gain humanity.

O! If the Thus Gone One, perfect and rightfully enlightened is born in the world.

O! I should associate That Blessed One.

O! The Blessed One should teach me and I should know That Teaching."


'Bhikkhus, I say this NOT hearing from another recluse or brahmin or contemplative.

On the contrary, I tell you this just as I have known for myself, seen for myself, penetrated for myself

And so I say it.’

- http://www.mahindarama.com/e-tipitaka/Majjhima-Nikaya/mn-130.htm





"Indeed, by doing wrong to those who should NOT be wronged,

One is sure to suffer MORE for it."

- The Buddha




"Whoever harms a harmless person,

One pure and guiltless,

Upon that very fool the evil recoils,

Like fine dust thrown against the wind."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 125




"Not in the sky, nor in mid-ocean, nor in a mountain cave,

Is found that place on earth

Where abiding,

One may escape from the consequences of one's evil deed."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 127




"Whatever harm a foe may do to a foe,

Or, a hater to a hater,

Yet an ill-directed mind

Can do oneself far greater harm."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 42




"Some are reborn as human beings,

THE WICKED are reborn in WOEFUL states,

The Righteous go to blissful states,

And those who are free from mental defilements pass away into Nibbana."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 126




"He who does harm with weapons to those who are harmless and should NOT be harmed,

Will soon suffer any of these 10 EVIL cosequences.

He will be subject to

- Acute pain,

- Disaster,

- Bodily injury or

- Grievous sickness, or

- Loss of mind, or

- Oppression by the king, or

- Heavy accusation, or

- Loss of relatives, or

- Destruction of wealth, or

- Ravaging fire that will burn his house.

Upon the dissolution of the body, the fool will be reborn in HELL."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 138 - 140




"10 kinds of evil deeds :

- Killing,

- Stealing,

- Sexual misconduct,

- Lying,

- Slandering,

- Harsh speech,

- Vain talk,

- Covetousness,

- Ill-will, and

- False belief."

- The Buddha

What Happens To ........ (Part 1) : A Fool

What Happens To ........ (Part 1) : A Fool

I find the following Teachings by The Buddha extremely important, and especially relevant.

As such, I'm reproducing it here and over the next few weeks to share with everyone.

Hopefully reading it, we can all learn something from it, and be more aware.

Happy reading!


"I heard thus.

At one time The Blessed One lived in the monastery offered by Anathapindika in Jeta's grove in Savatthi. The Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus from there.

'Bhikkhus, these three are the marks, characteristics and attainments of the fool.

What are the three?

The fool has foolish thoughts, foolish words and foolish actions.

If the fool was not with foolish thoughts, words and actions, how are the wise to know this good person is a fool, an unworthy one.

Since the fool thinks, speaks and acts foolishly, the wise knows he is a fool.

The fool experiences unpleasantness and displeasure here and now in three ways.

Bhikkhus, if the fool is with a crowd, in the street corner or a junction, and if the people there were talking some current topic,

And if he destroyed living things, took the not given, misbehaved sexually, told lies and took intoxicating drinks, it occurs to him -

These things the people are talking are evident in me too.

This is the first instance that the fool experiences unpleasantness and displeasure.

Again, bhikkhus, the fool sees an offender taken hold by the king and given various kinds of torture, caned and whipped, flogged with the jungle rope, flogged with the soiled stick, hands severed, legs severed, or both hands and legs severed, ears and nose severed, put in the boiling gruel pot, shell tonsured, put in Rahu's mouth, garlanded with the blazing garland, hands scorched, the bark dress given, put with snakes, putting hooks in the flesh, cutting pieces of flesh from the body, driving a spike from ear to ear, beating to make the body like straw, immersing in the boiling oil, giving to the dogs to be eaten, raising on a spike alive until death, and cutting the neck with the sword;

Bhikkhus, then it occurs to the fool - for the reason of doing evil, this robber, evil doer is punished. If the king gets hold of me, I too will be subjected to these same punishments.

This is the second instance that the fool experiences unpleasantness and displeasure.


Again, bhikkhus, when the fool is relaxed on a chair, on the bed or on a cover on the floor, he thinks of his misbehaviour by body, speech and mind.

At such times they press on him heavily.

Like the shadow of a huge mountain peak, would fall on the earth heavily in the evening.

In the same manner when the fool is relaxed on a chair, on the bed or on a cover on the floor, he thinks of his misbehaviour by body, speech and mind.

At such times they press on him heavily.

Bhikkhus, then it occurs to the fool -

I did not do good and merit. Didn't dispel the fear of the frightened, did evil bloody faults and later I will reap their results.

He grieves, laments, beats his breast and comes to bewilderment of mind.

