ABSTRACT
Once upon a time, under the Qing dynasty, there dwelt a great lama as the object of veneration at the head of a lamasery. In the place where that lama dwelt were three creatures, a Little Dog, a Cat and a Mouse. One day the Mouse made a hole in one of the lama’s sacks, and filled his mouth with cereals, but the Cat grabbed him and said, ‘We three animals have no home and no property, but we just get through hot and cold times in the beautiful palace which the lama has created with all sorts of jewel, where we live a carefree and happy life, eating all sorts of tasty meat, cereals and pastry. Is it right, then, that, without giving a thought to how you should repay his beneficence, you should damage the brocade, silk, ornaments, clothing, materials and comestibles which are stored in the lama’s treasury by chewing them up, ruining them or stealing them at your own free will? If you had a dwelling and family of your own there might be something to say for it. But that is not the case. You are all alone, so why are you so acquisitive? The present body is not eternal and you may die at any time, so however much you amass of goods and food, in the end there is no way of taking it with you. Your empty soul will surely depart alone. It is enough for you to get through the days and nights, keeping body and soul together.’
