100. BUDDHA SPEAKS ABOUT COMPETENCE

Summary

The text contrasts the outcomes of incompetence versus competence using the parable of a cow navigating rough terrain and a monk practicing meditation.

Abstract

The parable of the mountain-dwelling cow serves as a metaphor for the importance of skill and experience in navigating challenging situations. A foolish, inexperienced cow fails to reach new pastures or return safely due to its lack of skill in mountain terrain. Similarly, a monk lacking wisdom and experience in meditation cannot progress to deeper states of concentration nor return to the initial state of meditation. In contrast, a wise and skilled cow successfully reaches new pastures and returns safely, just as a monk proficient in meditation can advance through the jhanas and maintain his practice. The text emphasizes the value of competence and the detrimental effects of incompetence in both secular and spiritual pursuits.

Opinions

The text suggests that competence is crucial for achieving goals and maintaining safety in challenging endeavors.
It implies that preparation and skill are necessary to navigate unfamiliar and difficult situations, whether they be physical terrains or spiritual practices.
The parable conveys the idea that wisdom and experience lead to successful outcomes, while the lack thereof can lead to failure.
It highlights the importance of a step-by-step approach, where one must secure their current position before advancing to the next.
The text offers a cautionary perspective on the dangers of overestimating one's abilities and the importance of developing skills gradually.
It reflects the Buddhist belief in the value of mindfulness and diligent practice in spiritual development.

108 Buddhist Parables

“Suppose, O Monks, there existed a mountain-dwelling cow that was foolish, incompetent, inexperienced, and unskilled in walking on rough mountains. It might occur to her, ‘I should go to a region where I have never gone before and eat grass that I have never eaten before.’ She would set down a front foot, and while it is not yet firmly planted, lift up a hind foot. She would not go to a region where she had never gone before and eat grass that she had never eaten before, and she would not return safely to the region where she was staying before. For what reason? Because that mountain-dwelling cow was foolish, incompetent, inexperienced, and unskilled in walking on rough mountains.

“So too, some monk who is foolish, incompetent, inexperienced, and unskilled, when, secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, he enters and dwells in the first jhana, which consists of rapture and pleasure born of seclusion, accompanied by thought and examination. He does not pursue that object, does not develop it, cultivate it and does not focus on it well. It occurs to him, ‘With the subsiding of thought and examination, I should enter and dwell in the second jhana.’ But he cannot enter and dwell in the second jhana. Then it occurs to him, ‘Secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, I should return and dwell in the first jhana.’ However, now he cannot return and dwell in the first jhana either. This is called a monk who has dropped away from both fallen away from both. He is just like that mountain-dwelling cow that was foolish, incompetent, inexperienced, and unskilled in walking on rough mountains.

“Suppose there existed a mountain-dwelling cow that was wise, competent, experienced, and skilled in walking on rough mountains. It might occur to her, ‘I should go to a region where I have never gone before and eat grass that I have never eaten before.’ When setting down a front foot, she would firmly plant it, and only then lift up a hind foot. She would go to a region where she had never gone before and eat grass that she had never eaten before, and she would return safely to the region where she was staying before. For what reason? Because that mountain-dwelling cow was wise, competent, experienced, and skilled in walking on rough mountains.

“So too, some monk who is wise, competent, experienced, and skilled, when, secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unwholesome states, he enters and dwells in the first jhana, which consists of rapture and pleasure born of seclusion, accompanied by thought and examination. He pursues that object, develops it, cultivates it and focuses on it well. It occurs to him, ‘With the subsiding of thought and examination, I should enter and dwell in the second jhana.’ Now he can enter and dwell in the second jhana, as well as he can return safely and dwell in the first jhana. This is called a monk who has achieved both states. He is just like that mountain-dwelling cow that was wise, competent, experienced, and skilled in walking on rough mountains.”

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