Lzh Mi Bu Pm Np 26Carrying Wool
Pāli / Sanskrit:Eḷakaloma
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EḶAKALOMA SUTTA (Carrying Elephant Hair)
Background
The Eḷakaloma Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition of the Buddha Dharma, specifically in the Niddesa section or the explanations of rules of training. This sutta was recorded to help bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs understand more clearly actions and their results in the daily life of practice.
The content of the sutta concerns the image of an elephant carrying hair, or bearing a heavy load, used as an example to teach about the effects of actions in a positive or negative direction. In the context of the Vinaya Pitaka, this is a method a teacher uses to help disciples immediately understand the effects of practicing or violating the precepts.
This sutta reflects a feature of the Pāli Canon, one of the most ancient collections, closest to the direct teachings of the Buddha. Practical details and examples from nature and life are widely used to clarify the Dharma.
Main Content
The image of the elephant carrying hair refers to a natural law concerning cause and effect (kamma). When an elephant carries loads that are not suited to its strength, it becomes weakened and loses vigor. In the same way, when a practitioner tries to undertake disciplines for which the mind is not yet ready, or violates promises of training, the consequences affect the mind.
Conversely, when the elephant carries what is suited to its strength, it remains healthy and at ease. When practitioners observe the precepts in a balanced way, with a mindful and understanding mind, they attain serenity and clarity of mind.
This sutta states that everything we do, speech, action, and thought, creates corresponding results. This is the Dharma of cause and result (kamma-phala), which the Buddha repeated many times in the Suttas: nothing happens by chance; all things have causes and conditions.
Practical Meaning
The practical meaning of this sutta is very profound. First of all, it teaches us to practice in a balanced way, without extremism.
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