YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR MIND AFTER THIS | The monk and cat story | Buddhist story |

Summary

The video script narrates a parable about a great monk's last words to his successor, warning against allowing a 'cat' into one's life. The story unfolds to reveal the monk's past: he once lived in a bamboo cottage, and to keep rats away, he accepted a cat from villagers. This led to a series of events where he acquired a cow for milk and a widow to care for the cow. Eventually, he fell in love, had a child, and found himself back in the worldly life he had renounced. The 'cat' symbolizes the initial small indulgence that can lead to a cascade of attachments, illustrating the dangers of giving one's mind too much leverage, which can spiral into destructive habits and loss of spiritual focus.

Takeaways

• 🧘 The story revolves around a great monk's last words to his successor, warning against allowing a 'cat' into one's life, which symbolizes giving in to small temptations that can lead to larger consequences.
• 👤 The successor monk is puzzled by his master's last words, not understanding the significance of the 'cat' warning, highlighting the importance of understanding the deeper meaning behind advice.
• 👴 An old monk, who had closely observed the master's life, shares a long story to explain the origin of the 'cat' warning, showing the value of wisdom passed down through generations.
• 🏡 The master's initial renunciation led him to live a simple life near a village, where he faced the problem of rats chewing his clothes, illustrating the challenges of maintaining simplicity in life.
• 🐀 The villagers suggested keeping a cat to solve the rat problem, which seemed like a harmless solution at first, but set off a chain of events leading to more complex issues.
• 🍼 The cat needed to be fed, leading the monk to keep a cow for milk, which in turn required grazing land and care, demonstrating how one solution can lead to another problem.
• 🌾 The cow's care led to the introduction of a woman to the monk's life, who took care of the cow and grew crops, showing how dependency can grow from small beginnings.
• 💑 The monk and the woman fell in love and had a child, which made the monk realize how he had unknowingly recreated the worldly life he had renounced, emphasizing the subtle ways attachments can form.
• 🔄 The 'cat' symbolizes the initial small indulgence that led to a cycle of increasing attachments and responsibilities, cautioning against the slippery slope of giving in to temptations.
• 🚫 The moral of the story is a warning against giving leverage to the mind, as it can lead to a gradual loss of control and a return to the very things one sought to leave behind.
• 🌟 The story serves as a reminder to be vigilant about the choices we make, as they can have far-reaching effects on our lives and spiritual journey.

Q & A

What was the last statement made by the great monk on his deathbed?

The great monk's last statement was a warning to his successor to never allow a cat in his life.

Why was the successor monk surprised by the last words of his master?

The successor monk was surprised because he did not understand the connection between a cat and the spiritual life he was expected to lead.

What was the role of the old monk in the story?

The old monk was a close associate of the great monk and narrated the long story behind the last words to the young successor monk.

Why did the great monk initially go into the jungle and live near a small village?

The great monk renounced his wife, children, and home to live a spiritual life, and he chose to live near a village where he could beg for food.

How did the villagers help the monk when he faced trouble with rats chewing his clothes?

The villagers suggested that the monk keep a cat to keep the rats away, and they provided him with one.

What problem arose after the monk got the cat?

The problem was that the monk had to feed the cat, which required him to go to the village several times to beg for milk.

What solution did the villagers propose to the monk's problem of feeding the cat?

The villagers suggested that the monk keep a cow, which would provide enough milk for both him and the cat.

How did the monk's life change after he accepted the cow?

The monk's life became more complicated as he now had to ensure the cow was fed and cared for, which led to him accepting help from a widowed woman.

What significant event happened after the woman started living with the monk?

The woman became pregnant, and they had a child together, which made the monk realize that he had unintentionally recreated a worldly life.

What is the metaphorical meaning of the 'cat' in the story?

The 'cat' symbolizes the initial small indulgence or compromise that can lead to a series of events, ultimately pulling one back into the worldly life they sought to renounce.

What lesson does the story impart about human nature and habits?

The story teaches that one should not give their mind too much leverage, as it can lead to the adoption of bad habits or behaviors that can be difficult to break.

How does the story relate to common human experiences, such as trying drugs or eating junk food?

The story illustrates that small, seemingly harmless indulgences can lead to addiction and negative consequences, much like trying drugs or eating junk food can lead to unhealthy habits.

Outlines

00:00

📖 The Monk's Last Warning

In this paragraph, a revered monk on his deathbed imparts a cryptic warning to his young successor: never allow a cat into one's life. The crowd and the successor are left puzzled by this final advice. The successor, seeking understanding, is approached by an old monk who had closely observed their master's life. The old monk reveals a long story behind the master's words, beginning with the master's renunciation and his life in a bamboo cottage near a village. The master's simple life was disrupted by rats that chewed on his clothes, leading to the villagers' suggestion to keep a cat. This seemingly simple solution set off a chain of events that altered the master's ascetic life.

