The poisoned arrow, a Buddhist story that will confront you with your self

A great demand of Buddha was to live in the present moment. Therefore, in his teachings we can recognize some of the principles that have given rise to Mindfulness today. But if we look at Buddhist parables, like the poisoned arrow, we discover that we have not gone much further than this great thinker was centuries ago.

One of Buddha’s most famous phrases says: “Do not dwell on the past, do not dream about the future, concentrate your mind on the present moment.” Therefore, it seems appropriate today to emphasize this aspect of Buddhism with the story of the poisoned arrow.

The poisoned arrow

In a collection of texts formed by the Pali Canon, which are attributed to Buddha and called Majjhima Nikaya, we find different stories, including this one about the poisoned arrow. Apparently, Buddha told it to one of his most impatient students. The young man was eager to know answers to his questions about life after death.

So Buddha told him that Once there was a man who had been wounded by a poisoned arrow. Furthermore, when his relatives wanted to find a doctor to help him, he refused.

The mortally wounded man said that Before any doctor tried to help him, he wanted to know who the man who had attacked him was.what caste he belonged to and what was his place of origin. He also wanted to know his height, his strength, the tone of his skin, the type of bow he shot with and whether his bow was made of hemp, silk or bamboo.

Thus, while he continued to want to know if the feathers on the arrow were from a vulture, a peacock, or a falcon, and if the bow was common, curved, or oleander, He died before knowing the answer to any of his questions.

What is the story of the poisoned arrow trying to tell us?

The attitude of a man on his deathbed sounds quite absurd, right? However, taking this extreme case to other life situations, Aren’t there times when we too behave like the wounded warrior?

Maybe unconsciously, but Sometimes we focus excessively on issues that are really inconsequential for fear of facing those that are.. However, the heart of the matter remains unknown, as we immerse ourselves in matters of little relevance at that time.

So with this story Buddha tried to teach his student how intelligence when separating what is important from what is dispensable, For a given moment, it can mean the difference between overcoming a difficulty and being defeated by it.

Focus your attention on what is really valid

It’s not that wandering can’t have its benefits, the problem is when this wandering happens constantly without specific purposes. . That is to say, When you have to solve a problem, sometimes it is better to get straight to the point., leaving the branches for other animal species. Otherwise, we may only make the problem bigger.

Go step by step

In some towns it is said that “eaten olive, thrown bone.” This simple saying comes to say that Once you solve one problem, focus on the next one.. The famous popular saying also comes into question: “he who covers a lot, squeezes little.”

Let the world flow

Also On many occasions we allow too many issues to influence us and roam through our minds. However, perhaps it was better to let it flow. It is possible that in this way we prevent our brain from being filled with unease, anger, sadness or frustration.

Eliminate the unnecessary

We return to popular wisdom, which is often very wise and worth listening to. “It is not the richer who has the most, but the richer who needs the least.” Sometimes we think that to be happy we have to acquire what we lack. However, when you get used to living with the basics and deepen your knowledge, you discover that so much was missing. The love of a loved one is much more valid than any unnecessary, excessive or expensive possession..

Leonardo da Vinci once said that “simplicity is the greatest satisfaction.” The parable of Buddha’s poisoned arrow revolves around the same maxim. Two brilliant minds. There’s not much more to add, right?

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