(Photo source: Envato)
There was once a King who loved to eat venison, so he frequently went to the forest to hunt for deer. Because of this, the deer were always living in fear and pain, and could never rest in peace. The Deer King then requested the King not to go into the forest to hunt so as to avoid mass killing but in return, the Deer King would need to send a deer to the palace every day. Although the King agreed to his request and this has helped to save the deer from the danger of massacre, the deer in the forest still constantly lived in extreme pain as they took turns to sacrifice and bid farewell to their companions every day.
One day, a doe that was about to give birth, begged the Deer King if she could delay her death for a few more days, at least until she could give birth to her fawn. Since no other deer were willing to take her place, so the Deer King decided to sacrifice himself in place of the doe. The cook recognised the Deer King and immediately reported to the King. The King then asked the Deer King, "Has your herd been eaten up? Why have you come today?" The Deer King told the King the whole story and even expressed his willingness to sacrifice himself in place of the doe and her unborn fawn.
After hearing the story, the King was deeply moved. He also felt remorseful and ashamed of himself: "The Deer King is virtuous and willing to die for two lives. As a human King, I should extend my compassion to all living beings. These deer that live in my country are also my people. I should not disturb their lives or kill them..."
After the King repented, not only he allowed the Deer King to return to the forest, he also ordered the people of the country not to hunt in the forest. From then on, the King ruled the country with kindness, and his people also followed his benevolence by not killing. As a result, the whole country lived in harmony and peace.
Greed is like a vast ocean wave and desire is like a bottomless abyss. When greed remains unsatisfied, hatred arises. And hatred is like a wildfire that spreads across the prairie and cannot be stopped. Human beings are ignorant and foolish because of our constant desire and hatred, which will eventually lead to disasters in our hearts.
All disasters are caused by the five poisons in the human heart. We must cultivate our mind diligently and not allow greed, hatred, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt to arise in our hearts, which will destroy the harmony between heaven, earth, and the humanity. For those who are troubled at heart, they should confess, repent, and practise spiritual cultivation. To reconcile with the universe, we must purify our minds with sincerity and the wisdom of the Dharma.
Translated by Michelle Lim Cheng Wai
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