THE DHAMMAPADA: THE WAY OF THE BUDDHA, VOL. 9-12 The ...

154 THE DHAMMAPADA: THE WAY OF THE BUDDHA, VOL. 9-12
So there was a case in the High Court against him, and in that case his servant confessed that he was the man
who used to hide on the roof. He went and showed the hole and the place where he used to hide, and everything
was discovered. Still, people go on reading those letters believing that Koot Humi wrote them.
When people want to believe, when they are feeling empty, some belief is needed. They cling to anything,
they don’t listen... they don’t listen to their own heart. They just need belief; so anybody is ready to supply it.
Wherever there is demand there is supply. People need fictions, so there are other people clever, cunning people
who go on supplying fictions.
In a Catholic school, little Hans was asked to give an example of a dependent clause.
”Our cat has a litter of ten kittens,” he replied, ”all of which are good Catholics.”
”That’s excellent,” said the teacher. ”You have a good grasp on grammar as well as on our religion.”
The following week the bishop visited the school and the teacher called on Hans.
”Our cat has a litter of ten kittens,” said Hans, ”all of which are good sannyasins.”
”That is not what you said a week ago!” snapped the teacher.
”Yes,” replied Hans, ”but my kittens’ eyes are open now.”
Be a little alert, be a little watchful. There are deceiving people all around; you can be easily deceived.
Morrissey, the ventriloquist, was on his way down to a bar for a drink when a big shaggy dog fell in at his side.
They went in, the ventriloquist ordered a scotch, and for a laugh he looked at the dog and said, ”Well, are you
having the usual?”
”No, thanks, I have had enough this morning,” said the dog.
The barman was flabbergasted. He offered fifty dollars for the animal.
”No, sir!” said Morrissey. ”I have had him since he was a pup.”
”I’ll make it a hundred dollars!” said the bartender.
Morrissey shook his head. When the offer went to five hundred dollars the ventriloquist grabbed the money
and headed for the door.
”all right,” he added, ”take good care of him.” And with a last look at the dog, ”Farewell, old pal!” he exclaimed.
”Old pal, my foot!” said the dog. ”After what you have just done I will never speak to another human being
as long as I live!”
Be aware of the cunning people, they are all around. Don’t be exploited. Long enough humanity has been
exploited by the cunning and the clever; it is time to put a full stop to it. Be a little more mature.
If you want to explore inner space, meditate. Listen to what Buddha says: Quieten the mind, reflect, watch,
and all darkness will disappear on its own accord, and you will be full of light.
The fourth question:
Question 4
BELOVED MASTER, YOUR JOKES ARE FAR OUT! EASE UP A LITTLE ON THE PRIESTS. BELOVED
MASTER, I REJOICE WITH EXISTENCE BECAUSE OF YOUR ENLIGHTENMENT! I FEEL GOOD TO
BE HERE, TO BE HOME AFTER YEARS OF SEARCHING.
Deva Chintana, I am sorry if it hurts you. I know.... Deva Chintana has been a nun. She has been courageous.
She dropped out of the monastery and became a sannyasin. And my jokes about the priests must be looking a
little hard to her, naturally. I should have thought of her. I will be more careful in the future, Chintana.
A joke for you:
The pope died... and naturally assumed that he would go to heaven. So, dressed in all his papal finery, he went
striding up towards the Pearly Gates, brushed past Saint Peter, and made straight for the entrance.
”Hey, you! Where are you going?” shouted Saint Peter, and two guardian angels stepped forward to bar the
way.
”Look-a here,” said the pope. ”I am-a da popa and I....”
”Who?”
”Da Popa!!! I am-a da popa of da Catholic-a Church-a and I wanna go to heaven.”
”The pope?” said Saint Peter. ”Never heard of you. We don’t have anyone of that name in our books, do we,
Gabriel? No, sorry sir, you cannot come in.”
”Hey, come on! I am-a da popa! You gotta let me in. Ask-a God da Father he knows me!”
Saint Peter calls God the Father: ”Hey, God, this is Saint Peter gate duty. Sorry to disturb you but there is
a guy here who calls himself the popa and wants to come inside says you know him.”
”Who?” asks God the Father.
”The popa.”
”Who?”