O Duelo de Buda e Deva

 

.                      (The Buddha and the Deva)

 The Buddha was one day in the garden of Anathapindika, in the city of Jetavana, when a Deva (spirit of nature) appeared to him in the form of a Brahmin and dressed in snow-white habits, and the following "duel" took place between them:

The Deva:

- What is the sharpest sword?

To which Buddha replied:

- The angry word is the sharpest sword.

- What's the biggest poison?

- Envy is the deadliest poison.

- What is the hottest fire?

- Lust.

- What is the darkest night?

- Ignorance.

- Who gets the biggest reward?

- He who gives without a desire to receive is the one who wins the most.

- Who suffers the greatest loss?

- Whoever receives from another without returning anything is the one who loses the most.

- What is the most impenetrable armor?

-The patience.

- What's the best weapon?

- The wisdom.

- Who is the most dangerous thief?

- An evil thought is the most dangerous thief.

- What is the most precious treasure?

- Virtue.

- Who refuses the best that is offered to him in this world?

-He refuses the best that is offered to him who aspires to immortality.

- What attracts?

- Good attracts.

- What is repugnant?

- Evil is repugnant.

- What is the most terrible pain?

- Misconduct.

- What is the greatest happiness?

- The release.

- What causes ruin in the world?

- Ignorance.

- What destroys friendship?

- Envy and selfishness.

- What is the most acute fever?

- The hate.

-  Who is the best doctor?

- The Buddha.

The Deva then asks his last question:

- What is it that fire does not burn, nor does rust consume, nor does the wind bring down and is capable of rebuilding the whole world?

Buddha replied:

-The benefit of good deeds.

Satisfied with the answers, the Deva, with joined hands, bowed respectfully to the Buddha and disappeared.

😊

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 *from the book "Buddha - The One Who Awakened"  (Martin Claret. References)

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