Bhikkhus, this is the third instance that the fool experiences unpleasantness and displeasure.

Bhikkhus, there are beings that go on their fours and grinding grass dry or wet with their teeth, eat it.

Who are such beings?

They are horses, cattle, donkeys, goats, deer or any other animals that go on their fours and eat grass.

The fool greedy for tastes, do evil things and after death are born in the company of the four footed and eat grass.

Bhikkhus, there are animals that eat excreta.

They run sniffing the smell of excreta, thinking we will eat that and that, like the brahmin that runs for the smell of a sacrifice thinking, "We will eat here! We will eat here!"

In the same manner animals that eat excreta, run sniffing the smell of excreta, thinking we will eat that and that.

Bhikkhus, what are the animals that eat excreta?

They are cocks, pigs, dogs, foxes and any other animals that eat excreta.

The fool greedy for tastes, do evil things and after death are born in the company of the animals that eat excreta.


Bhikkhus, there are crawling things that are born, live and die in the dark. Bhikkhus, what are the crawling things that are born, live and die in the dark?

Beetles, worm maggots, earth worms and similar crawling things are born, live and die in the dark.

Fools greedy for tastes, do evil things and after death are born in the company of those born in the dark.

Bhikkhus, there are things that are born, live and die in the water. Bhikkhus, what are the things that are born, live and die in water?

Fish, turtles, crocodiles and similar beings are born, live and die in water.

Fools greedy for tastes, do evil things and after death are born in the company of those born in water.

Bhikkhus, there are things that are born, live and die in excreta. Bhikkhus, what are the things that are born, live and die in excreta?

Things that are born live and die in rotten fish, in rotten flesh, in rotten bread, in a dirty village pool.

Fools greedy for tastes, do evil things and after death are born in the company of those born, live and die in excreta.

I may explain the unpleasantness of the animal world in various ways, yet it is not easy to explain that unpleasantness completely.

- http://www.mahindarama.com/e-tipitaka/Majjhima-Nikaya/mn-129.htm




"The ignorance with which the fool is obstructed, the craving with which he is conjoined, through which this body results:

That ignorance has not been abandoned by the fool; that craving has not been destroyed.

Why is that?

The fool has NOT practiced the holy life for the right ending of stress.

Therefore, at the break-up of the body, he is headed for a [new] body.

Headed for a body, he is not entirely freed from birth, aging, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, & despair.

I tell you, he is NOT entirely freed from stress & suffering. - SN 12.19

- The Buddha, Samyutta Nikaya 12:19 .

.

"I seek after nothing;

For what is the use of seeking anything when I have everything within myself?

The Fool, however, always make a religion of money.

Thinking nothing of others or of the means by which to obtain that money."

- Venerable Ajahn Mun.

.

"Riches destroys the Foolish,

But NOT those who seek the other shore ( i.e. Nibbana ).

By his craving for riches,

The fool destroys himself as he would destroy others."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 355

.

.

"For the person who is perturbed by evil thoughts;

Who is exceedingly lustful, greedy, covetous;

Who contemplates pleasant, pleasurable things,

Craving increases more and more.

Surely, he makes the bond of Mara - The Evil One, stronger."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 349.

.

"People beset with craving are terrified like a hare caught in a snare;

Held fast by fetter and bonds,

They undergo dukkha ( round of rebirths ) again and again for a long time."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 342

.

.

"The man who gathers flowers ( of sensual pleasure ),

Whose mind is entangled,

Death carries him off

As a great flood sweeps away a sleeping village."

- The Budddha, Dhammapada verse 47.

.

"The Fool, on account of false views,

Scorns the Teachings of The Arahants, The Buddha, The Noble Ones, and The Righteous,

Produces fruits like the bamboo,

Only for self-destruction."

- THe Buddha, Dhammapada verse 164.

.

"That deed is not well done,

When, after having done it,

One regrets,

And when weeping, with tearful face,

One reaps the fruit thereof."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 67.

.

"So, when a fool does wrong deeds,

He does not realise their evil nature;

By his own deeds the fool is tormented,

Like one burnt by fire."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 136.

.

"The skill of a fool can only harm him;

It destroys his merit and his wisdom ( lit. it severes his head )."

- The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 72

The Actor ........ Hell of Laughter

The Actor ........ Hell of Laughter


In relation to my opening entry for this year, "You Say Monkey or Not, lah?!" ( http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2010/01/you-say-monkey-or-not-lah.html ),

I would like to share with everyone a teaching which The Buddha, The Blessed One, gave to Talaputa, the head of an acting troupe, which I find is very interesting.

