Suffering in the world of Hades

This passage is about the Preta lokaya (world of loathsome demons). It is a discussion between Moggallana Thera and a Prethi (Female Evil Spirit).

Theranun Wahanse (Bikkhu)   -You are not wearing any clothes. Your body is disfigured and it stinks.                                                 Full of flies. Who are you?

Prethiya                             -I am a female evil spirit (Pretiya) born in yama lokaya (the world of Hades).       I have commited a lot of sin that’s why I am here today like this. I bring up seven children in the morning another seven in the evening as well. Then I eat all these children myself still I am hungry. My stomach is burning out of hunger. It is fuming out of starvation. I am always in fire. No relief!

Theranuwan Wahanse       - What sins have you commited from your body? What is the reason for                                 you to eat human flesh?

Prethiya                            -    I had two sons. Both were well built yougsters. Therefore with their power                            I tried to control my husband too. He was angry with me & He married another woman who later became pregnant. I wanted to take revenge from her and with that bad thought I destroyed her fetus which was three months old. The womb fell off. Then her mother got angry with me . Her relatives all came. She made me swear. She frightened me. I swore terribly and lied. “If I really contributed to this abortion, I will be punished as a woman who eats her own children”. This is the result of karma and lying. Now I eat human flesh filled with blood.

 

Bliss of Heaven

This passage is about the bliss of heaven. This is exemplified in the discussion between Moggallana Thera and a goddess.

Moggallana Thera -      Dear Goddess, your heaven is full of priceless gems & jewels. Extraordinary! Magnificent! You can perform miracles as you wish. You’re surrounded by other goddess who are dancing, singing, & entertaining. Dear goddess you are powerful now. What did you do in your human birth to achieve all this happiness in heaven? How did you get here? Your body is shining & the light is reflected everywhere.

(The goddess became extremely happy to hear these praises from Moggallana Thera)

Goddess            -                     I was a human daughter in my past life. I followed the dharma preached                                                       by Lord Buddha. I refrained from killing animal. I refrained from                                                 stealing. I refrained for consuming alcohol. I refrained from lying. I                                                 refrained from promiscuity. My heart was clean & clear when I offered                                                 pooja to Lord Buddha. I have done things to others with all my heart.  

                                  Therefore I got all these powers, riches, resources in my present birth as a 

                                  goddess. Those are the merits I collected in my human life.

(Kuddaka Nikaya, Wimana waththu (second Pathibbatha wimanaya)

 

Nalapana Jathakaya

One day a clan of monkeys walked towards a forest to find food and water. Then they saw a lake filled with water and came near that. However, this lake was unfamiliar for them and therefore they wanted to get the permission from the leader. The leader ordered them to wait until he comes. A monkey is generally stubborn animal. They are very impatient, yet they listen to their leader. When you have a good leader you can achieve anything. Then the leader came and carefully checked the new lake. Then he noticed that there are foot prints towards the lake and but they have not returned. He realized that no one has come back again from the lake. He also understood that the lake could be dangerous.

Suddenly, a monster appeared from the lake an invited the leader to drink water from the lake.   These monsters are often dangerous and they take the lives of people. This lake is also a deep risky place to drink water. Therefore the leader started thinking of another way to drink water from the lake than going in to the lake. At this moment he saw a bamboo tree and desired to use a bamboo to drink water from the lake. With his success, other monkeys also followed him and used bamboos to drink water.

The following messages are highlighted through this Jathaka story.

·         To be vigilant and patient always.

·         To be careful when dealing with unfamiliar things.

·         Even though there is a risk involved, be determined to achieve your goals.

·         Use strategies to be safe while saving others as well.

·         To act intelligently and achieve your goal.

·         In society, you have to be careful to associate others without crossing your limits.