Long time ago, deep in the snow mountain, lived a young man named Sessen Doji. In seeking a true law, he practiced Buddhism by himself. His goal was to be able to attain Buddha hood one day so that he could save people from suffering.
One day, a Buddhist god who had been watching Sessen Doji’s behaviour, decided to test how strong his faith was in seeking Buddhism.
There was a wind blowing and Sessen Doji heard a voice saying, “All is changeable, nothing is constant. This is the law of birth and death.”
He was surprised and happy to hear this. Suddenly as he opened his eyes and he saw a hungry demon in front of him.
Sessen Doji asked the demon, “Was it you who said those words? Can you please finish the whole Buddhist verse?”
Replied the demon, “Did you ask me something? I have had nothing to eat for days and I might have mumbled some nonsense. The only thing I want now is FOOD!”
Sessen Doji then asked the demon to name the food he wanted to eat. He promised to give whatever food the demon wanted.
The demon answered that it was human fresh and warm blood that he wanted.
Sessen Doji replied boldly, “The food you want is right here. It’s not necessary to look anywhere else. Since I’m still living, my fresh and blood are still warm. Please teach me the rest of the verse and I will offer you my body in exchange.”
The demon said, “If you will be true to what you say, I will teach you the rest of the verse.”
Placing both hands together, Sessen Doji bowed to the demon out of respect and waited to hear the rest of the verse.
The demon completed the verse, saying, “Extinguishing the sufferings of birth and death, one enters the joy of nirvana.”
Overjoyed at hearing this verse, Sessen Doji recited it over and over again so that he would be able to carry it with him into his next life. He began to inscribe the verse on rocks and cliffs, and on the trees which lined the road side. He wanted other people to read and understand the verse thus enabling them to attain Buddha hood.
To fulfill his promise to the demon, Sessen Doji plunged himself into the demon’s mouth.
Suddenly, Sessen Doji felt himself being caught in mid-air by gentle arms. Looking down, he saw that he had been saved by the Buddhist god.
Actually, the demon was Taishaku, the Buddhist god. He asked Sessen Doji for forgiveness.
Sessen Doji bowed to Taishaku with deep gratitude for being able to learn the Buddhist teaching.
Sessen Doji was reborned as Sakyamuni Buddha.
One day, a Buddhist god who had been watching Sessen Doji’s behaviour, decided to test how strong his faith was in seeking Buddhism.
There was a wind blowing and Sessen Doji heard a voice saying, “All is changeable, nothing is constant. This is the law of birth and death.”
He was surprised and happy to hear this. Suddenly as he opened his eyes and he saw a hungry demon in front of him.
Sessen Doji asked the demon, “Was it you who said those words? Can you please finish the whole Buddhist verse?”
Replied the demon, “Did you ask me something? I have had nothing to eat for days and I might have mumbled some nonsense. The only thing I want now is FOOD!”
Sessen Doji then asked the demon to name the food he wanted to eat. He promised to give whatever food the demon wanted.
The demon answered that it was human fresh and warm blood that he wanted.
Sessen Doji replied boldly, “The food you want is right here. It’s not necessary to look anywhere else. Since I’m still living, my fresh and blood are still warm. Please teach me the rest of the verse and I will offer you my body in exchange.”
The demon said, “If you will be true to what you say, I will teach you the rest of the verse.”
Placing both hands together, Sessen Doji bowed to the demon out of respect and waited to hear the rest of the verse.
The demon completed the verse, saying, “Extinguishing the sufferings of birth and death, one enters the joy of nirvana.”
Overjoyed at hearing this verse, Sessen Doji recited it over and over again so that he would be able to carry it with him into his next life. He began to inscribe the verse on rocks and cliffs, and on the trees which lined the road side. He wanted other people to read and understand the verse thus enabling them to attain Buddha hood.
To fulfill his promise to the demon, Sessen Doji plunged himself into the demon’s mouth.
Suddenly, Sessen Doji felt himself being caught in mid-air by gentle arms. Looking down, he saw that he had been saved by the Buddhist god.
Actually, the demon was Taishaku, the Buddhist god. He asked Sessen Doji for forgiveness.
Sessen Doji bowed to Taishaku with deep gratitude for being able to learn the Buddhist teaching.
Sessen Doji was reborned as Sakyamuni Buddha.
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