105. BUDDHA SPEAKS ABOUT CLOUDS

Summary

The web content describes four types of people, likened to clouds, based on their actions and words, as taught by the Buddha in a parable.

Abstract

The Buddha compares people to clouds, categorizing them into four types: those who talk without acting (thunder without rain), those who act without talking (rain without thunder), those who neither talk nor act (neither thunder nor rain), and those who both talk and act (both thunder and rain). This parable serves as a metaphor to reflect on the nature of individuals in terms of their speech and actions, emphasizing the importance of aligning words with deeds.

Opinions

The parable suggests that the ideal person is one who both talks and acts, indicating the importance of consistency between words and actions.
It implies a critique of hypocrisy in individuals who speak but do not follow through with actions.
The parable also values the contributions of those who work quietly without seeking recognition through words.
It acknowledges the existence of individuals who are inactive in both speech and action, possibly highlighting the need for self-reflection and change in such persons.
The teaching encourages self-assessment and personal growth by urging individuals to consider which type of 'cloud' they represent.

108 Buddhist Parables

“O Monks, there are these four types of clouds. What are these four? The one that thunders but does not rain; the one that rains but does not thunder; the one that neither thunders nor rains; and the one that both thunders and rains. These are the four types of clouds. So too, there are four types of persons similar to clouds found existing in the world.

“How is a person who thunders but does not rain? This is a person who is a talker, but not a doer. It is in this way that a person is one who thunders, but does not rain.

“How is a person who rains but does not thunder? This is a person who is a doer, but not a talker. It is in this way that a person is one who rains, but does not thunder.

“How is a person one who neither thunders nor rains? This is a person who is neither a talker, nor a doer. It is in this way that a person is one who neither thunders, nor rains.

“How is a person one who both thunders and rains? This is a person who is both a talker and a doer. It is in this way that a person is one who both thunders and rains.

“These are the four types of persons similar to clouds found existing in the world .”

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —