The Water Buffalo King

A long time ago, there lived an extraordinary water buffalo king. He had a remarkably solemn demeanor, was very kind and gentle, abounding with sympathy and compassion, and had very high morals. Because of these fine characteristics, other water buffaloes would in great numbers approach him to pay their respects and to honor him.

One day, the water buffalo king and his followers went down to the riverbank in order to eat the luscious green grass that grew there. When they discovered how spacious the area was, allowing plenty of room for the water buffaloes to roam around comfortably, they ended up settling down there to live.

Next to the river lived a macaque monkey, and on one occasion he came down to where the water buffaloes were living. When he saw the water buffalo king, he took notice of his extraordinary behavior, with his very serene nature, and surrounded by numerous followers.

Seeing this made the monkey very envious, and so he started shouting all kinds of abuse towards the king. As well, he picked up stones off the ground and started throwing them at the king. He finally shouted at the king, “You get out of here! This is my territory! Take all of the other water buffaloes and leave this place at once!” After observing the situation, not only did the king not retaliate, but his heart remained free from anger. Maintaining his calm composure, he silently received all that came upon him.

A short time later, another group of water buffaloes came over to this area. When the monkey saw them, he, like before, started yelling words of insult, and again picked up rocks from the ground and threw them at the group of water buffaloes. But having witnessed the forgiving behavior of the buffalo king, they became full of respect and emulated his spirit of tolerance and acceptance. They also did not bring rise to an angry mind, instead only quietly left.

At a place not far away, there was a young water buffalo that had strayed from the herd, and was very anxious to catch up with the others. When he witnessed what had just happened, with the monkey's angry abuse and his rock throwing, a feeling of vengeance overcame him, and he wanted to fight back.

But then he thought, “The elder buffaloes ahead of me were able to keep their minds undisturbed and calm, and refrained from harming their attacker. Since I am still quite young, I should follow their example of remaining calm, and not bother myself with this mischievous monkey.” So the young buffalo paid no attention to the monkey, and hurriedly continued on his way.

After walking for a short period of time, the king passed a grove of trees, and amongst these trees lived a tree god. Upon seeing the king, the tree god curiously asked:

“I saw that monkey behaving so unreasonably towards you, cursing and throwing stones. Due to your great strength, you definitely wouldn't have had a problem in dealing with him. So why didn't you fight back? Instead you were silent and did not respond to him.”

The king answered:

“Everything in the world is subject to the principle of cause and effect. That monkey shouted abuses at me, and he will in the same abusive way treat other animals that he comes upon. But one day when the fruits of these bad deeds ripen, he will then have to face the bad consequences to his actions.

Seeing him so ignorant of the law of causality and continuously doing bad things, I can’t let my compassion go out to him soon enough, how could I possibly have the heart to hurt him?

Furthermore, if I really did do something to him, because my strength is so great I would surely in an instant take his life, which would therefore result in me being subjected to evil retributions in my own future. Where is the good in all of that?

So we can see that maintaining self-control is really the best protection for one's own life.”

This water buffalo king was actually Shakyamuni Buddha in a previous reincarnation. Because Shakyamuni Buddha always practiced patience, tolerance and compassion, keeping his mind calm and undisturbed by any conditions that came upon him, he was finally able to reach complete enlightenment and attain Buddhahood.

The author of this story is unknown and greatly appreciated!

What Is the Spiritual Moral / Meaning of “The Water Buffalo” Story?

The tale of the extraordinary water buffalo king unveils profound insights into the essence of patience. This noble buffalo monarch, with his solemn demeanor and compassionate heart, becomes a beacon of spiritual wisdom, guiding us through the labyrinth of human emotions and reactions. As the monkey's venomous words and hurtful stones rain upon him, the king remains steadfast, revealing the first spiritual moral of this story: the transformative power of patience.

In the face of adversity, the water buffalo king refuses to succumb to the whirlwind of anger and retaliation. His heart, a sanctuary of serenity, remains untouched by the storm of insults. Through his unwavering calmness, he imparts the second spiritual moral – the art of forgiveness. The monkey's envy and hostility become mere echoes in the vast expanse of the king's compassion. In choosing not to retaliate, the king transcends the cycle of negativity, teaching us that forgiveness is not a weakness but a potent force that transcends the boundaries of our ego-driven responses.

