Hoa Vo Uu (Buddha Dharma Education Association)
Venerable Shravasti Dhammika
The Buddha’s Words of Wisdom
What are the eight bucking men and their eight faults? Concerning this, when one is reproved by one of his fellows, he pleads forgetfulness, saying: “I don’t remember, I don’t remember.” Just as a bucking horse, when hit and urged on by his driver, bucks and twists the carriage round with his hindquarters—like that, I say, is this person.
Or, on being reproved by his fellows, he blurts out at his reprover: “What right have you to speak? Why do you think you should speak?” Just as a bucking horse jumps back and batters the carriage railing and breaks the triple bar—like that, I say, is this person.
Or, on being reproved by his fellows, he retorts: “Well, you also have done such things. Fix yourself first!” Just as a bucking horse looses his hindquarters from the pole and tramples on it—like that, I say, is this person.
Again, when one is reproved by one of his fellows, he evades the question, turns the issue aside and shows temper, anger and sulkiness. Just as a bucking horse takes the wrong road and makes the carriage sway—like that, I say, is this person.
Or again, on being reproved, he speaks to the assembly with much gesticulation. Just as a bucking horse rears high and strikes out with his hooves—like this, I say, is this person.
Yet again, on being reproved, his disregards the assemble and the reprover and continues to offend just as before. Just as a bucking horse takes no notice of his driver or the whip and pulls his hit—like this, I say, is this person.
Once again, on being reproved, he says: “I am neither guilty, nor do I care,” and he annoys the assembly by his silence. Just as a bucking horse, when urged on, goes neither back nor forward, but stand still like a post—like this, I say, is this person.
And finally, when one is reproved by one of his fellows; he says: “Sirs, why should you worry so much about me? I will give up training and return to the ordinary life. I hope you are satisfied.” Just like a bucking horse, when whipped and urged forward by the driver, draws his legs together and just sits down—like this, I say, is this person.
