This weeks motivational Moral story

The Monk & The Grasshopper

One fine day, whilst out and about, hopping here and there, a little grasshopper happened across a monk who was meditating.

He hopped his way around the motionless monk for some time. He was struck by how calm, still and peaceful the monk appeared but he wasn’t really sure what he was doing.

The grasshopper hopped here and there, back and forth, keeping his eye on the monk and slowly gaining courage to get closer and closer until finally he was almost at the monk’s side. Just at the moment when he was about to hop on his knee and clear his tiny grasshopper throat, the monk opened his eyes and looked down at the grasshopper.

“Hello little grasshopper” the monk said in a warm and friendly manner. “How may I help you? ”

Surprised that the monk knew he was there, the little grasshopper, hopped back a little, and, plucking up all of his little grasshopper courage, he asked his question.

“I have been watching you for some time and would like to know what it is you are doing?”

“Meditation little grasshopper” said the monk “we meditate to calm our wandering minds”.

“Wandering minds, the grasshopper repeated, What do you mean?.

“Our minds can be like that of a little grasshopper that hops from place to place, always moving, never still and calm”

“Oh, said the little grasshopper, trying hard to be still for a moment. “I like that. I would like to try to calm my wandering mind, and my wandering legs, for that matter. Do you think I could learn?”

“Of course, little grasshopper. Its quite simple. We start by getting comfortable, then sitting with crossed legs and our backs straight, we close our eyes”.

The little grasshopper immediately sits down and after spending a little time working out how to cross its little legs, it closes its little eyes.

A few moments pass before the grasshopper opens one eye and looks up at the still and calm monk. “But what now? ” he asks a little impatiently.

The monk chuckles “steady little grasshopper, not so fast. When we close our eyes we watch our breath, Breathing in we are truly aware we are breathing in. Breathing Out we are truly aware we are breathing out”

“OK, that sounds pretty simple”, says the little grasshopper and does as the monk says, making himself comfortable again and crossing his little legs, he slowly closes his eyes and takes a deep in breath.

A few moments pass. “Wait!” shouts the grasshopper “I think it would be better to meditate over there on that lovely grass stalk” and off he hops. He jumps onto the blade of grass and looks around in satisfaction.

“Ok I’m ready now”

The monk and the grasshopper get themselves comfortable again, the monk crosses his legs and the little grasshopper does the same, they both slowly close their eyes and take a deep in breath.

A few more moments pass. “Wait!” Shouts the grasshopper “I think it would be better to meditate over there on that lovely rock” and off he hops. He jumps onto the rock and looks around in satisfaction.

“Ok I’m ready now”

The monk and the grasshopper once again make themselves comfortable the monk crosses his legs and the little grasshopper does the same, they both slowly close their eyes and take a deep in breath.

A few more moments pass. “Wait!” shouts the grasshopper

Author Dhamma Tapasa

Edited by Sophie Mars

Moral of Story

Our minds can be like that of the little grasshopper, always hopping off to here and there following the next big distraction. We meditate to calm our minds, stilling and quietening ourselves to live more in the present moment. When we become present in the moment we start to learn and experience the fundamental truths to that which causes us to suffer

The Two Arguing Tigers.

Two tigers start to get into an argument while out for a walk

The first tiger is adamant that he is right, the second tiger is certain that he is right, both won’t give in and the argument starts to escalate.

Just then, as they round a corner in the road, they meet a friendly meditating monk.

“Ahhh now for sure we will see I am right” says one tiger

“I don’t think so” says the other tiger “we shall see I am right.”

They pay their respects to the monk, before asking their pressing question.

“Monk we have a question for you” states one tiger “we would like you to clarify who is right and who is wrong. where does Heaven and Hell reside? My friend believes that Heaven is above and Hell is below but I disagree and am sure that Hell is above and Heaven is below. Monk please tell us”

The Monk smiles and considers the problem for a moment before replying

“I’m afraid neither of you are correct. Heaven and Hell don’t reside outside of us, either above the clouds or deep within the earth. Heaven and hell reside in each one of our minds. Let me explain. Both of you are angry with each other in this moment and so your minds are filled with a destructive force, this is like a Hell. Only peace and compassion can bring about a Heaven in our minds”

Both the two tigers instantly understand what the monk has explained and drop their stupid argument, apologise to each other and become friends once more.

“And right now, in your mind tigers, is Heaven” said the monk “when we have peace and compassion in our minds we are experiencing Heaven”

Author: Dhamma Tāpasā

Moral of the story

There are said to be 108 defilements or destructive forces of our minds. Anger and hatred are amongst those 108, we must calmly and clearly see for ourselves how each of these 108 destructive forces, harm us and cause only ourselves to suffer. To truly feel this within our own minds and bodies we begin to let go.

