My Frog Buddhas

Frog Buddhas 

(photos from my personal frog collection)

Kashyapa is considered the third in the series of earthly Buddhas, the one who appeared before Buddha Shakyamuni, the historical buddha.

One day, during a public teaching, the mellifluous voice of this fully enlightened being rang out to the hills where a herder who was tending his flock happened to hear it.  He could not catch every word but he was so taken by the sound, that he stopped where he was to listen.  Resting his chin upon his hands that were planted palm down atop it, he fell under the spell of the sound of the Buddha's voice.

Now, deep in the ground just below where the staff was planted was a frog holed up for the cold weather.  It was just his misfortune that the stockman's staff pierced his body as the vibrations of the Buddha's teaching resonated down the shaft of wood and reached him.  But the little frog did not struggle, nor make any sound, for he was filled with joy at hearing the dharma and did not want to cause a disturbance. 

When the teaching came to an end, the shepherd moved on with his flock and the frog quietly and serenely  expired.  Because of his virtuous decision not to interrupt the sounds of dharma, the frog was reborn in the Realm of the Gods.  This little frog became chief among them, Lord Indra, himself.

This jataka (Buddha's life tale) as retold by Karma Kagyu Khenpo Chokey Gyaltsen of Pullahari, Nepal, emphasizes how merit is gained even in dire circumstances.  It teaches that Dharma helps transform our attitude and that influences our actions, eventually leading to our Liberation.