A popular teaching story in Buddhism is about a powerful, ferocious lion.
This massive creature liked to vary his diet by eating, in turn, one from all the kinds of beasts of the field. One day he made the decision to eat a rabbit. Capturing one, the lion, looking sorrowfully at the small animal said : “ You make a poor meal for me to-day. You’re hardly worth eating and are so small you will hardly satisfy my appetite. Actually, there's very little use in eating you. ”
The rabbit answered: “ Do please condescend to eat me; I have just had a narrow escape from being eaten by an animal as fierce as you."
Angered at the invasion of his territory by another fierce creature, the lion demanded, “Where is this animal which is as mighty as myself. Take me to it ! ” The rabbit led the lion away to a well, and told him to look down. Peering down into the water, the large creature saw another lion. Not realizing that it was merely it's own reflection, the lion, raised its mane, roared loudly and showed its teeth. Then the lion leaped into the well to fight his rival and drowned.
This story is a lesson about the importance of developing powers of the mind. When the mind is focused, as it was for the small rabbit, one can overcome and deal effectively with a seemingly more powerful adversary.
This massive creature liked to vary his diet by eating, in turn, one from all the kinds of beasts of the field. One day he made the decision to eat a rabbit. Capturing one, the lion, looking sorrowfully at the small animal said : “ You make a poor meal for me to-day. You’re hardly worth eating and are so small you will hardly satisfy my appetite. Actually, there's very little use in eating you. ”
The rabbit answered: “ Do please condescend to eat me; I have just had a narrow escape from being eaten by an animal as fierce as you."
Angered at the invasion of his territory by another fierce creature, the lion demanded, “Where is this animal which is as mighty as myself. Take me to it ! ” The rabbit led the lion away to a well, and told him to look down. Peering down into the water, the large creature saw another lion. Not realizing that it was merely it's own reflection, the lion, raised its mane, roared loudly and showed its teeth. Then the lion leaped into the well to fight his rival and drowned.
This story is a lesson about the importance of developing powers of the mind. When the mind is focused, as it was for the small rabbit, one can overcome and deal effectively with a seemingly more powerful adversary.
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