The Wandering Ascetic

Post sayings or stories from Buddhist traditions which you find interesting, inspiring or useful. (Your own stories are welcome on DW, but in the Creative Writing or Personal Experience forums rather than here.)
Post Reply
Ngawang Drolma
Founding Member
Posts: 2230
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:44 pm

The Wandering Ascetic

Post by Ngawang Drolma »

Hi all,

This is a Jataka story.

Best,
Laura :)

The Wandering Ascetic

The future Buddha was sitting talking with the disciples when a wandering ascetic came to debate him. As the ascetic approached, the future Buddha asked: "Will you have a drink of Ganges water, fragrant with the scent of the forest?"

The ascetic replied: "What is the Ganges? Is the sand the Ganges? Is the water the Ganges? Is the hither bank the Ganges? Is the further bank the Ganges?"

But the future Buddha said to him: "If you take exception to the water, the sand, the hither bank, the further bank, where can you find any Ganges River?"

The wandering ascetic was confounded and rose up and went away. When he was gone, the future Buddha began teaching the assembly that was seated about. He spoke the following stanzas:

What he sees, he does not wish for,
But something that he does not see;
I think that he will wander long,
And what he wishes, not obtain.

He is not pleased with what he gets;
No sooner gained, it meets his scorn.
Insatiable are all wishes!
Those who are wish-free, therefore, we adore!

source
Post Reply

Return to “Dharma Stories”