Pv 11The Elephant

– STORIES OF HUNGRY GHOSTS

– THE SERPENT CHAPTER

1.11

BJT 73"At the head goes one traveling by a white elephant, in the middle by a mule-drawn carriage, and at the end a young woman is conveyed by a palanquin while she illuminates all ten directions.

BJT 74You two, on the other hand, hold sledgehammers in your hands, your faces are wet with tears, your bodies are lacerated and torn. What evil did you do when you were human that now you drink one another's blood?"

BJT 75"The one going at the head by the elephant, the four-footed white tusker, was our eldest son. Having offered gifts, he obtained happiness and rejoices.

BJT 76The one in the middle, traveling by the carriage drawn by four skillfully moving mules, was our middle son. Unselfish, a generous giver, he shines brilliantly.

BJT 77And the young woman at the end, conveyed by a palanquin, a wise woman with the innocent eyes of a deer, was our youngest daughter. With half a portion of a meal as her gift, she obtained happiness and rejoices.

BJT 78These ones, formerly with faithful confidence, offered gifts to the ascetics and brahmins; we, on the contrary, were miserly and abusive toward ascetics and brahmins. These ones, having given, wander freely here and there, while we wither away like reeds that have been cast aside."

BJT 79"You beings of thoroughly vile character, what do you eat? Where do you sleep? How do you sustain yourselves? While possessing wealth that was not little, you missed out on happiness, and now you endure suffering."

BJT 80"Having slaughtered one another, we drink pus and blood. We drink much yet are still not satisfied, not content.

BJT 81Indeed, those who now lament are people who did not give; having died, they have become inhabitants of the realm of Yama. Those people, having gained and acquired wealth, neither enjoyed it nor performed meritorious deeds.

BJT 82Those people, falling later into hunger and thirst, become hungry ghosts who are burned for a long time, perpetually scorched. Having performed deeds bearing painful results, they must endure the misery of painful consequences.

BJT 83Because wealth and grain are impermanent, and life in this world is impermanent, having understood that what is impermanent is impermanent, the wise person should build an island of refuge.

BJT 84Those who understand thus are those who comprehend the Dharma. Having listened to the teaching of the Arhats, they are not negligent in giving."

The Story of the Elephant Ghost is the eleventh.