The riverbank saga unfolds another facet of spiritual enlightenment as a group of water buffaloes, witnessing the king's forgiving nature, mirrors his spirit of tolerance and acceptance. This echoes the third spiritual moral – the contagious nature of virtue. By embodying virtuous qualities, the water buffalo king becomes a catalyst for positive change. The ripple effect of his benevolent demeanor spreads like a sacred elixir, inspiring others to abandon the path of anger and adopt the journey of understanding.

Amidst the unfolding drama, a young water buffalo stands at the crossroads of vengeance and restraint. The fourth spiritual moral emerges – the wisdom in choosing one's battles. Despite the palpable urge to retaliate, the young buffalo, guided by the example of his elders, embraces the path of calmness. In doing so, he transcends the limitations of youth, showcasing the profound understanding that true strength lies not in physical confrontation but in the mastery of one's own mind.

As the tale meanders through the grove of trees, a divine encounter with a tree god unravels the final spiritual moral – the dance of cause and effect. The tree god, perplexed by the king's passive response, seeks an explanation. In the king's words, the law of causality is unveiled as the cornerstone of enlightened living. The monkey, blinded by ignorance, unleashes negativity into the world, ignorant of the repercussions awaiting him. The king's refusal to harm the monkey stems from a deep understanding that every action echoes through the tapestry of existence, shaping the destiny of all beings.

In the revelation that the water buffalo king was a previous reincarnation of Shakyamuni Buddha, we find the ultimate spiritual significance of this story. Shakyamuni Buddha, through countless lifetimes of practicing patience, tolerance, and compassion, paved the way to enlightenment. The story becomes a testament to the transformative power of these virtues, illustrating how a commitment to spiritual principles can lead to the attainment of Buddhahood.

In essence, the story of the water buffalo king is a spiritual parable inviting us to embrace the virtues of patience, forgiveness, tolerance, wisdom, and an understanding of the interconnectedness of all existence. It beckons us to cultivate the inner gardens of our hearts, where the seeds of compassion and understanding can blossom into the radiant flowers of enlightenment. Through the lens of this ancient tale, we are reminded that the journey to spiritual awakening is a pilgrimage of the soul, guided by the timeless principles that transcend the boundaries of time and space. May we, like the water buffalo king, traverse this sacred path with grace, embodying the spiritual morals that illuminate our way to the pinnacle of enlightenment.

Personal Reflection Questions

Spiritual stories are an opportunity to reflect on your own life. Here are 10 questions you can use to go deeper with the teachings in this story:

1. In the tranquil realm of the water buffalo king's serenity, what echoes of stillness reverberate within your own heart, and how might you invite a similar sense of calm into your daily existence?
2. As you tread the riverbank of life, reflecting on the monkey's venomous words and hurtful stones, what stones do you carry within yourself, and what might it take to lay them down by the water's edge, allowing the river of forgiveness to wash over them?
3. Amidst the vast expanse of the buffalo king's compassion, can you uncover the dormant seeds of forgiveness within your own soul? How might the act of forgiveness transform the landscape of your relationships and inner world?
4. In the dance of cause and effect, consider the stones you throw into the river of existence. What ripples do they create, and how might an awareness of your actions shape the tapestry of your own destiny and that of others?
5. Reflect on the monkey's envy and hostility as shadows that dwell within the groves of your own consciousness. How might acknowledging and understanding these shadows lead to a more profound connection with your own inner light?
6. As you witness the water buffaloes mirroring the king's spirit of tolerance and acceptance, explore the mirrors within your own life. Where can you find reflections of virtuous qualities, and how might you amplify their resonance?
7. On the crossroads between vengeance and restraint, stand for a moment in the shoes of the young water buffalo. What battles within your own heart beckon for the wisdom of restraint, and how might choosing calmness unveil a path of true strength?
8. Dive into the river of wisdom flowing through the grove of trees. What ancient whispers does it carry, and how might the wisdom of the tree god guide you in navigating the complexities of your own existence?
9. Contemplate the contagious nature of virtue and consider the gentle ripples that emanate from your own virtuous actions. How might your compassionate presence inspire others to abandon the path of anger and embrace the journey of understanding?
10. In the revelation that the water buffalo king was Shakyamuni Buddha in a previous incarnation, what reflections of your own spiritual journey arise? How might your commitment to patience, tolerance, and compassion pave the way to your own enlightenment, echoing through the tapestry of your soul's evolution?