05:02

🔗 The Domino Effect of a Cat

This paragraph delves into the consequences of the master's decision to keep a cat. To feed the cat, the master had to beg for milk, leading to the villagers' suggestion to keep a cow for self-sufficiency. The cow required grass and care, which led to the introduction of a widowed woman to look after the cow and the master's needs. Over time, the master and the woman fell in love, she became pregnant, and they formed a family. The master realized that his initial decision to keep a cat had led him back to the worldly life he had renounced. The old monk uses this story to illustrate the dangers of giving one's mind too much leeway, as it can lead to a series of events that can pull one back into the world. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the slippery slope of indulgence and the importance of maintaining discipline to avoid falling into destructive habits.

Keywords

💡Monk

A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism by living apart from the world in a cloister. In the video's narrative, the monk represents a spiritual seeker who renounces worldly life. The story unfolds around the monk's journey and the consequences of his decisions, starting with keeping a cat to protect his clothes from rats.

💡Successor

A successor is someone who continues the work or role of another, often after the predecessor's death. In the context of the video, the young monk is the successor to the great monk, inheriting his teachings and legacy, and is also the one who receives the significant advice about not allowing a 'cat' in his life.

💡Catastrophe

Catastrophe refers to an event causing great suffering or destruction. In the video, the term is not explicitly used, but the concept is implied through the monk's realization that his initial decision to keep a cat led to a series of events that resulted in a personal catastrophe, ultimately leading him back to the worldly life he had renounced.

💡Rat

Rats are rodents known for damaging property and spreading diseases. In the story, rats symbolize a problem or a nuisance. The monk's clothes are being chewed by rats, which prompts him to seek a solution and leads to the first step in his downfall, the decision to keep a cat.

💡Cat

A cat is a domesticated carnivorous mammal, often kept as a pet for companionship or to catch rodents. In the video's allegory, the cat represents the first step towards giving leverage to one's desires, which can lead to a series of escalating consequences. The monk's decision to keep a cat to solve the rat problem sets off a chain reaction that ultimately leads him back to a worldly life.

💡Cow

A cow is a large bovine animal raised for its milk, meat, and hides. In the narrative, the cow symbolizes the increasing complexity and attachment to worldly possessions. The monk gets a cow to provide milk for the cat, which in turn requires more resources and attention, pulling him further away from his spiritual path.

💡Village

A village is a clustered human settlement smaller than a town, typically in a rural area. In the story, the village represents the source of worldly temptations and the community that influences the monk's decisions. The villagers' suggestions lead the monk to adopt a cat, then a cow, and eventually a woman to care for his needs.

💡Widow

A widow is a woman whose spouse has died. In the video, the widow symbolizes the escalation of worldly attachments. The monk's decision to accept help from the widow leads to a relationship, further entangling him in the web of worldly life and contradicting his initial renunciation.

💡Renunciation

Renunciation refers to the act of giving up or abandoning something, often in a spiritual context. The great monk had renounced his family and worldly life to pursue spiritual enlightenment. However, the story illustrates how the monk's initial small concession to keep a cat led to a series of attachments that ultimately defeated his renunciation.

💡Mind

The mind, in this context, refers to one's consciousness, thoughts, and desires. The video uses the metaphor of not keeping a 'cat' to caution against giving the mind too much leverage. The monk's initial decision to keep a cat symbolizes the first step in allowing the mind to lead him astray from his spiritual path.

💡Addiction

Addiction is a condition where a person repeatedly engages in behaviors or substance use despite adverse consequences. The video uses addiction as a metaphor to illustrate how small concessions can lead to destructive habits. The monk's initial decision to keep a cat led to a series of attachments that became as addictive as drugs or junk food, pulling him back into the worldly life.

Highlights

A great monk imparts a final warning to his successor about not allowing a cat into one's life.

The monk's last words surprise the crowd and his successor, who ponders the meaning behind them.

The successor monk seeks understanding of his master's last words from an old monk who knew the master well.

The old monk reveals a long story behind the master's warning about the cat.

The story begins with the master renouncing worldly ties and living near a village.

The villagers provide the monk with a bamboo cottage and he faces a problem with rats chewing his clothes.

The villagers suggest keeping a cat to keep the rats away, which the monk accepts.

The monk now has to feed the cat, leading to more frequent visits to the village.

The villagers propose keeping a cow to solve the monk's problem of feeding the cat.

The monk accepts the cow, which requires grass and someone to look after it.

