Thought, the Poison Arrow of Procrastination


Buddha’s Parable of the Poison Arrow

 A man was going through the forest when he was ambushed by an enemy and shot with a poisoned arrow. One of his kin having stumbled upon him, immediately raised the alarm and soon others arrived with antidotes to the poison. As they attempted to pull the arrow, prior to applying the healing ointment, the man prevented them and began to ask various questions such as, "Who was that enemy?; and what was his family?;Was he tall?; What colour was his hair?; What kind of bow did he use?; and how was it strung? What was the arrow made of? etc..."

When it was suggested that these questions were irrelevant in the present pressing situation and that without application of healing herbs he would surely die, he merely continued his procrastination, in the same vein, intent on gathering maximum information, thus delaying appropriate healing action. Needless to say the cure was never effected.

The required action never having been taken, the man died a painful death.

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Vichara is the appropriate action. Now.
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