LYING IS BIG SIN (STORY OF A FISH) read the reflection of lying

During the time of kasyapa Buddha two brothers were admitted to the order by some of his disciples. The name of the eldest was Sodana and that of the younger, Kapila. Sodana was their mother, and their sister Tapana was a Bhikkhuni (female devotee who had renounced the world).

Sodana and kapila enquired how many Duras (different modes in which a Priest may live) there were, and Sodana decided to pass the Grantha Dura. Having remained with the Teachers for five years he went to the desert and through persistent endeavour became an Arahat. Kapila passed the Grantha Dura and became well versed in the teaching embodied in the three Pitakas. Owing to his deep learning, he had a large number of followers, through whom he began to gain much. He became proud of his erudition and began to contradict what others said; for instance if they said one thing was wrong, he would say it right, and so forth. The elder theras now advised him again and again not to pursue that sort of action, whereupon he derided them. They then induced his brother, the Arahat Sodana, to advise him. Sodana now advised his brother not to continue in expressing opinions which are untenable, and this advice was repeated again and still it was unheeded. He said to Kapila, "You will have to suffer for what you do now", and went his way. Kapila severed his connection with the other Theras and began to do whatever he wished, suppressing the truth in the Dhamma and presenting as truth what is not in the Dhamma. When the Bhikkhus assembled at the Confession Hall, Kapila sat on the dais and questioned them as to whatever they were abiding by the rules prescribed for them. None replied, and he said, "There are no such rules amongst us now," In the Arahat died, and after sometime, Kapila Thera also died, and was born in hell. Their mother and sister, having treated Bhikkhus contemptuously died and were also born in hell.

There were five hundred robbers who, when being chased, ran into the desert, and seeing a Bhikkhu in a cave, entreated him to protect them. He said to them, "Nothing can help you now, my friends, but take as your guide the Three Gems and the Pancha seela." They accordingly did so, but the villagers, who suffered at their haner came and killed them all. They were all born in the Kamavachara Deva Loka. During the time of Gotama Buddha, the chief robber was born as a son of a prominent fisherman in Savaththi, and the rest were also born in the same town. Those five hundred grew old, and they all became good friends.

Kapila, who was undergoing suffering in hell, was born in the river Achirawathi as a very fish, which was golden in colour, but had a most offensive smell in its mouth.

One day a band of young fisherman went out fishing in this river, and having spread their net, Kapila was caught in it. As these young fisherman at their very first attempt caught a huge fish, they took it to the King, who had the fish taken to Buddha, who then resided at the Jetawana monastery. When the fish opened its mouth, the whole monastery was perveded with a most offensive smell. The king enquired, "why, oh lord, does the mouth of this fish, whose colour is golden, have such a putrid smell?" "Mahã Raja", replied the Buddha, "this fish was born as a Bhikkhu during the time of Kasyapa Buddha. He was well versed in the Dhamma, but represented truth as untruth, userting elder priests with contempt and he corrupted the religion. As a result of such actions, he was born in hell and now he has been born as a fish. Owing to his having abided by the precepts for a time, whilst he was a Bhikkhu, he has now acquired this colour. He presented the truth as untruth, he reproached and abused well-conducted priests; on this account a putrid smell now emanates from his mouth. Mahã raja, shall I make this fish talk?" "very well" replied the raja. The Lord then called upon the fish to talk, whereupon it said,
"oh lord, i am kapila."
"from whence have you come?"
"from avici, hell lord."
"why were you born there?"
"for presenting untruth as truth, lord."
"where is your brother, sodana?"
he has attained nibbãna, lord."
"where is sodani, your sister?"
"born in hell lord."
"where is Tapana, your mother?
"born in great hell, lord."
"where will you be born hereafter?"
"in the great hell, lord."

After a while Kapila, striking its head in its struggles, died and was again born in hell. Then the Lord delivered to the assembly a discourse which was thereafter known as kapila sutta.

~Kapila Sutta Aththvannana.

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