Posted by Kyaw Myaing I wish to share with you a story from the Buddhist Pitakas. This story is about reconciliation and I am posting this with the hope that all people from Myanmar, from the leaders to the workers and farmers will get a better understanding of the value of unity. The story goes like this: During the time of Gautama Buddha,there was a river called "Rohini" which ran between the cities of Kapilavatthu and Koliya. This river was the main source of irrigation for the growing of crops. At one time, there was not enough water for the crops and they became dry. The farmers from both cities went to the river to draw water but there was so little water left. There was enough water for drawing water only once. Thus a quarrel arose among the farmers of these two cities. From a small quarrel, the words became more and more heated and eventually, some people started abusing the name of the Sakya clan. Soon the Agriculture minister became involved and thus it was decided that this matter of "water" should be decided in a battle. Thus both sides went forth with their troops and elephants and took positions on each side of the "Rohini". As all this was happening, the Buddha saw with his "Buddha Eye" that there would be a great deal of bloodshed if the two sides went to battle. To prevent this bloodshed among his kinsmen, the Buddha went alone to the battle field and using his supernatural powers sat cross-legged in mid-air positioning himself between the two armies of Sakiyan Princes. Seeing this miracle, all the princes and soldiers laid down their arms and paid homage to the Buddha. When everything became quiet, the Buddha asked the two armies, "O Sakiyan princes, is this water more valuable than your Sakiyan blood." The princes replied, "Our blood is more valuable, O Lord". Then the Buddha gave them a sermon in length on how to live peacefully. He ended the sermon saying, "If your lives are more precious than water, why would you want to give up your priceless lives for the sake of this worthless small amount of water." Source: Buddhavamsa, "The Life of Buddha". From this National Reconciliation Forum, I send out an urgent plea to leaders from both sides to remember this story of the Sakiyan Princes and the waters of the Rohini river. This is the time to put National Unity first and work for National Reconciliation, leaving aside petty differences. This is the time to forget the past and think of the future and take part in nation buidling tasks in harmony and understanding. Regards and metta, Kyaw Myaing
on 10/8/2001, 3:17 pm
Dear Friends,
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