Superiority of Solitude in Early Buddhism: The Rhinoceros Sutta

Is solitary practice superior? We will consider that problem through a look at one of the most powerful and enigmatic early Buddhist poems, the sutta on the rhinoceros. What does it tell us, and who composed it?
📙 Check out my new book, A Handbook of Early Buddhist Wisdom, with a Foreword by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi: books2read.com/buddhisthandbook
🧡 If you find this material useful, check out my Patreon page and get fun benefits like exclusive videos, audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: / dougsseculardharma
🧡 You can also make donations through: paypal.me/dougsdharma
☸️ Free mini-course at the Online Dharma Institute: onlinedharma.org.
🎙Check out my podcast with Jon Aaron, Diggin' the Dharma: digginthedharma.com/
✅ Books mentioned:
Bhikkhu Bodhi (trans.) The Suttanipāta: An Ancient Collection of the Buddha’s Discourses Together with its Commentaries (Wisdom, 2017). amzn.to/45044ou
Richard Salomon, The Buddhist Literature of Ancient Gandhāra (Wisdom, 2018). amzn.to/3Ztne4M
✅ Video mentioned:
The Early Ideal of the "Lone Buddha" or Paccekabuddha - • The Early Ideal of the...
✅ Sutta mentioned:
suttacentral.net/mn122/en/sujato
Webpage: www.dougsdharma.com/
Facebook: / onlinedharmainstitute
Mastodon: mindly.social/@dougsdharma
Instagram: / dougsdharma
Threads: www.threads.net/@dougsdharma
Thumbnail photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
❤️ Thanks to Patreon Patrons:
Anonymous (3)
John Oborne
DunJing
Jimmy Maa
Debbie Mattison Fine Art
Steve H.
Ron Peat
Matthew Smith
Shantha Wengappuli
Karma_CAC
Jorge Seguel
Christopher Apostolof
GailJM
Brett Merritt
David Bell
T Pham
VCR
Upayadhi
Andi and Erik
ATGuerrero686
Michael Scherrer
khobe schofield
Alex Perdomo
Benji Forsyth
Blaze Way
Sonny Flink
Steve Marlor
Joy L Lee
Andrew Tom
Anthony Tucker
Karlee R
Ethan M
Billy in Singapore
Olivia Otter
Carl Lennartson
xiao mao
Jeff Harvey
Andrew Ingrouille
Kenneth Grandchamp
Doug Fonner
Rene Gariepy
Russell Needham
Smoggyrob
Mac Roja
Bernardo
Clémence Ortega Douville
Kwan Alex
Scott Johnston
Richard J Beninger
Nathanael O. Arnquist
SaturnianMandala
Trin P
Letesa Isler
Dorien Izel
Robert Paterson
Jake Tobiason
Louvenia Ortega
Steve S.
Richard Rappuhn
Sarah Kress
John Aaron
Paul Niklewski
Kong Ing Kai
Dave Gorman
rhys reed
Osanda Wijeratne
Billy
Scarlett Farrow
00:00 Intro - viewer question and a poem
02:26 What does the poem say?
04:37 The central tension of Buddhist practice: solitude and community
08:06 Who composed the poem, when, and why?
09:14 Pre-Buddhist origin?
09:59 Buddhist origin?
14:10 Both origins?
Note: as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links where I will earn a very small commission on purchases you make, at no additional cost to you. This goes a tiny way towards defraying the costs of making these videos. Thank you!

[@DougsDharma]

🧡 If you find benefit in my videos, consider supporting the channel by joining us on Patreon and get fun extras like exclusive videos, ad-free audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma 🙂 📙 You can find my book here: books2read.com/buddhisthandbook

[@ace4life395]

Hello.. appreciating your content on Buddhism... My question however is.. did Buddha have a wife or kids?.. did he still live with his wife or kids or generally family sfter achieving enlightenment?..(that's if he had kids)... Please help I've tried to understand this buh never had one.. thank you

[@yogig6271]

One day, Ananda and the Buddha were sitting alone on a hill together, overlooking the plains of the Ganges. Having served as the Buddha’s attendant for many years, Ananda often shared his reflections and insights with him. This afternoon, Ananda spoke. “Dear Respected Teacher,” Ananda said. “It seems to me that half of the spiritual life is good friendship, good companionship, good comradeship.” .. But the Buddha quickly corrected him: “Not so, Ananda! Not so, Ananda!” , “This is the entire spiritual life, Ananda, that is, good friendship, good companionship, good comradeship. When one has a good friend, a good companion, a good comrade, it is to be expected that they will develop and cultivate the noble eightfold path

[@DougsDharma]

Yes, next video!

