Reading Notes Week 10 Part B: Shedlock. Eastern Stories and Legends

Probable early image of a Bodhisattva, Wikicommons

THE BULL THAT DEMANDED FAIR TREATMENT - There once a very strong bull that was raised with utmost care by a Brahmin. He loved the bull and decided to use the bull to make some money. The Brahmin bet against another farmer that he could pull an enormous amount of weight. The bull was capable of pulling the weight as later revealed, but failed to move due to the fact that the Brahmin called the bull a wretch. The Brahmin learned his lesson in the end and treated the bull with care and love and was rewarded money.

THE BULL THAT PROVED HIS GRATITUDE - Bodisat was born as bull that was very strong like in the first story. He lived with an older woman that raised him as a child. Bodisat felt guilt as he got older as the old woman was poor and still treated him with intense care. Bodisat decides to work for  a merchant that comes into town. He offers to drag carts up a hill at a rate determined by the merchant. The merchant ties bags of money around the bulls neck, but Bodisat realizes that this is not the rate at which they agreed upon. Bodisat blocks the carts till he is payed the full amount. Bodisat once receiving full payment heads straight back to the old women to give her the money that he had received. They both grow older and die at the same time in happiness.

THE HORSE THAT HELD OUT TO THE END - This story has Buddha reincarnated into a horse. He is a very well taken care of horse that is fed meals worth thousands of pieces on gold. He eventually needed in war and agrees to help to capture the seven kings that want to wage war on his kingdom. The knight and horse are successful in capturing six of the seven kings when the horse takes a wound. The knight does not want to risk the life of the horse and starts to gear up another horse for fighting. Buddha states that only he can capture the last king, and the knight heeds him. They go out and capture the last king. After returning the horse dies after his armor is taken off. The horse is given an honorable burial.

THE MONKEY THAT SAVED THE HERD - In this story Buddha is reincarnated as the monkey king. He must deal with ogres that are guarding water that is making all the food and water poisoned. Buddha gathers 80,000 monkeys and with canes from lotuses they all drink from the water and lift the curse through the help of gods.

THE MALLARD THAT ASKED FOR TOO MUCH - Buddha is reincarnated as a Brahmin and marries and has three daughters. Buddha eventually passes away but is reincarnated as a golden mallard. He flies to the house to visit his daughters and wife and gives them golden feathers one by one so they can live comfortably. The mother gets greedy and picks all his feathers off for fear he will not return. The feathers turn from gold to normal feathers and are worthless. Buddha flies off and does not return.

THE MERCHANT WHO OVERCAME ALL OBSTACLES - Buddha to be was a merchant out in the desert with a band of other merchants and their respective carts and oxen. They get out far into the desert and start to run out of water. They become desperate for water and start to fear that they may perish. They start to dig straight down beneath a palm tree in hopes that they may strike water.
They dig deep but eventually hit a rock. They all become disheartened, but Buddha is determined and pleads to just go past the rock. They strike and break the rock and water is quick to fill the hole. They merchants and oxen all get their fill of water and food. They make it to their destination and make tremendous profits and live a happy life.

THE ELEPHANT THAT WAS HONORED IN OLD AGE - Buddha is a minister under a king. In this kingdom there is a she-elephant that has served the kingdom in delivering messages, fighting in battle, and carrying weapons. The she-elephant served into her old age until she was unable to serve anymore. She started to roam the forest and live her life out grazing. One day a potter enters the kingdom but needs more help pulling the carts that contain clay. The king offers the she-elephant to help pull the cart. The she-elephant is disheartened by this, because she felt it was unjust and speaks with Buddha. Buddha hears her pleads and agrees. Buddha talks to the king and states what he is doing is wrong. The king eventually agrees and decides to let the she-elephant live the rest of her life as she pleases.

THE FAITHFUL FRIEND - Bodisat is a minister to a king and is put in charge of figuring out why the elephant is not eating. Bodisat notices that the elephant is missing a friend, a dog, and that the king must reunite them for the elephant to be happy. The king sends a message that the dog must be released and the dog is instantly returned to the elephant. The elephant is happy again. Bodisat is praised by the king for being so compassionate.