March 1, 2026
Dharma Message

There are many parables in Buddhism which generally involve human characters in real life scenarios. They are short stories that aim to teach a specific lesson or principle. Parables show comparisons by telling two sides of a story. A parable is meant to teach, be memorable and thought provoking. It is used to help us live or understand principles. These principles are rules, beliefs or ideas that guide us; it is a basic truth to help one in everyday life.

This parable begins in India. A monk is frustrated and threatens to leave the order because Buddha will not answer his speculative questions about the cosmos. This monk questioned if the cosmos was eternal, if the soul the same as the body or does Buddha exist after death? Instead, Buddha responds with the parable about the poisoned arrow.

A man is shot with a poisoned arrow. He refused medical attention until he found and knew the name of his attacker, in what caste the attacker was born, the type of wood the attacker used for the arrow and what kind of feathers were used. Rather than the urgency of extracting the poisoned arrow, this man asked these unimportant questions. Surely, this man would die before getting his questions answered.

Buddha discussed with the monk who was asking metaphysical questions about the cosmos and life after death is like questioning the relevance of the arrow as the man lay dying from the poison, while the priority should be to extract the ‘arrow’ of suffering.

Buddha explained the true essence of the parable to the monk. Buddha saw life as suffering and the main goal is to end this suffering. Hoping or guessing of the possibility does not lead one to peace, the lack of strong emotions, or enlightenment.

Buddha explained that the Four Noble Truths is only necessary. The truth is that life is suffering and the origin of our suffering comes from our craving, attachment, and ignorance. We can end suffering only when our cravings cease, and we attain liberation from our wants, desires, greed, anger and ignorance (lack of wisdom). The path to end our suffering is through the Eightfold Path.

By practicing and thinking about the Eightfold Path of: Right view, that is free of prejudice and superstition and to see the true nature of life; Right thought, turning our minds away from violence and hatred; Right speech, refraining from harmful talk and to use our words wisely; Right Conduct, to see that our deeds come from peace and goodwill and we grow every day in the Buddha’s teaching; Right livelihood, trying to earn a living in such a way that we avoid causing suffering; Right energy, using our energies to pro-mote overcoming ignorance and destructive desires; Right mindfulness, having a good mind, for all that we think and our actions have roots in the mind; and lastly, Right meditation, this is studying Buddha’s teachings and to practice them to the best of our abilities.

We can come to recognize the illness (suffering), find the cause of our illness (craving, desires, greed, anger, ignorance), realize that a cure is possible (ending), and taking the medicine (path). According to Shinran Shonin in the Tannisho, Chapter 13, he said, “Do not take a liking to poison thinking because there is an antidote.”

Gassho,
Rev. Naomi Nakano