[@Che_Guna]

Make it a video on this please

[@chriskaplan6109]

As always, balance in all things, time with the sangha and time with oneself. Thanks, Doug.

[@DougsDharma]

So important. 🙏

[@sonamtshering194]

Even in mundane affairs, there comes a time when everyone desires solitude to unwind and relax. Regarding enlightenment, I think Bodhidharma's line that only one in a million attains enlightenment without a teacher fits here. But I feel the fruit of Dharmic practice which is enlightenment is harvested by oneself, no one else can give that to you. In other words, final insight to awakening is achieved by yourself

[@DougsDharma]

🙏

[@xenocrates2559]

Thanks for posting your comments and insights regarding the Rhinoceros Sutta. This Sutta has been an inspiration for me several times and it was good to see it brought forward and discussed.

[@DougsDharma]

My pleasure, yes it's one of my favorites as well.

[@peterhook2258]

Very valuable. I have had leadership periods in my life, very fulfilling however I have also almost completely reversed this in my adult life. I have experienced a craving and calling to experience community again however, this sutta gives a great message. Wander alone unless the correct situation deems community, as proverbs in the Bible says, There is a friend that is closer than a brother (paraphrased according to memory). I especially enjoy the warning that in community you will find "wolves" or wolf like qualities that want to profit themselves of you. This is a very wise message. All things in Love, Truth and Balance. Community or no the teaching and message is very valuable. The desire if for community but not "above" the ability to do good for all..imo.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@dougshaw765]

Thank you dougs dharma for explaining interesting points on the dharma in a clear and helpful way✌️❤

[@DougsDharma]

My pleasure!

[@jonlang8398]

Thanks!

[@DougsDharma]

🙏🙏

[@smlanka4u]

Yes. We need time to attain Jhana/Samadhi (transcendental) states of the mind. Also, we should use only one emotional feeling to still the mind quickly because words are irrelevent during the deep states of the mind. Thanks.

[@tranquil2706]

Ah, in this, my third watched video of yours, I learn that you are not only a clear interpreter of buddhism, but also a learned scholar! Thanks for a great video.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@mikewright3633]

Great stuff 🙏🙏🙏

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@awarenessonly.]

truly looking through buddhas eyes, life is a play, relationships is a drama and society is a circus. Entertainment is best enjoyed without associating yourself with it. That is what it means to be solitary and in solitude like a lotus in lake untouched by water and mud. Strong, independent and alone never caring like a rhino.

[@freetibet1000]

I don’t think it is a matter of either seclusion or companionship. On the path we always want to address whatever is triggering our clinging. Clinging to solitude can become a real obstacle as well. This is a question that have occupied practitioners of many different spiritual traditions throughout all times. I don’t think there’s a straight answer to what is best. Rather, what should be our greatest concern is to discover whatever are our main hindrances and work with them. Maybe loneliness is a major obstacle for us? Or, maybe we are very easily distracted and therefor think we can only meditate in complete silence and non-distracting environments? Or, maybe we have formed the idea that meditation on compassion can only happen in the midst of other people in a worldly context? I believe, as practitioners we need to explore all kinds of different circumstances and learn how our minds functions during very different “stresses”. Not to leave a single stone unturned, sort of speak. As Buddhist practitioners we are leaving the practice of manipulating phenomena and the environment to our liking behind. Instead, we should be immensely interested in how we act and react internally to whatever circumstances that is coming spontaneously our way. Be it in solitude or among fifty thousand others in a football stadium! Another increasingly common scenario for many of us today is to find ourselves in a society that have no idea or vision of Buddha dharma and its goals and meaning. This may indeed create an involuntary solitude that may become a very hard situation to cope with for some of us? Whatever happens in life our trust in the teachings of the Buddha will (must) be sufficiently tested if it is going to have a lasting impact and work as a rekindle of the light of wisdom within us. It is obstacles and experienced sufferings that teaches us new insights. A state of perfect equipoise does not arise out of having arranged the perfect outer circumstances for ourselves. It arises spontaneously in a mind that have thoroughly dismantled all ignorance and wrong views and thereby remains untouched by whatever circumstances it encounters. That is the only true freedom. However, we also have the problem with distractions, preoccupations and worldly obligations to consider as well. Even though our intentions are fairly pure and sincere we may very easily find ourselves drawn into a net of worldly obligations that act as formidable hindrances, if we don’t watch out! Traditionally marriage and keeping a household is held as such an obligation that lead to loss of opportunity for dharma practice. Hence the establishment of an ordained sangha. But we sometimes also read about serious practitioners (monks and nuns) leaving their monasteries to wander the land freely instead. To me this indicates that in many of us there are periods in our lives when we do great progress together with likeminded others. And there are times in our lives when we need to deepen our practice in solitude. In the end the mind of an enlightened being doesn’t rely on any outer conditions, one way or the other. For us still on the path though we need to consider the short lifespan of a human life and how we can make best use of the time we have left. Distractions will never work in our favour, be it in solitude or busily settings. It all comes down to how much uninterrupted awareness we manage to maintain throughout day and night.