For those who aspires to be in the limelight, but didn't make it, or quite make it, perhaps after reading this entry, you'll heave a sigh of relief and thank your good kamma instead.

For those who hopes to be in the limelight, perhaps you'll change your mind or think twice after reading this.

And, for those who are (already) in the limelight,

Well ........

What can I say?

Except ........

Good luck to you!

Happy Reading and Enjoy! :)



"On one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Rajagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrel's Sanctuary.

Then Talaputa, the head of an acting troupe, went to the Blessed One and, on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side.

As he was sitting there he said to the Blessed One:

"Lord, I have heard that it has been passed down by the ancient teaching lineage of actors that

'When an actor on the stage, in the midst of a festival, makes people laugh & gives them delight with his imitation of reality, then with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of the laughing devas.'

What does the Blessed One have to say about that?"


"Enough, headman, put that aside. Don't ask me that."


A second time... A third time Talaputa, the head of an acting troupe, said:

"Lord, I have heard that it has been passed down by the ancient teaching lineage of actors that

'When an actor on the stage, in the midst of a festival, makes people laugh & gives them delight with his imitation of reality, then with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of the laughing devas.'

What does the Blessed One have to say about that?"


"Apparently, headman, I haven't been able to get past you by saying,

'Enough, headman, put that aside. Don't ask me that.' So I will simply answer you.

Any beings who are not devoid of passion to begin with, who are bound by the bond of passion, focus with even more passion on things inspiring passion presented by an actor on stage in the midst of a festival;

Any beings who are not devoid of aversion to begin with, who are bound by the bond of aversion, focus with even more aversion on things inspiring aversion presented by an actor on stage in the midst of a festival;

Any beings who are not devoid of delusion to begin with, who are bound by the bond of delusion, focus with even more delusion on things inspiring delusion presented by an actor on stage in the midst of a festival;

Thus the actor — himself intoxicated & heedless, having made others intoxicated & heedless —

With the breakup of the body, after death, is reborn in what is called the Hell of Laughter.

But if he holds such a view as this:

'When an actor on the stage, in the midst of a festival, makes people laugh & gives them delight with his imitation of reality, then with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of the laughing devas,' that is his WRONG VIEW.

Now, there are two destinations for a person with wrong view, I tell you:

Either Hell or the Animal womb."


When this was said, Talaputa, the head of an acting troupe, sobbed & burst into tears.

The Blessed One said: "That is what I couldn't get past you by saying, 'Enough, headman, put that aside. Don't ask me that.'"

"I'm not crying, lord, because of what the Blessed One said to me, but simply because I have been deceived, cheated, & fooled for a long time by that ancient teaching lineage of actors who said: 'When an actor on the stage, in the midst of a festival, makes people laugh & gives them delight with his imitation of reality, then with the breakup of the body, after death, he is reborn in the company of the laughing devas.'

- SN 42.2: Talaputa Sutta — Talaputa the Actor


* Read "Nobody Me" ( http://maitre-light.blogspot.com/2008/08/nobody-me.html )




"Conquered by gains, offerings, and fame, his mind consumed,

He looks down on other well-behaved monks.

That will be for this worthless man's long-term suffering and harm.

That's how cruel gains, offerings, and fame are :

A harsh, bitter obstacle to the attainment of the unexcelled rest from bondage."

- The Buddha, Samyutta Nikaya 17 : 5




"A man who is greedy for fields, land, gold, cattle, horses, servants, employees, women, relatives, many sensual pleasures,

Is overpowered with weakness and trampled by trouble,

For pain invades him as water, a cracked boat."

- The Buddha, Sutta Nipata 4:1




"There is the case where a certain monk is conquered by gains, offerings, and fame, his mind consumed.

He finds no pleasure whether he goes to an empty dwelling, to the foot of a tree, or to the open air.

Wherever he goes, wherever he stands, wherever he sits, wherever he lies down,

He is sunk in misery.

That's how cruel gains, offerings, and fame are :

A harsh, bitter obstacle to the attainment of the unexcelled rest from bondage."

- The Buddha, Samyutta Nikaya 17:8




"O Bhikkhus!

Gains, offerings, glory, praise are all harsh and fierce.

They are a danger preventing the achievement of the highest bliss of liberation - Nibbana."

- The Buddha, Samyutta Nikaya - Labha Sakkara Samyutta




"Fame, fortune, power, glory, praise and recognition are the real evils of the world -

They are truly the evils that will destroy us."




"When there's praise, there will be blame;

When there's fame, there will be ill-fame.

When there's happiness, there will be sorrow;

AND, when there's fortune, misfortune will quickly follow."

- The Buddha



*** Actors do not just mean artises. It also mean those people who act and pretend to be something they're not.