Page 264 - Mystic Pathways through the Bible

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258 Mystic pathways through the bible
his barn. One cold, wintery night, dark clouds gathered and torrential rains descended. The farmer, seated by the reside, was joyous and content, knowing that he had performed his duty. He had collected the harvest and was inside his house with his wife and family. He thought to himself, “Who could be more deserving and prosperous than I am?”
Suddenly lightning ashed and through the window he saw Buddha seated under a tree for protection. The farmer mistakenly thought he was a simple vagrant. Seeing him, the farmer called out to him with ridicule, saying, “Here is a man who has escaped his duties, and has not done his work in the elds.” He then sang, “Oh rain, come! Oh clouds, bring torrents abundant with thunder and lightning! What have I to be afraid of? I have collected my grains; I am lled with satisfaction.”
When Buddha heard the farmer mocking him, he also laughed and sang, “Oh torrential rain, come! I too have gathered my produce from the eld. But my eld is abundant with the seeds of love, understanding, non-violence, goodness, and contentment. I have watered those seeds and looked after my eld with constant meditation. My harvest is Nirvana (Liberation). I have unending attainment, so why should I be afraid of rain and clouds?”
When the farmer realized that this was a Divine personality, his thinking suddenly changed. He came