A Presentation of a Jataka story with good moral lessons. The texts are in English. For the Video Presentation with audio narration and explanation in English, please check out the Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prUtE28kjvc

1. 1
The Headstrong Hermit – A Story with a Moral
From The Veluka Jataka

2. 2
This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about a certain
headstrong monk. When the Blessed One asked the monk whether
the report was true that he was headstrong, the monk admitted that it
was. "Bhikkhu," said the Master, "this is not the first time you have
been headstrong: you were just as headstrong in former days also
and, as the result of your headstrong refusal to follow the advice of
the wise and good, you met your end by the bite of a snake."
And so saying, the Blessed One told this story of the past.

3. 3
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in
Benares, the Bodhisatta was born into a wealthy family in
the Kingdom of Kāsi. As he grew up, his wisdom
bloomed; he could see that unwholesome desires and
craving would lead a person to pain and suffering. He
went forth to the Himalayas and became a hermit; he
meditated diligently and attained good spiritual heights.
He became a great hermit leader and had
a following of 500 hermit disciples.
Varanasi – Once known
as Benares
Hermit at the Himalayas

4. 4
Now one day a young
poisonous viper, wandering
about as vipers do, came to the
hut of one of the hermits; that
hermit Brother grew to be fond
of the snake as if it were his
own child. He housed it in a
joint of bamboo and he showed
kindness to it. Because it was
lodged in a joint of bamboo, the
viper was known by the name of
"Bamboo." Also, because the
hermit was very fond of the
viper as if it were his own child,
they called him
"Bamboo’s Father."

5. 5
Hearing that one of the hermits was keeping a viper, the
Bodhisatta sent for that Brother and asked whether the report
was true. When told that it was true, the Bodhisatta said,
"A viper can never be trusted;
keep it no longer."
"But," argued the Brother, "my viper is dear to me as a pupil to a
teacher; I cannot live without him." "Well then," answered the
Bodhisatta, "know that this very snake will make you lose your
life." But heedless of the Master’s warning, that Brother still kept
the pet he could not bear to part with.

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A few days later all the Brethren
went out to gather fruits, and
coming to a spot where all kinds
grew in plenty, they stayed there
two or three days. With them went
"Bamboo’s Father“, leaving his
viper behind in its bamboo prison.
Two or three days afterwards,
when he came back, he thought of
feeding the creature, and, opening
the bamboo, stretched out his
hand, saying, "Come, my son; you
must be hungry." But angry with its
long fast, the viper bit his
outstretched hand, killing him on
the spot. The viper then made its
escape into the forest.

7. 7
Seeing him lying there
dead, the Brethren
went and told the
Bodhisatta who asked
them to cremate
the dead body of the
headstrong hermit.

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Then, seated in their midst, the
Bodhisatta urged the Brethren to
follow wise advice by repeating this
stanza:—
The headstrong man, who, when
urged, pays
no heed to friends who kindly counsel
give, —
Like 'Bamboo’s father,' shall be
brought to nought.
Thus the Bodhisatta urged and
encouraged his followers.
He developed within himself the four
Sublime States of Metta (Loving-
kindness), Karuna (Compassion}.
Mudita (Sympathetic Joy) and Upekkha
(Equanimity). Upon his death the
Bodhisatta was re-born into the
Brahma Realm.

9. 9
* It’s foolish
not to heed the
advice of the
wise.
* Ego, pride
and conceit
will lead to a
person’s
downfall.
* Being ignorant
and stubborn,
always wanting
to have one’s
own way
oftentimes leads
to pain and
suffering.
* Unwholesome
desires, craving
and attachment
are the root
cause of Dukkha.
Namo tassa
bhagavato
arahato sammā
sambuddhassa
Homage to Him,
the Blessed One,
the Exalted One,
The Fully
Enlightened One
With Metta, Bro. Oh Teik Bin