THE MIRACLE OF INSTRUCTION
A lay-disciple called
Kevaddha, a resident of Nalanda, repeatedly requested the
Buddha to assign a monk for the conversion of the people
of Nalanda by showing miracles. The Buddha firmly refused
the request. He pointed out that there are three kinds of
miracles -
Out of these three, he did not encourage the first two, because they are common even to ordinary magic-workers. It is the miracle of instruction that he sanctioned to his monks because it is peculiar and more convincing. This miracle of instruction he sums up in just three pairs of short injunctions.
The Do's and the Don'ts here, cover the entire range of ethical training in Buddhism leading to the perfection of morality, concentration and wisdom. |