[@DougsDharma]

Great points! Thanks for your observations. 🙏😊

[@thoughtfog]

Hi Doug! Hi Sangha! Liam bowing. Master Dogen indicated that the past can not be compared with the present. I think solitude can still be superior right now. Think of how the internet connects us! I believe that actions are what practices are made of. Solitude or not, actions prevail!

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@lelandstronks319]

Thank you Doug, you come up with such wonderful ideas to talk about.☸️👏

[@DougsDharma]

My pleasure, glad you think so! 😊

[@mitrabuddhi]

I love your talks. Thank you Doug! In Buddhism, what matters in the end is the feeling tone or vedana. Solitude has no particular significance except that it enhances the feeling of liberation. Imagine meditating alone at home for a long time, but there is a mountain of problems on your shoulders. In this case, this loneliness will have no effects, but imagine that you have no relatives to take care of, you have no job to be responsible for, and you are walking in the world without being disturbed, and you can go wherever you want and do whatever you want. Just by imagining this you can touch the pleasure of liberation. The goal is to create the vedana of liberation.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@xiaomaozen]

Thanks, Doug! 🦏🙏 Looking forward to the next one... 😊

[@DougsDharma]

Great! 😄

[@fingerprint5511]

Thanks Doug 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@DougsDharma]

Very welcome! 🙏

[@uttambarua9351]

Nicely explained, Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu, Thank you so much.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@UniversalistSon9]

It’s kinda cool to think about how the Quaker movement could be seen as a very early form of western Buddhism because of their beliefs in the inner light, silence and pacifism.

[@DougsDharma]

Well there are definitely parallels between some Quaker practices and those of Buddhism.

[@livewiya]

Good video. The Rhinoceros Sutta is one that has long appealed to me. I'm curious if there's value in unpacking the etymology/potential meaning of the word(s) in the Suttas that are often translated to "delight." My own sense is that our current use of the word delight is generally more passive than what is meant in canonical texts. A word like "revel" seems to be a better fit - which can mean "to take delight in" generally has a more active connotation.

[@DougsDharma]

Revel, delight, relish, I think they all express the same general idea of grasping at the pleasant through enjoyment of it.

[@livewiya]

@@DougsDharma Agreed. Relish is also a good one. I didn't mean to suggest that these translations are in any way inaccurate, just that I've found it useful to take a closer look at English words that, while familiar, I did not precisely understand their meaning(s). Cautiously finding synonyms has proven helpful.

[@oldstudent2587]

In the Mahayana/Tantra strains of Buddhism that I work on/with, there is a pretty big distinction between practice in solitude and the Pratyeka concept. The former is quite common in many Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhisms -- e.g. the Tibetan Buddhists have a practice of meditation in a cave for 3 years, 2nd e.g. Sahajayogini Cinta insists that her methodology requires people to leave the cities and practice in isolation. By contrast, a Pratyeka practitioner in Mahayana is someone who refuses to take the Bodhisattva pledges and concerns themselves with solely their own enlightenment. The sutra as you describe it fits neatly into Mahayana practice as it is.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks for this! A Pratyekabuddha is one not only who practices alone, but who has learned the dharma on their own as well: they aren't part of any Buddhist sangha, and haven't learned from another Buddha even indirectly, and don't teach the dharma to (many) others. But yes, I think this sort of practice should fit with that of many schools, at least in their more rigorous versions. Not sure quite if it fits with the Vinaya requirements about being in sangha though.

[@missmerrily4830]

You can wander alone while still being among people. Anyone who has been on a ten day (or longer) retreat knows this. We are alone but in the company of lots of people. They mostly hold similar views to our own. And don't forget that not even many monks end up as hermits. So maybe that's the ideal. To associate with the wise? For sure, spend some time in solitude but let's not forget that Buddhism is intended to be the 'middle way' and that surely is all about finding the sensible route through the middle of any kind of harsh discomfort. Gravitate towards those who appear to be making sense to you in terms of increasing your knowledge and understanding.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes exactly. My next video will be touching on the other aspect.

