Once there lived a drummer near Varanasi. Hearing that a festival was being celebrated in the city of Varanasi, he went there along with his son to play drums before the crowd. Thus, he earned a great deal of money.
On his way back he had to cross a dense forest infested with bandits. His son, however, overjoyed with his earnings kept on playing the drum incessantly. The father, however, cautioned him against the possible attraction of the bandits by the excessive drumming. He instead advised him for the occasional drumming, which could keep the robbers away by thinking that some local chieftain was on a journey along with his armed men.
The son did not listen to the advice of his father and kept on drumming in his joyous mood. Soon the robbers noticed the sound and caught them. They then beat them and ripped them off what they had. Thus what was gained by the skilful drumming was lost by the excessive drumming.
It is therefore said that excessiveness is bad; and restraint is a virtue.
Other Stories of the Buddha by CB Varma
Jnanandeva, a film made in India (date unknown), is highly recommended for viewing because of its powerful message and positive vibrations.
Having been ousted by the Brahmin community, the child Jnanadeva’s parents took their own lives, leaving him and his two young siblings to fend for themselves. Drawing courage and spiritual conviction from his older brother, Shri Jnanadeva sets out to win the right to a reprieve from the stigma which now prevents them from completing their Brahminic initiation ceremony.
Despite living as an outcaste, he wins the admiration of the masses through his understanding of the Gita and many miracles, eventually obtaining the recognition of the Brahmin community.
This movie beautifully portrays the power of innocent wisdom pitted against dogma and fanatacism, and is full of vibrations.
In some people, they have some more ego trips to be finished, so they come to Me. I find they are flying in the air like bubbles and, as if blown by the nourishing Mother, blown out like the bubbles on the surface of the sea.
And there are many who are suffering from superego. They get mixed up with the sand and become very heavy and all the time weeping and crying about personal things.
But once the thing clicks, they become one with the spirit of the ocean. Then they feel that deep, joyous force of the sea, which nourishes them, guides them and elevates them every moment …
Deep down in the sea they go and there they find the beautiful pearls of smiles, as laughter, as enjoyment. These are all within you. And they lie there away from your consciousness.
Shri Mataji 1983
Goddess of Peace, Goddess of Forgiveness, Goddess of Unconditional Love, Kwan Yin is a bodhisattva of compassion, refusing to enter Nirvana until all sentient beings reach enlightenment.
Her name means “She Who Hears the Cries of the World,” and she is depicted in over a hundred poses. Sometimes she is shown pouring a vase of healing love upon the earth, or bestowing the Pearl of Wisdom. Other times, she carries a book, the Lotus Sutra, or displays a hundred helping arms.
Known variously as Kuan Yin, Quan Yin, Kwan Yin, Kwonnen, Guanyin and other variations, She is worshipped in China, Tibet and other Buddhist countries. She has been worshipped and beloved by more devotees than any other goddess in history.