When in the forest one day, the attention of Buddha and His disciples were drawn to a seemingly restless fox. In silence they watched. The fox stood still for a second, then ran into a bush to reappear later, standing still again. Then, making a few circles, it sat down but not for long. Looking agitated, it ran into a cave, then out again, then into the hallow of a tree. Buddha addressed His disciples drawing attention to the animal “suffering” whether standing, sitting or running. The problem however is not due to any of them but its mange. Until the root cause is removed, the jackal will continue to suffer.
For humans, the predicament is the same, we focus on external to eliminate discomfort but none helps as the root cause is wrong views or wrong thinking.
Our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow, our life is the creation of our mind. In order to change the way we feel and act, we need to change our thinking. This fundamental principle preached 2500 years ago and fully endorsed by Science today simply put by Eleanor Rosewelt, “No one can make you inferior without your consent”. Hence, while the problem is in our minds, the solution is in our minds too. The method that systematically and scientifically helps us move from unhappiness to ultimate peace …..
Noble Eight fold Path …… 1) Right understanding 2) Right thinking 3) Right Speech 4) Right Action 5) Right Livelihood 6) Right Effort 7) Right Mindfulness 8)Right Concentration
Telling the story of the fox reminds us of what Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”.
Please do your part to end animal abuse and end it once and all.