[@fireatwill8143]

Great topic Doug! I believe you made a point in an earlier video, which highlited how we are all connected (other people for example harvesting our food, maintaining infrastructure etc). If someone has the means and desire to be a rhino, then I suppose that's fine, but I do believe that it's still possible to live a life of enlightenment 'in the market place'. Especially if we remember things like gratitude, and compassion. In dealing with so many different types of personalities in the world, often unspoken example can make our journey a little easier 😊 🙏

[@leorivers7759]

Why haven't I stumbled onto this before.... Pali "moksha "release, liberation". Moksha holds the sense of 'shedding ones skin.' See Harris, Moksha: an etymological note, Bauddhamata, 15.6.2009.

[@DougsDharma]

Interesting, though the PTS Pāli dictionary doesn't list that sense in its definition or etymology. (The Pāli word is "mokkha"). Perhaps it is an implication in the Sanskrit? There is a famous poem of the snake shedding one's skin in the early suttas, but it doesn't use "mokkha". suttacentral.net/snp1.1/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=sidebyside&reference=main&notes=asterisk&highlight=true&script=latin

[@vyderka]

Why do you pronounce "rhinoceros" in 1:57 in such way? I've never heard that before..

[@SoyElta]

It is closer to the proper Latin pronunciation. As proper as it gets using English vowels anyway.

[@Dharmaku56]

Renouncing violence for all living beings, harming not even a one, you would not wish for offspring, so how a companion? Wander alone like a rhinoceros. For a sociable person there are allurements; on the heels of allurement, this pain. Seeing allurement's drawback, wander alone like a rhinoceros. One whose mind is enmeshed in sympathy for friends & companions, neglects the true goal. Seeing this danger in intimacy, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Like spreading bamboo, entwined, is concern for offspring & spouses. Like a bamboo sprout, unentangling, wander alone like a rhinoceros. As a deer in the wilds, unfettered, goes for forage wherever it wants: the wise person, valuing freedom, wanders alone like a rhinoceros. In the midst of companions - when staying at home, when going out wandering - you are prey to requests. Valuing the freedom wander alone like a rhinoceros. There is sporting & love in the midst of companions, & abundant fondness for offspring. Feeling disgust at the prospect of parting from those who'd be dear, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Without resistance in all four directions, content with whatever you get, enduring troubles with no dismay, wander alone like a rhinoceros. They are hard to please, some of those gone forth, as well as those living the household life. Shedding concern for these offspring of others, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Cutting off the householder's marks,[1] like a kovilara tree that has shed its leaves, the prudent one, cutting all household ties, wander alone like a rhinoceros. If you gain a mature companion, a fellow traveler, right-living & wise, overcoming all dangers go with him, gratified, mindful. If you don't gain a mature companion, a fellow traveler, right-living & wise, wander alone like a king renouncing his kingdom, like the elephant in the Matanga wilds, his herd. We praise companionship - yes! Those on a par, or better, should be chosen as friends. If they're not to be found, living faultlessly, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Seeing radiant bracelets of gold, well-made by a smith, clinking, clashing, two on an arm, wander alone like a rhinoceros, [thinking:] "In the same way, if I were to live with another, there would be careless talk or abusive." Seeing this future danger, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Because sensual pleasures, elegant, honeyed, & charming, bewitch the mind with their manifold forms - seeing this drawback in sensual strands - wander alone like a rhinoceros. "Calamity, tumor, misfortune, disease, an arrow, a danger for me." Seeing this danger in sensual strands, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Cold & heat, hunger & thirst, wind & sun, horseflies & snakes: enduring all these, without exception, wander alone like a rhinoceros. As a great white elephant, with massive shoulders, renouncing his herd, lives in the wilds wherever he wants, wander alone like a rhinoceros. "There's no way that one delighting in company can touch even momentary release." Heeding the Solar Kinsman's words, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Transcending the contortion of views, the sure way attained, the path gained, [realizing:] "Unled by others, I have knowledge arisen," wander alone like a rhinoceros. With no greed, no deceit, no thirst, no hypocrisy - delusion & blemishes blown away - with no inclinations for all the world, every world, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Avoid the evil companion disregarding the goal, intent on the out-of-tune way. Don't take as a friend someone heedless & hankering. wander alone like a rhinoceros. Consort with one who is learned, who maintains the Dhamma, a great & quick-witted friend. Knowing the meanings, subdue your perplexity, [then] wander alone like a rhinoceros, Free from longing, finding no pleasure in the world's sport, love, or sensual bliss, abstaining from adornment, speaking the truth, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Abandoning offspring, spouse, father, mother, riches, grain, relatives, & sensual pleasures altogether, wander alone like a rhinoceros. "This is a bondage, a baited hook. There's little happiness here, next to no satisfaction, all the more suffering & pain." Knowing this, circumspect, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Shattering fetters, like a fish in the water tearing a net, like a fire not coming back to what's burnt, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Eyes downcast, not footloose, senses guarded, with protected mind, not oozing - not burning - with lust, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Taking off the householder's marks,[2] like a coral tree that has shed its leaves, going forth in the ochre robe, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Showing no greed for flavors, not careless, going from house to house for alms, with mind unenmeshed in this family or that, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Abandoning barriers to awareness, expelling all defilements - all - non-dependent, cutting aversion, allurement, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Turning your back on pleasure & pain, as earlier with sorrow & joy, attaining pure equanimity, tranquillity, wander alone like a rhinoceros. With persistence aroused for the highest goal's attainment, with mind unsmeared, not lazy in action, firm in effort, with steadfastness & strength arisen, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Not neglecting seclusion, absorption, constantly living the Dhamma in line with the Dhamma, comprehending the danger in states of becoming, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Intent on the ending of craving & heedful, learned, mindful, not muddled, certain - having reckoned the Dhamma - & striving, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Unstartled, like a lion at sounds. Unsnared, like the wind in a net. Unsmeared, like a lotus in water: wander alone like a rhinoceros. Like a lion - forceful, strong in fang, living as a conqueror, the king of beasts - resort to a solitary dwelling. Wander alone like a rhinoceros. At the right time consorting with the release through good will, compassion, appreciation, equanimity, unobstructed by all the world, any world, wander alone like a rhinoceros. Having let go of passion, aversion, delusion; having shattered the fetters; undisturbed at the ending of life, wander alone like a rhinoceros. People follow & associate for a motive. Friends without a motive these days are rare. They're shrewd for their own ends, & impure. Wander alone like a rhinoceros. Sn 1.3

