Reading Japanese novel in English - The Spider's Thread

Summary

In a tale of redemption and selflessness, Shakyamuni Buddha observes the torments of Hell from a heavenly pond. He notices a sinner, Canda, who once spared a spider's life. Buddha attempts to save Canda by lowering a spider's thread from heaven. As Canda climbs, he becomes greedy and tries to prevent others from following, causing the thread to break and sending him plummeting back to Hell. The story serves as a moral lesson on the importance of compassion and the consequences of selfishness.

Takeaways

• 🌺 Shakyamuni Buddha was wandering by a heavenly pond filled with lotus flowers, which had a pleasant fragrance.
• 🔭 Through the lotus leaves, Buddha saw the lower realm and the bottom of Hell, where the sinner Canda was suffering.
• 🕷️ Canda, a master thief and murderer, had one good deed to his name: sparing the life of a spider.
• 🌟 Shakyamuni Buddha, recalling Canda's good deed, sought to rescue him from Hell using a thread from a heavenly spider.
• 🧵 The spider's thread was dropped from the lotus pond to the bottom of Hell, providing Canda a chance to escape.
• 😱 Canda, upon seeing the thread, began climbing it, hoping to reach Heaven and escape his torment.
• 👥 As Canda climbed, he noticed other sinners following him up the thread, causing him to fear it would break.
• 🚫 In a moment of selfishness, Canda yelled at the other sinners to get off 'his' thread, causing the thread to snap.
• 💔 Canda fell back into Hell, a consequence of his lack of compassion and his attempt to save only himself.
• 🌅 Despite Canda's failure, the heavenly lotus flowers remained unchanged, symbolizing the constancy of the divine.

Q & A

Who is Shakyamuni Buddha in the script?

Shakyamuni Buddha is a reference to Siddhartha Gautama, who is the founder of Buddhism, also known as the Buddha. In the script, he is wandering around the rim of a Heavenly Pond filled with lotus flowers.

What is significant about the lotus flowers in the pond?

The lotus flowers in the pond are described as being all white like a gem and emitting an indescribably pleasant fragrance from their golden pistils, symbolizing purity and spiritual enlightenment.

What does the pond represent in the script?

The pond in the script serves as a boundary between the realms of Heaven and Hell, with the lotus flowers at the top and the bottom of Hell beneath.

Who is Canda in the story?

Canda is depicted as a master thief, murderer, arsonist, and a sinner who committed many evil deeds but also had one good deed of sparing the life of a spider.

What was the one good deed that Canda did?

Canda's one good deed was sparing the life of a tiny spider he found in the woods, deciding not to kill it as it too had a life like other creatures.

Why did Shakyamuni Buddha want to rescue Canda from Hell?

Shakyamuni Buddha wanted to rescue Canda from Hell as a reward for his good deed of saving the spider's life, hoping to give him a chance at redemption.

What is the significance of the spider's thread in the story?

The spider's thread represents a chance of salvation and an opportunity for Canda to escape from Hell and ascend to Heaven.

Why did Canda fail to climb to Heaven using the spider's thread?

Canda failed to climb to Heaven because he became selfish, yelling at the other sinners who were also climbing the thread, and as a result, the thread broke where he was hanging.

What lesson does Canda's story convey?

Canda's story conveys the lesson that selfishness and a lack of compassion can lead to failure, even when given a chance at redemption.

How does the story end for Canda?

The story ends with Canda falling back into the darkness of Hell,象征着 his failure to achieve salvation due to his own actions.

What is the final scene described in the script?

The final scene describes Shakyamuni Buddha standing by the Lotus Pond, watching as the spider's thread remains hanging in the dark sky, and the lotus flowers continue to sway, unaffected by the events, as if it were close to noon in Heaven.

Outlines

00:00

🕷️ The Spider's Thread: A Tale of Salvation and Greed

The narrative begins with Shakyamuni Buddha wandering by a heavenly pond, observing the white lotus flowers and their pleasant fragrance. He peers through the lotus leaves into the lower realm, witnessing the torments of Hell. Among the sinners, he spots Canda, a master thief and murderer, who once spared the life of a spider out of compassion. Moved by this act of kindness, Shakyamuni decides to help Canda escape from Hell. He finds a spider's thread from Heaven and drops it into the abyss. Canda, noticing the thread, begins to climb, hoping to reach Heaven and escape his suffering. However, as he climbs, he becomes fearful that the thread will break under the weight of the many sinners following him. In a moment of panic and selfishness, he shouts for them to get off, causing the thread to snap and sending him plummeting back into the darkness of Hell.

05:00

😔 The Fall of Canda: A Lesson in Compassion and Selfishness

In the second paragraph, the story continues with Canda's fall back into the depths of Hell, a consequence of his lack of compassion and his attempt to save himself at the expense of others. Shakyamuni Buddha, who had been observing the events, is saddened by Canda's failure to reach Heaven due to his selfish act. Despite this, the heavenly lotus flowers remain unchanged, symbolizing the constancy of the divine and the potential for redemption that still exists for all beings. The story concludes with a reflection on the importance of compassion and the consequences of greed and selfishness, leaving a profound impact on the reader.