Our mind is the one thing that comes with us wherever we go. Most of us seek outside of ourselves for that elusive happiness, I challenge you to look within to find that happiness, peace and compassion that you so richly deserve.

Observe, how you body feels when anger is present, truly see for yourself how tense your body becomes how the stress courses through you. To truly experience anger this way the truth will shine, gradually or instantly you will let go.

Inspirational Short Moral Story

How to catch a Baby Dragon

Almost 6,000 years ago to this very day a challenge was set by a wise and noble king.

“Whoever can catch me a Baby Dragon will inherit my kingdom”

There were many takers to this quest, all would eagerly set out in pursuit but none ever returned.

The king was a wise man and knew it would take someone of exceptional skill to capture a Baby Dragon and only that someone would be worthy of ruling fairly and justly his kingdom.

It has been almost 500 years since the last Dragon was seen on earth, so allow me to enlighten you a little and separate some fact from fiction.

Dragons as we all know are formidable opponents, a mighty flying beast capable of fire breathing and with claws that are sharper than any steal sword we can make.

What, dear reader, you may not realise is a Baby Dragon posses none of the above skill set, and can at first appear vulnerable. However what the Baby Dragon lacks in shear power and destruction they make up for in cunning and deceptive ways.

The Baby Dragon posses an infinite variety of evil tricks to lure their victims in, then they gobble them up, bones and all.

Our story starts, like all good fairy tales do, with our hero and five others who except the kings challenge.

Standing at the palace gates each bid their fairwells and boldly stride onwards to where the dragons reside.

It’s a long and strenuous march over mountains and valleys, through streams and woods until finally they reach there destination. Each of the six are very tired and exhausted, but now must be more aware than ever before.

As they enter the Dragon woods an eeriness descends and each fall silent taking careful steps not to be spotted. As they reach a clearing deep in the forest they spot the Baby Dragons.

The quickest to react spots the most beautiful Baby Dragon and leaps into action, but as they approach they start to notice how wonderful this Baby Dragon really is, more beautiful than any sunrise or sunset they have ever seen, with colours that seem to shimmer and sparkle with ever step. Our wanna be hero becomes so engrossed and mesmerised by this sight, that the Baby Dragon seeing their opportunity gobbles him all up, bones and all.

Our next hero to act is drawn to a Baby Dragon who is gently singing, as they approach the music becomes so soothing and peaceful, a melody so perfect in pitch and tone our hero completely forgets the mission and stands engrossed. Seeing this opportunity the Baby Dragon gobbles them up, bones and all.

The third to act is a little more cautious. Seeing the other two got caught by the sight and sound of the Baby Dragons our hero decides to carefully step pass the singing Dragons and doesn’t even glance upon the most beautiful. Instead they are drawn to one little Baby Dragon who seems harmless enough.

Our hero walks right up to this seemingly harmless Baby Dragon, they pick it up to place it in their rucksack but as they do they are instantly drawn to the feeling of the Baby Dragon’s surprisingly soft and soothing skin, as fluffy as a kitten but at the same time silky and smooth to the touch. Our hero starts to stroke the Baby Dragon as if a pet completely abandoning the idea of the quest. seeing this as an opportunity the Baby Dragon gobbles them up, bones and all.

Our next and fourth hero to approach the Baby Dragons is also cautious and manages to control their desire for the most beautiful and quell their passions for those soothing sounds, they pass unaffected those first devilish Baby Dragons but find themselves suddenly transfixed with a smell so heavenly and intoxicating that it stops them in their tracks. A smell so full of spices from old l, with a fragrance full of depth and character that our hero’s mind is captivated. Seeing the opportunity, the Baby Dragon quickly gobbles them up, bones and all.

Our fifth hero watches as one by one each of the others have succumbed to these Baby Dragons devious ways. They still think they will be safe and so boldly stride through the most beautiful and even the sweetly singing Baby Dragons. The wonderful smells don’t distract them from the quest nor are they caught by the silky soft touch as they brush up against a Baby Dragon. Our fifth hero is starting to see victory when something strange starts to happen, without warning our hero’s mouth waters with a taste so succulent and delicious they are transfixed. Their mind wanders and is caught up in this taste just for a moment but a moment is all that a Baby Dragon needs and seeing the chance they gobble them up, bones and all.

