Jataka Tales 17: Maluta

Maluta Jataka On this occasion，the Buddha while residing at Jetavana, told the story about two members of the monks who joined the Order, when they were of mature years. Tradition mentioned that one was known as Monk Dark and the other was Monk Light. They were forest monks in the Kosala country.

Now one day, Light said to Dark: "Venerable sir, at what time does that known as cold appear?"

"It appears in the dark half of the month." On another day, Dark asked Light: "Venerable sir, at what time does that called cold appear?" And Light replied: "It appears in the light half of the month."

As they could not resolve this problem, it was brought to the Buddha. After respectfully greeting Him, they asked the Buddha: "Venerable Sir, at what time does what is called cold appear?"

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After the Buddha heard the question, He said: "Monks, in bygone days also you asked and I answered this same question; but your previous existences have become the cause of confusion in your minds." And then He told them this story.

Story of the past Once long ago, there lived two friends at the foot of a mountain. One was a lion and the other a tiger. The Bodhisattva was also living in the area as a hermit. One day, a dispute arose between the two friends about the cold. The tiger said it was cold in the dark half of the month; the lion maintained it was in the light half.

As they could not settle the matter, they put it to the Bodhisattva. He spoke thus:" Whenever the wind blows hard its cold. Therefore, it can be in light or in the dark. There both of you are right.”

Thus, the Bodhisattva made peace between the two friends.

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End of story of the past After the Buddha ended this lesson, in support of what He said as to having answered the same question in bygone days, He discoursed on the Four Noble Truths. When the discourse ended, the two elderly monks won the Fruit of the First Path.

The Buddha showed the connection between the two stories and identified the births. He said: "Dark was the tiger in those days, Light was the lion, and I was the recluse who answered the question."

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