Keywords

💡Shakyamuni Buddha

Shakyamuni Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, is the founder of Buddhism. In the script, he is depicted as a wandering figure by the rim of a heavenly pond, observing the events in the lower realm. His presence symbolizes enlightenment and the possibility of salvation. The script uses Shakyamuni Buddha's perspective to introduce the story and to highlight the moral lesson of the tale.

💡Heavenly Pond

The Heavenly Pond is a serene and beautiful setting in the script, filled with lotus flowers and described as having an indescribably pleasant fragrance. It contrasts sharply with the hellish scenes below, symbolizing the purity and peace that can be found through spiritual enlightenment. The pond serves as a boundary between the realms of heaven and hell, emphasizing the duality of existence.

💡Lotus Flowers

Lotus flowers are often used in Buddhist symbolism to represent purity and spiritual awakening. In the script, they are described as white like a gem and emitting a pleasant fragrance, which adds to the serene atmosphere of the heavenly pond. The lotus, growing in muddy waters but rising above to bloom beautifully, parallels the potential for beings to rise above their suffering and attain enlightenment.

💡Hell

Hell, in the script, is depicted as a place of suffering and torment, with vivid descriptions of a mountain of needles and a pond of blood. It represents the consequences of immoral actions and the lower realm of existence. The script uses the imagery of hell to illustrate the dire situation of the sinners, including Canda, and to emphasize the gravity of their predicament.

💡Canda

Canda is a character in the script who is a sinner in hell due to his past misdeeds as a thief, murderer, and arsonist. However, he is also the subject of Shakyamuni Buddha's compassion because of one good deed he did by sparing a spider's life. Canda's story illustrates the potential for redemption and the importance of even a single act of kindness.

💡Spider's Thread

The spider's thread is a symbol of hope and the slim chance for salvation in the script. It is a silver thread thrown by a heavenly spider that Shakyamuni Buddha uses to try to rescue Canda from hell. The thread represents the fragile and delicate nature of the opportunity for redemption, which can be easily lost if not grasped with care and respect for others.

💡Good Deed

The concept of a good deed is central to the script's message. Canda's single act of kindness towards the spider is what prompts Shakyamuni Buddha to attempt his rescue. It underscores the idea that even one positive action can have significant consequences and that it is never too late to seek redemption through good deeds.

💡Redemption

Redemption is a key theme in the script, as it explores the possibility of saving a sinner like Canda from the torments of hell. The attempt to rescue Canda through the spider's thread symbolizes the chance for individuals to overcome their past and achieve a better state, highlighting the transformative power of compassion and kindness.

💡Selfishness

Selfishness is portrayed as a barrier to redemption in the script. When Canda, while climbing the spider's thread, becomes fearful and selfish, demanding that others stop following him, his action leads to the thread breaking. This moment in the script illustrates how selfishness can undermine one's own chances for salvation and the importance of considering the welfare of others.

💡Compassion

Compassion is a recurring theme in the script, exemplified by Shakyamuni Buddha's efforts to save Canda. It is shown as a powerful force that can bridge the gap between suffering and salvation. The Buddha's compassion for Canda, despite his past crimes, demonstrates the boundless nature of empathy and the potential for all beings to receive help on their path to enlightenment.

💡Enlightenment

Enlightenment is the ultimate goal in Buddhist teachings and is subtly woven into the script's narrative. It is suggested as the state that can be achieved by transcending the lower realms of existence, such as hell, and attaining a higher state of being. The script implies that enlightenment is possible for all, including Canda, if they can overcome their negative actions and cultivate positive virtues.

Highlights

Shakyamuni Buddha wanders by a heavenly pond filled with fragrant lotus flowers.

Buddha observes the lower realm through the transparent water, seeing the bottom of Hell.

Canda, a sinner in Hell, is seen by Buddha, who recalls Canda's one good deed of sparing a spider's life.

Shakyamuni Buddha decides to attempt to rescue Canda from Hell as a reward for his good deed.

A heavenly spider's thread is found by Buddha, which he uses to try to pull Canda out of Hell.

Canda, initially exhausted in the pond of blood, notices the spider's thread and begins to climb.

Canda's climb is arduous due to the vast distance between Hell and Heaven.

Canda, after climbing for some time, becomes exhausted and rests while hanging on the thread.

Looking down, Canda sees the mountain of needles and the pond of blood far below, realizing the thread's significance.

Canda laughs, feeling he has a chance to escape Hell, but then notices other sinners climbing the thread.

Fearful the thread will break, Canda selfishly demands the other sinners stop climbing, claiming the thread as his own.

The thread breaks where Canda hangs, plummeting him back into the darkness of Hell.

Shakyamuni Buddha watches Canda's fall, reflecting on the consequences of his selfish act.

The heavenly lotus flowers remain unchanged, symbolizing the constancy of virtue amidst the trials of life.

The story concludes with a moral lesson on the importance of selflessness and the consequences of greed.

