Fragrance and malodour
One day, when the Buddha and Ananda came through a market, they stopped
in front of a fishmonger. The Buddha said to Ananda:" Ananda! Go into
the fishmonger's and touch the reed tying the fish."
Nanda did as the Buddha told him, and the Buddha asked:" Ananda! Smell
your hand and see what it is like."
" Buddha! It is a fishy malodour!" Ananda answered after having
smelt his hand.
The Buddha said:" Ananda! Those who acquaint with bad company are like
your smelly hand. Although you have only just touched it for a moment, the
bad smell already sticks. Contamination of the bad is easy to spread."
The Buddha and Ananda went further on and came to an incense shop. The Buddha
said:" Ananda! Go into the shop to beg for an incense pouch!"
When Ananda returned from the shop, the Buddha said:" Ananda! Put down
the incense pouch and smell your hand. What is it like?"
Ananda, having done so, replied happily:" Buddha! My hand has a wonderful
fragrance."
The Buddha discoursed:" Ananda! If people befriend the good and learn
from them,they will be like your hand which has touched the incense pouch,
and their good name will spread after they have acquired virtue. Therefore,
Ananda, you should frequently get together with Sariputra and Maudgalaylyana,
as their virtuous influence on you can help you become virtuous too."
[Good and virtuous friends are like the incense pouch.
Acquainting with them enables you to be affected by their fragrance of virtue.
Bad companions are like the malodour of fish. Befriending them will plunge
you in the same stench of notoriety. Can we not be cautious in making friends?]
