truth out there

Mopu became one of the earliest converts to Buddhism. He belonged to the tribe of Bhils. The simple forest dwellers were for sometime terrorized by a man-eater. None would help them. Once Buddha happened to pass through their midst. Hearing how they were put to great hardship he went to the fierce beast and argued that he ought to mend his ways. The tiger became all of a sudden docile and chose to live among their midst. The Bhils were naturally converted to Buddhism.
Buddha lived among them for a while.
The morning after Buddha had left for the cities of the plains and beyond, Mopu got up early and began his devotions. He thought of Truth Incarnate who had tamed a murderous tiger and sat for a long time singing praises to his divine gifts.
Much was his confusion to see the tiger now looming menacingly above him. “ I’m going to eat you up.” He came to the point. “Didn’t Truth Incarnate teach you to renounce your meat eating ways?”
“But did he make grass eating a pleasure for me?”
“When I see you fellows feasting night and day over your hunt why I die many deaths of shame and regrets.” The tiger added with a bitter smile. “Why me?” Mopu asked with a shudder,” I may eat meat but I eat it with great distaste. Meat has never made me happy.”
“You speak for yourself, man!” the tiger hissed before his kill.
Buddha as Truth incarnate may be present in spirit among the Bhils who however must deal with the tiger one way or other. This inability of life-forms to hold onto Truth Absolute ‘which is out there’ explains the concept of a finite factor.
Accordingly a finite factor allows us to abridge some aspects of Truth in order to address our time and place more efficiently. The difference is like watching a 3- D movie without Polaroid glasses. Truth is simplified.
benny