[@jorge.contreras.a]

Research says that solitude can has a negative effect on mental health, increasing the risk for Alzheimer. Do this happen to meditation practitioners?

[@DougsDharma]

I'm not sure. My guess would be that loneliness is negative for mental health, while perhaps voluntary solitude wouldn't be. Also do recall that monastics are in sangha with other monastics, even as they may spend time alone as well.

[@MassiveLib]

Hotei has to come back to the city.

[@DougsDharma]

🙏😊

[@sanghpriya007]

Raino ranger😆

[@ace4life395]

Hello.. appreciating your content on Buddhism... My question however is.. did Buddha have a wife or kids?.. did he still live with his wife or kids or generally family sfter achieving enlightenment?..(that's if he had kids)... Please help I've tried to understand this buh never had one.. thank you..

[@DougsDharma]

I did a video on that subject awhile back: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX_YoKengJacrNE

[@SoyElta]

Doesnt Gotama mean "son of the sun?"

[@DougsDharma]

Gotama is from "go" which means "cow". The meaning is somewhat obscure but may mean "best of cows" or "cows dispelling the dark" (cows being metaphor for the stars): discourse.suttacentral.net/t/the-buddhas-first-name-was-gotama-gotama-adicca-the-sakyan/27083/72 . He was also known as "kinsman of the sun" (ādiccabandhu), probably due to his family lineage, though it's once again uncertain.

[@SoyElta]

@DougsDharma Thanks Doug. I think the monastic who told me that is just very new to speaking English and gave me a wonky translation.

[@UniversalistSon9]

You’re speaking of a unicorn btw, yup that’s what the one horned rhino was once called.

[@StopFear]

Hello Dough. Why does it look like over the last 7 years of videos you’ve been making it looks as if you are not aging? At least not visibly.

[@DougsDharma]

🤣 Believe me, I am!

[@normalizedaudio2481]

RINO is a big American topic now!

