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other was devoted to the Buddha. Having traveled far, they reach a magnificent old bodhi tree about sunset and took shelter under it. "Okay, we two will sleep under this old banyan tree tonight," they decided in concert. There was a great devâ shrine platform under the tree, as well. The one who was devoted to devâs, before he went to bed, bowed to the devâ and then went to sleep on the ground. The one who was devoted to the Buddha, though, climbed up onto the platform and after bowing to the Buddha, he went to sleep on top of the platform. While they were both asleep, along came a tiger to the banyan tree they were sleeping under. When he reached them, he saw two appetizing humans. "Which of them shall I eat?" the big tiger thought to himself. Then the guardian devâ of the banyan tree spoke. "The human sleeping on the ground is devoted to me," it said, "The human sleeping on the shrine platform is devoted to the Buddha. Since the Buddhist is not mine, I can't possibly give him to you. I'll give you the one that's mine. Just go ahead and eat him," the guardian devâ said. And eating the devâ devotee, the tiger went off," said Sayadaw.
The lady, her daughter, and the fiancée really enjoyed this humorous little tale. The story is clearly a myth. Nonetheless, since it was so appropriate for the current situation, its moral was unforgettable.
When comparing another way or two to that of the Buddha, Sayadaw's direction, to follow that of the Buddha, is a great one to remember. Staying on the side of the Buddha himself and attracting others to come along, Sayadaw sets a great example. If one were to choose another side when comparing the Buddha's path to others, one would undoubtedly miss the benefit experienced by Buddhists with the teachings. Despite meeting the Buddha Sâsana, it would be difficult to call it a fortunate life. So when Buddhists compare the Buddha's way with another one or two, they especially need to stay on the Buddha's side.
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