Page 52 - Martial Science Magazine Aug/2016 #16

and were utterly destroyed. In will be difficult, and there won’t “Very well, my friend,” he said,
contrast, men who clung to be enough grass for the oxen. “please go first.”
the truth not only survived, but Either he or I must go first.”
actually prospered in that same “I will,” said the foolish merchant,
wilderness.” “Look,” he said to the other and he yoked his carts and set
merchant, “the two of us can’t out. After a while he came to
Anathapindika raised his travel together. Would you the outskirts of a wilderness. He
clasped hands to his forehead, rather go first or follow after filled all of his huge water jars
praised the Buddha, and asked me?” with water before setting out
him to tell that story of the past. to cross the sixty yojanas [2] of
The foolish trader thought, desert which lay before him.
“In order to dispel the world’s “There will be many advantages
ignorance and to conquer if I take the lead. I’ll get a road The yakkha who haunted that
suffering,” the Buddha which is not yet cut up. My wilderness had been watching
proclaimed, “I practiced the Ten oxen will have the pick of the the caravan. When it had
Perfections for countless aeons. grass. My men will get the reached the middle, he used
Listen carefully, and I will speak.” choicest wild herbs for curry. his magic power to conjure
The water will be undisturbed. up a lovely carriage drawn by
Having their full attention, the Best of all, I’ll be able to fix my pure white young bulls. With
Buddha made clear, as though own price for bartering my a retinue of a dozen disguised
he were releasing the full moon goods.” Considering all these yakkhas carrying swords and
from behind clouds, what advantages, he said, “I will go shields, he rode along in his
rebirth had concealed from ahead of you, my friend.” carriage like a mighty lord. His
them. hair and clothes were wet, and
The Bodhisatta was pleased to he had a wreath of blue lotuses
Long, long ago, when hear this because he saw many and white water lilies around
Brahmadatta was reigning advantages in following after. his head. His attendants also
in Baranasi, the Bodhisatta He reasoned, “Those carts going were dripping wet and draped
was born into a merchant’s first will level the road where in garlands. Even the bulls’
family and grew up to be a it is rough, and I’ll be able to hooves and carriage wheels
wise trader. At the same time, travel along the road they have were muddy.
in the same city, there was already smoothed. Their oxen
another merchant, a very stupid will graze off the coarse old As the wind was blowing from
fellow, with no common sense grass, and mine will pasture on the front, the merchant was
whatsoever. the sweet young growth which riding at the head of his caravan
One day it so happened that will spring up in its place. My to escape the dust. The yakkha
the two merchants each loaded men will find fresh sweet herbs drew his carriage beside the
five hundred carts with costly for curry where the old ones merchant’s and greeted him
wares of Baranasi and prepared have been picked. Where there kindly. The merchant returned
to leave in the same direction is no water, the first caravan will the greeting and moved his own
at exactly the same time. The have to dig to supply themselves, carriage to one side to allow the
wise merchant thought, “If and we’ll be able to drink at the carts to pass while he and the
this silly young fool travels wells they have dug. Haggling yakkha chatted.
with me and if our thousand over prices is tiring work; he’ll
carts stay together, it will be do the work, and I will be able to “We are on our way from
too much for the road. Finding barter my wares at prices he has Baranasi, sir,” explained the
wood and water for the men already fixed.” merchant. “I see that your men

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