Friday, July 21, 2023

Lazy Man and Pot Of Gold

 Once upon a time, in a land where the sun shone bright and the rivers flowed with a gentle murmur, there lived a man. This man was known far and wide for his laziness. He would spend his days lounging under the shade of a tree, dreaming of a pot of gold that would solve all his problems. He wished for wealth without the toil, a dream that seemed as elusive as a rainbow after a summer shower.


One day, the lazy man decided to seek the wisdom of a sage who lived in a nearby ashram. The sage was known for his profound knowledge and the tales of his guru's mystical powers. The man approached the sage and asked, "O wise one, do you know where I can find a pot of gold?"

The sage, with a twinkle in his eyes, replied, "Indeed, my guru once told me that a pot of gold lies hidden somewhere in this ashram's land. However, I am too old to search for it. The land is strewn with stones, and unless they are removed to reveal the rich black soil beneath, the location of the pot remains a mystery. If you wish, you may try to find it."




The lazy man, seeing an opportunity, asked, "But you are certain it's here, right?" The sage nodded, "Yes, I am sure."

Thinking that removing a few stones was easier than wandering aimlessly in search of gold, the man agreed to the task. He spent the next few days removing stones, revealing the fertile soil underneath. The sage, pleased with the man's effort, suggested digging a few pits to increase the chances of finding the gold.


The lazy man, driven by the promise of gold, dug several pits across the ashram's land. The sage then told him about a legend that the pot of gold is typically found at the end of a rainbow. He showed the man how to create small rainbows by watering the pits early in the morning as the sun began to rise. The sight of tiny rainbows arching over the pits filled the man with joy and anticipation.

The sage then proposed a deal, "If you water these pits every morning and create small rainbows, we might find more than one pot of gold. But remember, you must give me half of the gold we find."

The man agreed and followed the sage's instructions diligently. Soon, the ashram's land was blooming with beautiful flowers and lush vegetable plants. The sage then told the man to sell these in the market, assuring him that he would receive his pot of gold.

The lazy man did as instructed and was amazed at the gold coins he received in exchange for the flowers and vegetables. True to his word, he shared half of his earnings with the sage. In the end, the lazy man found his pot of gold, not in a mystical treasure chest, but in the fruits of his labor. The sage's wisdom had taught him the value of hard work, transforming him from a lazy dreamer into a diligent worker. And so, the man lived happily ever after, rich not just in gold, but in wisdom and contentment.



Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Mouse and Piece Of Cloth

 


Once upon a time, in a bustling little village, there lived a clever and adventurous mouse named Milo. One sunny morning, as Milo scurried through the meadows, he stumbled upon a shiny piece of cloth glistening amidst the flowers. His tiny eyes widened with excitement as he picked it up, realizing it was a beautiful, colorful fabric.


Inspired by his newfound treasure, Milo had a brilliant idea. He thought, "Why not fashion a stylish cap for myself out of this marvelous cloth?" Filled with determination, he scurried his way to the renowned tailor of the village, a wise old mouse named Tobias.

With the piece of cloth held tightly in his paws, Milo approached the tailor's cozy shop. He politely asked Tobias, "Dear tailor, could you possibly make a cap for me using this exquisite fabric?"


Tobias, always eager to help, smiled warmly at the enthusiastic little mouse. "Of course, my friend," he replied. "Leave it to me, and I'll create a magnificent cap just for you."

Overjoyed by the tailor's response, Milo scampered back home, his heart brimming with anticipation for his new cap. He couldn't wait to showcase his style and uniqueness to the entire village.

The next day, Milo returned to Tobias' shop, this time with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. "Dear tailor," he began, "could you make not one, but two caps for me, using this same piece of cloth?"

Tobias chuckled at Milo's request. "Certainly," he said, twirling his whiskers in amusement. "If that's what you desire, I shall create two marvelous caps for you."

Day after day, Milo continued his visits to the tailor, each time asking for an additional cap. The mouse's ambition grew exponentially as he envisioned himself wearing caps of all shapes and sizes. The tailor, ever obliging, never turned him away, skillfully crafting each cap to match Milo's imagination.