Transcripts

spider's

thread one day shakyamuni Buddha was

wandering around Alone by the rim of a

Heavenly Pond filled with lotus

flowers the lotus flowers in the pond

were all white like a

gem an indescribably Pleasant fragrance

from the golden pistols in their centers

was permeating the

air it seemed to be right in the morning

in

heaven sometimes later shakyamuni Buddha

stood on the rim of the pond and through

the Lotus leaves covering the surface of

water he saw all that was happening in

the lower realm beneath the

pond under the pond was the bottom of

Hell the scene of mountains of needles

and the szu river could be seen clearly

through the transparent crystalin water

as with a

hydroscope just then he saw a man called

called Canda wriggling around with other

Sinners at the bottom of

Hell Canda was a master Thief who was a

murderer arsonist and who committed many

evil

Deeds however he had done only one good

deed which was that when he was going in

the woods one day he saw a tiny spider

creeping along the

road at that moment candeda immediately

lifted a leg to step on it and kill it

but he suddenly thought no

no this being even so little has a life

just like other

creatures it would be too cruel to take

its life

thoughtlessly he changed his mind and

let the spider go after

all shakyamuni Buddha recalled that

candeda had saved a spider while looking

down at

hell and he hoped to rescue this man

from hell in return for his Good

Deed luckily enough when looking around

shakyamuni saw a spider of Heaven

throwing a beautiful Silver Thread on a

Lotus leaf colored like

Jade shakyamuni had the thread in his

hand and dropped it straight between the

beautiful white lotus flowers toward the

bottom of hell located far

below here came candida floating and

sinking in a pond of blood at the bottom

of hell

it was Pitch Black all around after

all what occasionally loomed was the

glitter of the frightening mountain of

needles the forlornness of the place was

beyond

words on top of that it was all quiet

around here like a

cemetery the only thing you could

occasionally hear was just the faint

size siners

gave those who ended up falling into

this place were already so exhaust

exhausted from different types of

Torment of hell that they wouldn't have

enough energy to

cry that was why even the master Thief

Canda was no exception he was choked

with the blood of the pond and was just

struggling like a dying

frog one day however candida casually

looked up in the sky which was actually

the pond of blood and in the quiet dark

he saw a ray of a spider's Silver Thread

coming down smooth ly over him as if it

feared to be

seen when he saw it he was excited and

clapped hands

unconsciously if he followed and climbed

This Thread until it ended he would

surely Escape From

Hell furthermore he could even step into

heaven if he made it he wouldn't get

cornered in the mountain of needles nor

would get sunk in the pond of

blood with that in mind he immediately

grabbed the spider's thread with both

hands and began climbing Higher and

Higher by hanging on to it he was

originally a master thief and was very

used to this kind of

activity however there was hundreds of

thousands of kilometers between hell and

heaven and so he couldn't go up on the

heaven land too easily no matter how

hard he was

trying while climbing for some time he

was finally exhausted usted and wasn't

able to go upward

anymore then he couldn't do anything but

rest for a short while and looked down

while hanging on to the thread in the

middle owing to his commitment for

climbing the pond of blood where he had

been some time earlier was already

unseen in the dark abyss before he

realized the Dreadful mountain of

needles that had been looming was Far

underneath as well if if he kept

climbing at that pace maybe it would be

easier to Escape From Hell than he

anticipated Canda with his both arms

entangled in the spider's thread laughed

and said I've got it with a voice that

he hadn't uttered for years since he had

fallen into

hell however he noticed that around the

bottom end of the thread an innumerable

number of Sinners were following after

him and climbing up and up Des ly like a

line of

ants as he saw it his eyes began

wandering and his mouth was kept open

for a while out of astonishment and

fear how could this fine thread bear the

weight of so many

people it might break off with even his

weight

alone if it should break off in the

middle he would have to fall back into

hell despite all his precious efforts

climbing up to this point

if such an accident happened it would be

all over for him in the meantime

hundreds of thousands of Sinners were

crawling up from the dark bottom of the

pond of blood and climbing up the

glittering fine spiders thread in a

single

line it could break off in half and he

would fall down unless he did something

before it would be too

late and then hey

Sinners this spider's thread is

mine who told you guys to climb up here

get off candida

bellowed it was at that precise moment

that the thread that had seemed

unaffected suddenly broke off from the

place where candida was

hanging for there was nothing he could

do in a blink of an eye he plummeted

into the darkness of the ground zipping

through the air and spinning round and

round like a top

after that the Heavenly spider's thread

remained hanging short with a thin

glimmer in the dark sky with no star and

moon shakyamuni Buddha standing on the

rim of the Lotus Pond was watching every

detail of that when he saw candida

eventually sink in the pond of blood

like a stone he made a sad face and

began wandering

again it would seem shameful to shiky

that candeda fell into hell again as a

suitable punishment for his merciless

thought that he tried to only get

himself out of

hell the Heavenly lotus flowers in the

pond nonetheless seemed

unchanged those white flowers like a

jewel were swinging its

kaces an indescribably Pleasant

fragrance from the golden pistols in

their centers was permeating the

air it seemed to be Clos to noon in

heaven end