Defilements are like the shadow of the tree
One day, a heretic wanted to provoke the Sangha by challenging Maudgalyayana
to debate with him. The Buddha happened to pass by, and he asked the intentions
of the heretic, who replied:" Buddha! I heard that Maudgalyayana possesses
great transcendental powers and eloquence. I have come specially to learn
from him."
" What do you want to ask him?"
" Buddha! I have heard that many Bikshus have experienced the arisal
of defilements during their cultivation when their methods are in discord
with the Dharma. I think they may be able to find liberation if they come
to learn from us instead."
" The arisal of defilements during cultivation is a normal phenomenon.
A tree will definitely cast a shadow in the sun, but will the shadow remain
if the tree has been felled?" The Buddha replied.
" Buddha! The shadow will surely disappear if the tree is gone!"
" That is right. If the Bikshus practise in accordance with the Dharma,
their defilements will vanish just like the shadow of the tree. It is only
natural for obstacles to develop during the course of cultivation. If the
Bikshus persist in their cultivation and overcome these trials, they can
certainly achieve liberation."
What followed was a discourse for the heretic on the Three Dharma Signs,
Four Noble Truths and the Twelve Links of Dependant Origination. Having
heard these, the mind and wisdom of the heretic was instantly awakened.
He earnestly repented, and abandoned his heretic belief to take refuge with
the Triple Gem in order to become a member of the Sangha.
[ Defilements are like the dense foliage of the trees.
Yet, once the roots of ignorance have been pulled out, the trunk and the
leaves will wither. The primary aim in cultivation is therefore to conquer
basic ignorance, and defilements will accordingly dissipate. In the Twelve
Divisions of the Mahayana Canon, the Buddha favoured the use of analogies
to teach his disciples. This one which compared the shadow of a tree to
defilements, though simple and easy to understand, illustrates the vast
capacity of the Buddha in accomodating others and his non-demanding attitude
towards his followers.]
