The Three Brothers of the Black Family

A long line of ox carts rumbled slowly along the dusty road stretching from Kusinara to Shravasti. Hundreds of wagons, piled high with goods, sank deep into the earth as oxen bellowed and merchants shouted commands. This was the caravan of three wealthy brothers known as the Blacks: Great Black, Middle Black, and Little Black. The eldest brother and the youngest took turns leading these distant trading expeditions, while the middle brother remained at home to manage their large store. The caravan included a hundred ox carts, accompanied by servants, attendants, and guards armed with swords and spears.

Suddenly, the procession slowed and came to a halt. Ahead, a large crowd walked on foot, dressed in neat clothes, carrying flowers and offerings, their faces solemn. The eldest brother, seated high on his cart, felt curious and sent a servant to ask where they were going. A member of the group replied that they were heading to the Jetavana Monastery to pay homage to the World-Honored One and listen to the Dharma.

Hearing this, the eldest brother’s entire body trembled. A strange feeling rose within him, as if an ancient connection had awakened. He turned to his youngest brother and said he wished to visit the Buddha at Jetavana. Little Black tried to stop him, reminding him of the goods and business duties. But the eldest brother had already made up his mind. He jumped down, adjusted his clothes, and hurried after the crowd. Inside the monastery, he quietly joined the assembly to listen to the teaching. That day, the Buddha looked directly at him while speaking. Whether others understood is unclear, but the Buddha’s words about the dangers and fleeting nature of worldly pleasures penetrated deeply into his heart. He sat there, burning inside, remembering his eight wives, his vast wealth, and his days of luxury, seeing them all as mere illusions. As soon as the talk ended, he knelt and asked the Buddha for permission to leave home and become a monk.

The Buddha looked at him and asked if his parents were still alive. The man replied that they had passed away. When asked about relatives, he mentioned his two younger brothers, one managing the shop and the other traveling with the caravan. The Buddha instructed him to return and inform his brothers, advising against leaving abruptly so they could understand his decision. After paying respects, the eldest brother left. At the caravan site, he called his youngest brother and declared that he was handing over all assets to him and Middle Black before departing for monastic life.

Little Black’s face changed color as he cried out in protest, accusing his brother of being unfair and abandoning them. Yet the eldest brother remained firm. He handed over the money, goods, and vehicles, then turned his back and walked away without looking back. Little Black stood frozen, confused and anxious. Without his brother, how could he manage the business? He had always relied on his elder’s guidance. A thought suddenly flashed through his mind: perhaps he should also become a monk just to see what his brother was doing. He ordered his servants to take the caravan home and ran after his brother, asking the Buddha for ordination. The Buddha looked at him silently and smiled.

Thus, both brothers became monks, but their states of mind were entirely different. Great Black, the eldest, had attained enlightenment and sought true liberation. He practiced diligently, day and night, without rest. Little Black, however, had only followed because he could not bear to be apart from his brother and lacked independence. His heart held no purity. Whenever female devotees came to hear the Dharma, he would sit and gaze at them, murmuring about their beauty. The senior monks shook their heads in distress, noting that he was not listening to the teachings but merely watching people. Since he was still a novice who had not yet taken full precepts, no one reprimanded him harshly.

One day, before taking full ordination, Great Black approached the Buddha to ask about the practices required of a monk. The Buddha explained there are two paths: studying the teachings and practicing them. Great Black confessed that he was older and could not learn much theory, having only basic knowledge. He wished to focus on practice but admitted a weakness: having lived in sensual pleasure, he wanted to contemplate the nature of the body. The Buddha advised him to go to the cremation ground and meditate on corpses.

Great Black obeyed and went to the burial grounds. An old woman managed the site and noticed the bald-headed monk moving among trees and bushes, staring intently at the dead bodies. Initially suspicious, she watched him closely. Eventually, she realized he was a sincere practitioner. She approached him and warned that he must inform her, his teacher, and the village headman whenever he visited. Thieves often hid stolen goods in the cemetery and returned later; failing to report his presence might lead to false accusations. Great Black agreed and asked her to call him when a suitable corpse was available for observation.

One day, a beautiful young woman from a wealthy family died. Her family brought the body and paid the old woman to burn it. Remembering her promise, she fetched Great Black. He arrived and watched as the luxurious clothes were removed and wood was stacked. Flames rose, and the body slowly burned. Skin peeled away, fat sizzled, and a foul odor filled the air. The once-beautiful face twisted and blackened. Limbs twitched and curled. Great Black stood motionless, eyes unblinking. Each image imprinted deeply on his mind. He clearly saw the impermanence and transience of the body. There was nothing left to cherish or desire.

Afterward, he found a quiet corner and sat in meditation. In his stillness, a realization arose: all conditioned phenomena are impermanent and changing; only the peaceful, pure mind offers true happiness. At that moment, like a door opening, he attained insight wisdom and realized the fruit of Arhatship.

When the Buddha and the Sangha traveled through Great Black’s hometown, both brothers accompanied them. Their wives heard the news and devised plans to lure their husbands back to lay life. They invited the Buddha for an offering of food. The Buddha accepted and assigned Little Black to prepare the seating. Upon returning home, Little Black was surrounded by his wives, who pulled at his clothes and spoke sweetly. He laughed foolishly, unable to maintain his spiritual resolve, and stayed behind, returning to lay life.

On the day of the offering, after the meal, the Buddha kept Great Black behind. His eight wives immediately attacked him, pulling and clinging to him. But Great Black, possessing the supernatural powers of an Arhat, flew up into the sky, over the roof, and returned to bow at the Buddha’s feet. As the group returned to the monastery, monks who had not yet attained enlightenment whispered in confusion. They wondered why the Buddha had let Little Black stay last time, resulting in his return to lay life, and now kept Great Black. What would happen this time?

Upon arriving at the monastery, they saw Great Black kneeling before the Buddha. The Buddha announced that Great Black had attained the fruit of Arhatship. The monks understood. The Buddha then recited a verse from the Dhammapada: "Whoever lives contemplating pure appearances, does not guard the sense faculties, eats without moderation, and is lazy rather than diligent, will be overwhelmed by Mara, like a weak tree before the wind. Whoever lives contemplating impurity, carefully guards the sense faculties, eats with moderation, and possesses faith and diligence, cannot be overwhelmed by Mara, like a solid rock before the wind."

From then on, the monks understood the meaning of practice: one must contemplate impurity to counteract desire, guard the sense faculties, eat moderately, and strive diligently. Only then can one remain unshaken by Mara, standing firm like a mountain rock against the wind.

The story teaches us that when the mind still craves and looks outward at superficial beauty without contemplating impurity, the spirit becomes weak and vulnerable to temptation. Conversely, if one contemplates the impermanence and impurity of the body, guards the senses, eats moderately, and practices diligently, the mind becomes steadfast like a rock against the wind, unmoved by any force.