[@fingerprint5511]

The Buddha avoided Sampapalapa because it's unskilful 🙏🏼

[@RudraChakarin_Krshna_Dharmik]

Rhino is an animal whose name is often used as a metaphor, Referring to the personality or character of women. That's not neat, not self-preserving like a prostitute in the Knights Clubs or at night According to entertainment venues กาพกลอนเฝ้ารอการไถ่ถอน ด้วยความอาทร แห่งเขาวงพระจันทร์ ๐สิบห้าค่ำเดือนโชติไพโรจน์หล้า พระจันทรกระจ่างฟ้านภาไสว ณ ยอดเขาวงพระจันทร์อันอำไพ เสียงทอผ้ามาแต่ไกลได้ยินยล ๐เคล้าเสียงพิณยินเพลงบรรเลงแว่ว ปลายเสียงแผ่วโหยหาพาฉงน สะท้อนใจผู้ฟังดั่งต้องมนต์ สะกดคนหลงใหลแต่ใดมา ๐"กกขนาก"ยักษ์ล่มจมพินาศ ต้องพรหมาศตรึงแน่นกับแผ่นผา ยากยิ่งนักจักฟื้นคืนชีวา นอนนิทราหลับใหลไปชั่วกัลป์ ๐"ศรีประจันต์"ทอจีวรถอนบาปพ่อ ทรงศีลรอพระศรีอารย์ผ่านสวรรค์ ผ้าใยบัวทอใกล้เสร็จสำเร็จพลัน รอคอยวันกราบบาทพระศาสดา ๐อมรินทร์เกรงยักษ์ฟื้นคืนชีวิต ปกาศิตให้คนธรรพ์เร่งผลาญพร่า มาลบล้างขวางแรงแห่งศรัทธา ให้อ่อนล้ามอดม้วยด้วยกลกาม ๐อวิชชายังเป็นอยู่เช่นนี้ กิเลสที่มัวหมองจักต้องห้าม ศรีประจันต์พลันสำลักจมปลักกาม มิอาจข้ามน้ำเชี่ยวเกลียวโลกีย์ ๐หญิงก็ม้วยด้วยชายเพราะหมาย ชมชาย ก็ล่มจมด้วยหญิงจริงหรือนี่ เมื่อเสียศีลสิ้นธรรมแห่งกรรมดี จีวรที่ลายเลื่อมก็เสื่อมคลาย ๐นางเริ่มต้นทอผ้าอีกคราครั้ง มานะตั้งใจข่มอารมณ์หมาย แต่ตัณหาเร่าร้อนบ่อนทำลาย จึงวนว่ายเวียนซ้ำเป็นตำนานฯ ตำนาน...เขาวงพระจันทร์ เขาวงพระจันทร์เป็นภูเขาที่สูงที่สุด ของจังหวัดลพบุรี มีความสูงกว่า ระดับน้ำทะเลประมาณ650เมตร ซึ่งมี วัดเขาวงพระจันทร์ ตั้งอยู่ บนยอดเขา และ เป็นที่ประดิษฐาน ของรอยพระพุทธบาท จำลอง มีบันไดขึ้นไปประมาณ 3790 ขั้น เพื่อให้สาธุชน ขึ้นไปกราบนมัสการฯ และ ยังเป็นตำนานหนึ่งของ รามเกียรติ์ ตอนยักษ์ ชื่อ "กกขนาก"ซึ่งเป็น ยักษ์ตนสุดท้ายที่ต่อสู้ กับ พระราม จนกระทั่งถูก"ศรพรหมาศ" ยิงกระเด็น มาตกนอนสลบไสล อยู่ ณ ภูเขาแห่งนี้ โดยมีธิดา ชื่อ "นางศรีประจันต์" มาถือศีล ทำสมาธิ ทอผ้าใยบัว เพื่อรอถวาย "พระศรีอารยเมตไตร" มาโปรดในกาลข้างหน้า เพื่อให้บิดา คือ ท้าวกกขนากฟื้น แต่เมื่อทอผ้า ใกล้สำเร็จ คราใด ก็จะมี คนธรรพ์ มาดีดพิณ เชิญชวนให้นาง มาร่วม สมัครรักใคร่ กันทุกครั้ง นางก็ใจอ่อน ยอมให้แก่ คนธรรพ์ ทุกที และด้วย กิเลสแห่งกาม ผ้าใยบัว ก็ถูกทำลาย ไปทุกที เช่นกัน จนนางต้องเริ่มต้นทอ ใหม่ เป็นอยู่อย่างนี้ตลอดมา จนเป็นที่มาของตำนาน การแสวงบุญเพื่อพิสูจน์ รักแท้ แห่งเขาวงพระจันทร์ #Thai language

[@deanyanko3326]

cling clang clung