Finally, the day arrived when Tobias completed the six caps as requested by Milo. The little mouse eagerly held the caps in his paws, only to find that they were much smaller than he had anticipated. His excitement turned into disappointment, and he gazed up at Tobias, puzzled.


"Dear tailor," Milo exclaimed, "these caps are so small! How will I ever wear them?"

Tobias, with a kind smile, gently explained, "My dear Milo, you see, the size of the caps is determined by the amount of fabric you provided. With just that single piece, it was impossible to create larger caps. I apologize if I couldn't fulfill your expectations. Perhaps a single cap or finding a bigger piece of cloth would have suited you better."

Milo pondered Tobias' words and realized the wisdom they held. He had become so caught up in his desire for more caps that he overlooked the limitations of his resources. Reflecting upon his actions, Milo learned a valuable lesson about contentment and making the most of what one has.

From that day forward, Milo wore one of the smaller caps with pride, appreciating the craftsmanship and the story it carried. He became known throughout the village for his unique fashion sense, reminding everyone that true style comes from within and not merely from material possessions.

And so, the tale of Milo and the six caps served as a gentle reminder to all who heard it, emphasizing the importance of appreciating the present moment and making wise choices within our means. It taught the villagers that it is better to have one well-fitted cap than many that are too small, and that true happiness lies in finding contentment and making the most of what life offers.


Thursday, July 13, 2023

  In a small, forgotten corner of the world, there was a garden. This garden was home to a tiny, fragile tree, barely able to stand on its own. Its leaves were sparse, its branches thin and weak. It was a pitiful sight, but it held a spirit that yearned to reach the sky.

One day, an old gardener, weathered by time and experience, found a sturdy, unattractive stick lying on the garden floor. He saw potential in this discarded piece of wood, just as he saw potential in the struggling tree. With a gentle hand and a hopeful heart, he placed the stick next to the tree, providing it with the support it desperately needed.

As the seasons changed, so did the tree. It grew taller, stronger, its branches reaching out to the sky, its roots digging deeper into the earth. The stick stood by its side, unwavering, as the tree blossomed with beautiful flowers and became a sanctuary for various birds. The once pitiful tree was now a beacon of life and beauty, attracting visitors from all corners of the world.

The tree's fame grew, and soon, consultants - experts in gardening and strategy - were brought in to enhance its beauty. They admired the tree, praised its flowers, and marveled at the birds that called it home. But then, one of them pointed out the old, unattractive stick.

"This stick serves no purpose," he argued. "It's old, it's ugly, it doesn't belong here. We should get rid of it."

The others agreed, praising the consultant for his insight. And so, the stick that had stood by the tree, that had supported it when it was weak, was promptly removed and discarded.

But the old gardener knew better. He knew that the stick had played a crucial role in the tree's growth. He knew that the stick, despite its unattractive appearance, had been a steadfast support for the tree. And he knew that in life, just as in the garden, there are 'old sticks' that support and guide us.

These 'old sticks' may not be beautiful or impressive. They may be overlooked, taken for granted, even discarded. But they are there, providing support, offering guidance, helping us grow. They are the lessons we learn, the experiences we have, the people we meet. They are the challenges we overcome, the mistakes we make, the successes we achieve.

And so, the old gardener took the discarded stick and placed it on a decorated stand at the entrance of the garden. There, it stood as a reminder to all who visited: to appreciate the 'old sticks' in their lives, to honor them, to acknowledge their role in their growth.

For in every life, in every story, in every person or company, there are 'old sticks'. And just as the tree in the garden grew from a fragile sapling to a beacon of life and beauty with the help of an 'old stick', so too can we grow, flourish, and reach our full potential with the help of our 'old sticks'.

क्षान्तिपारमिता -शांतीदेवकृत-Marathi Translation

क्षान्तिपारमिता -शांतीदेवकृत-Marathi Translation   Marathi Translation of 6th Chapter of BodhiSattva by ShnatiDeva produced by Google AI Stu...