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Founding Master of
Chung Tai
Grand Master
Wei Chueh
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Abbot of Chung Tai
Ven. Master Jian
Deng
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THE STORY OF DEER PARK

Once upon a time, there lived this Deer King, tall
and handsome, with furs that glowed five colors.
He and his herd of thousands roamed free in the
forest. One day, a royal king and his entourage
discovered this forest and went hunting; they hurt
and slaughtered many of the deer.
The Deer King was greatly grieved at the sight of
so many fallen and his loving heart was filled with
sorrow. He went to see the human king and
pleaded, in human language, I believe in your
heart you know every living being treasures its own
life. So please spare us the fear of losing ours
everyday. Allow us to offer one of us to you each
day and stop the massacre. The human king was
surprised but consented to this arrangement.
The day came when it was the turn of a pregnant
mother-doe. She begged to the Deer King to delay
her death until her child is born. The Deer King
took pity on the despairing mother-doe, but could
not send anyone else to die for her. He decided to
offer himself as the sacrifice of the day. When the
human king saw the Deer King, he was surprised
and asked, Are there no more deer left?
Realizing the Deer Kings decision, he was deeply
touched and reflected: The Deer King is but an
animal yet he has such compassion for his fellow
beings. I am the king of human beings, but I kill to
satisfy my own appetite. I am less a being, let
alone a king, than the Deer King. With this
understanding, the king swore off all animal flesh
from his diet. He made it the law of land that no
deer shall be harmed or killed ever again. The
forest was reserved for the deer and became
known as Deer Park in India. The Deer King was
one of the former incarnations of Shakyamuni
Buddha.

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Reflection
Compassion arises from our empathy for others
and from our refusal to see other beings suffer.
Compassion pushes us to give our all to help
suffering beings get relief from pain.
When we can truly identify with other beings,
we will be willing to suffer in the stead of others, to
sacrifice ourselves for others, and to give anything
to let all beings get away from fear and get in
touch with peace. Beings with such great
unconditional compassion are called Bodhisattvas.