THE LISTLESS FOOL

  THERE was a rich Brahman, well advanced in years, who, unmindful

of the impermanence of earthly things and anticipating a long life,

had built himself a large house. The Buddha wondered why a man so near

to death had built a mansion with so many apartments, and he sent

Ananda to the rich Brahman to preach to him the four noble truths

and the eightfold path of salvation. The Brahman showed Ananda his

house and explained to him the purpose of its numerous chambers, but

to the instruction of the Buddha's teachings he gave no heed. Ananda

said: "It is the habit of I fools to say, 'I have children and

wealth.' He who says so is not even master of himself; how can he

claim possession of children, riches, and servants? Many are the

anxieties of the worldly, but they know nothing of the changes of

the future."

  Scarcely had Ananda left, when the old man was stricken with

apoplexy and fell dead. The Buddha said, for the instruction of

those who were ready, to learn: "A fool, though he live in the company

of the wise, understands nothing of the true doctrine, as a spoon

tastes not the flavor of the soup. He thinks of himself only, and

unmindful of the advice of good counselors is unable to deliver

himself."