The villagers offer a solution involving a widowed woman who can take care of the monk's needs.

The woman starts living with the monk, taking care of the cottage, cow, and cat, and growing crops.

The monk and the woman fall in love and eventually have a child.

The monk realizes that his initial decision to keep a cat has led him back to a worldly life.

The old monk explains that the cat symbolizes giving leverage to one's mind, which can lead to a downfall.

The story illustrates the dangers of allowing small indulgences to spiral into destructive habits.

The narrative serves as a cautionary tale against the slippery slope of giving in to temptations.

The moral of the story is to be vigilant against the gradual erosion of one's principles.

Transcripts

foreign

[Music]

a great monk was on a deathbed he said

to his successor a young mom remember

one thing never allow a cat in your life

and he died

a big crowd had gathered to listen to

the last statement of this great Monk

everyone was surprised to listen to his

last words

the successor was also very surprised

he was thinking why should I law a cat

in my life

anyways they cremated their Master with

all the rituals

but the successor monk was still

thinking about the last statement of his

master

there was also an old monk in the

monastery the old monk was with his

master for last many years

and had seen life of his master very

closely but he could not be chosen

successor of his master

because he was very old and was about to

die anytime

seeing the young monk lost in thoughts

he came to him and asked him the reason

of his concern

the young monk told him the reason of

his concern

the old monk said

my dear friend you don't know there is a

long story behind it

then he narrated the whole story to the

young Monk the story was when their

Master renounced his wife children and

his home and went into the jungle

he lived near a small village

he used to go to the Village to beg for

food

and the villagers were also happy that

they had a monk of Their Own

so they made a small bamboo cottage for

him

the monk used to have only two clothes

to wear

but it trouble arose then some rats came

into the house and they started chewing

on the clothes

the monk was in great difficulty he had

only two clothes and soon they would be

Torn to Pieces

so he asked the villagers

what to do

the Villager said why don't you keep a

cat

it will keep the rats away

it was a perfect solution

so mock a great and the villagers gave

him a cat

and the cat kept the rats away from his

Cottage

but no the problem was that he had to

feed the cat

so he had to go to Village several times

to beg for some milk for the cat

he again asked the villagers for its

solution

the Villager said

this is a small village

the best thing to do is that you keep a

cow

we can give you a good cow and in that

way you will become very independent

you can have enough milk for yourself

and for your cat also

it looked right to Monk so A beautiful

cow was brought in

now the problem was that the cow needed

glass

and also someone to look after it

so every day the monk had to go to the

Village to beg for the grass

people said this does not look right a

great monk asking for grass

the monk said but what to do how will I

feed my cow and my cat

the Villager said we have a simple

solution

one woman in our village has become a

widow

her husband has died and she has nobody

so if we persuade her then she will be

really happy to serve a monk like you

and then you don't have to come every

day to ask for grass

we will also clear some ground by the

side of your heart

so that she can grow grass and some

other crops there

and she will take care of you in

sickness or in illness

the idea was right

monk did not find anything wrong in it

the villagers persuade the woman

she was alone and the mock was young

so she immediately agreed

she started taking care of Monk's

Cottage cow and Cat and started growing

crops near heart

[Music]

working tirelessly for him

he also started helping her in her work

they started to grow crops together in

the field

slowly and slowly the thing started to

grow and they fell in love with each

other

the woman was very beautiful the monk

was young they were living in one

Cottage

what more was needed

after some time the woman got pregnant

and a child came in their life

and then one day the monk thought

what's that I had left behind my family

I have renounced the world and this is

the whole word again

it grew so slowly that I was not aware

until the child came now just because of

the cat

the whole word came in

then the old monk said he told you

remember not to keep a cat in your life

here the meaning of the cat was that

never give your mind so much leverage

that slowly and slowly it starts

dominating you and you don't even know

[Music]

if we see in our lives

then we will find that for fun we allow

our mind to do something which we know

is not good

we think that we will do it only once

and not repeat it

but once you give a little leverage to

your mind it starts taking more leverage

from you

and you will not even realize how you

will become addicted to some bad habit

like that monk who had renounced the

word

but in order to save his two clothes

from rats he kept a cat

and then to feed a cat he kept a cow to

look after cow he kept a woman

and then fell in relationship with her

and again became householder

similarly we know that taking drugs for

intoxication is bad but still some

people take drugs just to feel its

effect for first time

but after that they start doing it again

and again

and then slowly and slowly they become

drugs edited

for another instance we know that eating

junk food is not good for our health

but still we give it a try and then

slowly and slowly we start eating it two

are fun

therefore never keep a cat of giving

leverage to your mind

because once you keep this cat

then this will take your life toward

destruction

and you will not even know this

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]