The last one left is our true hero, for they have seen the others fall victim to their overwhelmed senses and understands that one must guard against those passions of sight, those desires for taste, the pursuit of feelings, the want of sound and the intoxicating lust for smell.

Our true hero, guarding those senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and feeling with the six and most important sense, our sense of consciousness, find they are not controlled or manipulated by their desires or passions but see them clearly for what they are Impermanent, forever changing and as we cling and attach bring us suffering. As so they are unaffected by these devilish tricks and simply walk calmly up to one Baby Dragon place it in their rucksack and start making the long way back to the palace.

Author: Dhamma Tāpasā

Moral of the story:

As humans we experience the world around us through our five senses of sight, sound, taste, feeling and smell. No matter what comes our way and fixes itself within our six sense, our consciousness, always starts from one of these five senses.

Each of us has our favourite sense, mine has always been Feeling, I love the feeling of the sun and wind on my skin, the feeling of a hug and the feeling of surfing as examples. I can get so caught up and carried away with a feeling I sometimes too will get eaten by my Baby Dragons, which represents the Anger, loathing, envy and a 108 defilements of mind or any other negative and destructive thoughts associated with attachment to an impermanent, forever changing entity. Suffering will always ensue.

As Monk’s and meditators we practice guarding our senses and staying present in the moment, sometimes a seemingly difficult task. This is why we learn meditation, focusing on our breath, the more we practice the more we learn to stay focused on this present moment, never attaching to our thoughts, feelings, sounds, tastes, sights and smells. We begin to see them for what they truly are impermanent, that which is always forever changing, to attach to these forever changing thoughts and sensations will always bring suffering, something we are all trying to ovoid.

This weeks Moral story

The Poisoned Dice

Once upon a time there was a rich man living in India who was addicted to gambling. He played dice day and night and in the process met with another gambling addict, a man whose mind worked in tricky ways.

While the rich gambler was very honest and above board, the tricky gambler was one of dishonesty. When the tricky gambler won he kept on playing. But when he began to lose he would secretly put one of the dice in his mouth and swallow it, claiming the dice lost and stopped the game.

The rich gambler began to notice this little trick and decided one day to teach his friend a lesson. His plan was simple, he smeared poison on the dice and let it dry so it was invisible then took these to his next game of Dice with his friend.

The day came and the two friends set up the gambling board and started to play. As usual the tricky gambler was happy to win. And win he did with every throw of the dice, as soon as he luck began to change and he started to lose he immediately snuck one of the dice into his mouth, unaware they were coated in poison.

After swallowing the poison dice the trickster instantly fell down sick. The rich gambler, who was basically good at heart and only wanted to teach his friend a lesson, thought, “Enough is enough. Now I must save his life.”

He made a concoction of herbs and spices to cause vomiting. He made his friend swallow it, and he threw up the poison dice. His friend was saved and learnt a valuable lesson.

Moral of story:

Deceiving a friend may be hazardous to your health.

Lying, or deception causes real pain in this world, and a liar is always found out. To create a lie requires vast amounts of effort in keeping it believable, real and who you actually told, this takes valuable energy away from your true purpose of living contently, calmly and at peace.

Weekly Inspirational Short Story

The Wise Old Man & The Precious Stone

A long time ago a wise old man came across a beautiful and very precious stone in a dried up river bed.

He pocketed the stone and continued his walk.

Later that day a robber approached the old man and demanded that he share any food that he may have.

Without hesitation the wise old man goes into his bag to offer his food. As soon as the highway robber catches a glimpse of the beautiful and highly precious stone he instantly demands the old man give him that instead.

Instantly and again without hesitation the wise old man gives the robber the beautiful precious stone with a smile.

Feeling very satisfied with himself the robber makes his way to the nearest city, dreaming of all the wonderful food he can buy, all the fancy clothes he will dress himself in and all the late night parties he will have.

Suddenly the robber realised the old man can give him more, so he turns and returns to where he met the old man.

As soon as the robber reaches the wise old man he gives the beautiful and precious stone back.

“I know the value of this beautiful stone” explained the robber “but I want more, I want the understanding and love you have within your heart to let go of this beautiful precious stone, without hesitation and all with a smile on your face. This gift is more precious than any beautiful stone and I wish to learn and become your student”

Author: Dhamma Tāpasā

Moral:-

To hold a heart filled with love and without fear is humanities greatest achievement, however there are still so many of us wandering lost in a universe that feels harsh and cold. Learning and watching the process of our minds with meditation allows us to see the connectedness between thought and action, gradually over time our unwholesome thoughts and actions are dropped instantly the moment they are recognised and seen for what they truly are.

