23. Two Dicers.

23. Two Dicers.

Take care!

DÄ«gha ii. 348-349.

Inolden times two dicers played at dice. The first dicer swallowed every ace. The second dicer saw that dicer swallow every ace. Seeing, he said this to that dicer: “You, sir, have it all your own way. Give me the dice, sir; I must hurry away.” “Yes, sir,” said that dicer, and handed over the dice to that dicer.

Now that dicer painted the dice with poison, and said this to that dicer: “Come, sir, let us play at dice.” “Yes, sir,” said that dicer in assent to that dicer.

A second time also those dicers played at dice; a second time also that dicer swallowed every ace. The second dicer saw that dicer swallow for the second time also every ace. Seeing, he said this to that dicer:

Smeared with the strongest poisonWas the die the man swallowed, but knew it not.Swallow, O swallow, wicked dicer!Later it will taste bitter to you.

Smeared with the strongest poisonWas the die the man swallowed, but knew it not.Swallow, O swallow, wicked dicer!Later it will taste bitter to you.

Smeared with the strongest poison

Was the die the man swallowed, but knew it not.

Swallow, O swallow, wicked dicer!

Later it will taste bitter to you.

Jātaka 91: i. 379-380.

On a certain occasion the Exalted One reproved the monks for handling their property carelessly. Said he: “Monks, careless handling of property is like careless handling of deadly poison. For men of old, through carelessness, not knowing what was the matter, ate poison, and as a result experienced great suffering.” So saying, he related the following Story of the Past:

On a certain occasion the Exalted One reproved the monks for handling their property carelessly. Said he: “Monks, careless handling of property is like careless handling of deadly poison. For men of old, through carelessness, not knowing what was the matter, ate poison, and as a result experienced great suffering.” So saying, he related the following Story of the Past:

In times past, when Brahmadatta ruled at Benāres, the Future Buddha was reborn in a household of great wealth. When he reached manhood, he became a dicer. Now a second dicer used to play with the Future Buddha, and he was a cheat. So long as he was winning, he would not break the play-ring; but when he lost, he would put a die in his mouth, say, “A die is lost!” break the play-ring, and make off.

The Future Buddha, knowing the reason for this, said: “Let be! I shall find some way of dealing with him.” So taking the dice to his own home, he painted them with deadly poison and let them dry thoroughly. Then, taking them with him, he went to the second dicer’s and said: “Come, sir, let us play at dice.” “Yes, sir,” said the second dicer, and marked out the play-ring.

As the second dicer played with the Future Buddha, he lost, and put a die in his month. Now theFuture Buddha, seeing him do this, said: “Just swallow! Later you will know what that is.” And to rebuke him he recited the following stanza:

Smeared with the strongest poisonWas the die the man swallowed, but knew it not.Swallow, O swallow, wicked dicer!Later it will taste bitter to you.

Smeared with the strongest poisonWas the die the man swallowed, but knew it not.Swallow, O swallow, wicked dicer!Later it will taste bitter to you.

Smeared with the strongest poison

Was the die the man swallowed, but knew it not.

Swallow, O swallow, wicked dicer!

Later it will taste bitter to you.

Even as the Future Buddha spoke, he swooned from the effect of the poison, rolled his eyes, dropped his shoulders, and fell. Said the Future Buddha: “Now I must grant him his life.” So giving him an emetic containing herbs, he made him vomit. Then, giving him ghee, honey, and sugar to eat, he made him well. Finally he admonished him: “Never do such a thing again.” And having performed alms-giving and the other works of merit, the Future Buddha passed away according to his deeds.

When the Teacher had completed this parable, he said: “Monks, careless handling of property is like careless handling of deadly poison.” Then he identified the personages in the Birth-story as follows: “At that time the wise dicer was I myself.”

When the Teacher had completed this parable, he said: “Monks, careless handling of property is like careless handling of deadly poison.” Then he identified the personages in the Birth-story as follows: “At that time the wise dicer was I myself.”

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