Start this wonderful practice today, and everyday. Use are free guides found through this website, taught to me from a lineage of Buddhist monks that have trained and practiced this art form for well over 2,000 years. As a Monk I practice daily what I teach and what has been passed down to me directly from other Monks.

Once the realisation that our mind is our only true companion on our journey through life, we find the value in these teaches to be priceless. Never will we place advertisement on this website, all this information was given to me freely and I now only wish to pass my knowledge of practice of meditation, and using a westernised view point to help as many individuals set themselves free.

This website has running cost and I hope you have it in your heart to help, myself, Dhamma Tāpasā and my faithful adopted stray Marley Moo to keep it going.

www.paypal.me/dhammatapasa

We have just celebrated our first birthday as a website and have grown our audience large and wide. I am a real life Monk and have no real internet experience or social media presence out there, we have grown slowly by word of mouth, we are now reaching up to 3,000 people a month, every little helps and will allow us to further grow and inspire more like minded people.

www.paypal.me/dhammatapasa

Weekly Inspirational Moral Story

The Wealthy Land Owner’s Flowers

Once upon a time there lived a wealthy land owner who had a passion for flowers, he was extremely fond of the chrysanthemums flowers and had the whole of his land planted with this wonderful things, he would spend a great amount of time and effort to cultivate and care for them.

In fact, our wealthy land owner paid more attention to the care of his chrysanthemums than he did to his wife and children, Many times his wife and children had been scolded and punished for accidentally breaking off one of the flowering blooms. This created a tense and unhappy household where everyone felt miserable.

On one particular morning when his children were playing as usual, a football accidentally broke more than one flower and our wealthy land owner became furiously enraged. He ordered his child into solitary confinement for a month.

The child became so upset and angry at his father for being so unreasonable that he decided to commit suicide as a punishment to his father.

This tragic news soon spread far and wide and came to a little village where it fell upon the ears of an enlightened Monk. Immediately the monk decided that he should help the wealthy land owner and his son.

Not content with a temporary measure, our Monk had resolved to effect a permanent solution to the landlord and his flowers. One rainy night when the chrysanthemums were in their full bloom, our Monk sneaked into the wealthy land owners garden with a sickle and cut down every single chrysanthemum.

Hearing a strange sound coming from outside the wealthy land owner looked out and saw someone destroying all his flowers. He instantly rushed outside to confront the flower assailant, wielding his sword, he demanded to know what the Monk was doing.

The Monk turned and calmly replied, “Even beautiful flowers become like weeds, eventually they become rank, if they are not cut”

“These flowers have become like weeds in your mind, your very passion for these flowers has blinded you to the truth around you”

Instantly the wealthy land owner realised how wrong he had been. He could see how his passion for his flowers had become all consuming and he could see the destruction it was causing to the life around him, It was like awakening from a dream.

From that time onward, he vowed to follow the Monk’s advice and bring peace to his mind, he was determined never to loose sight or be blinded by his desires to a point where he forgot the true importance of life.

Author: Dhamma Tāpasā

Moral of the story

We all sometimes find we loose sight of what is truly important, our Fears our desires our dreams can become all consuming if we are not carful, while this is fine and healthy in some cases, don’t become like the wealthy land owner and forsake that which is around you.

Inspirational Short Story

Letting Go

Two traveling monks reached a river where they met a young woman waiting to cross.

Scared of the current, the young women asked if one of the monks could carry her across.

One of the monks hesitated, but the other quickly picked her up onto his shoulders, transported her across the water, and put her down on the other bank.

She thanked him and then departed.

As the monks continued on their journey, the other monk become obsessed and preoccupied with his own thoughts. Unable to hold his silence any longer he spoke out.

“Brother, our spiritual training teaches us to avoid any and all contact with women, but you picked that young women up and onto your shoulders then carried her across the river, breaking this most sacred rule”

“Brother,” the second monk calmly replied, “this happened many many miles back, it was I who carried the young women and it was I who placed her down on the other side, over an hour ago. So why, brother, are you still carrying her?

Author: Unknown

Moral of the story

We all can become obsessed with thoughts running around in our minds, letting Go is easy to say but sometimes seems so difficult to do. To master this vital skill for happiness requires practice and training of the mind. Seeing how we naturally Let Go of sense impressions that have no interest in helps us see the skills needed to truly Let Go.

Meditation is about observing or watching the minds function and how each action has an equal an opposite reaction, seeing this dance of consciousness is humanities true purpose to living a fully satisfying life without the need for constantly more!