The 16 Frightening Dreams (Chapter 1.)

　　Once upon a time there was a king called Brahmadatta who was ruling in Benares, in northern India. One night he had 16 frightening nightmare dreams. He awoke in the morning in a cold sweat, with his heart thumping loudly in his chest. The 16 dreams had scared him to death. He was sure they meant that something terrible was about to happen. In a panic, he called for his official priests, to ask their advice.

　　When the priests arrived at the royal bed chamber, they asked the king if he had slept well. He told them that it had been the worst night of his life, that he had been scared to death by 16 dreams, and that he was desperate to find out their meanings.

　　At this the priests” eyes lit up. They asked him, "What were these dreams, your majesty

　　" King Brahmadatta told them all 16 dreams. The priests pounded their foreheads and exclaimed, "Oh what horrors! It couldn”t be worse, your majesty. Such dreams as these can mean only one thing - danger!"

　　The king asked them, ”What danger, oh priests

　　 You must tell me the meaning at once!" They replied, It is certain, your majesty, these dreams show that one of three disasters will take place - terrible harm to the kingdom, to your life, or to the royal wealth."

　　The king had feared as much. He wrung his hands as the sweat kept pouring from his body. He was shaking all over with terror and panic. He asked, "Tell me, oh worthy royal priests, is there any way to avoid this disaster

　　" "Indeed, it is very dangerous," they said. "If you do nothing, the end is certain. But we can prevent it. If we couldn”t, then all. our training and learning would be useless. Trust us, lord."

　　The panic-stricken king cried out, "Just tell me what to do, priests. I”ll do anything! What can you do to save me, my kingdom and my wealth

　　" "We must offer the greatest animal sacrifice that has ever been seen," they said. "We must kill, as sacrificial offerings, four of every type of animal that lives!"

　　Although he was usually a gentle, kind and merciful ruler. King Brahmadatta was so frightened that he couldn”t think straight at all. Paralyzed with fear, he put all his hope and faith in his priests. He gave them permission to prepare the gigantic slaughter.

　　The priests said, "Have no fear, your majesty, we will take care of everything. We will prevent the coming doom!" They knew they would be paid well to perform the sacrifice. And the meat from the killed animals would be theirs as well. Their secret thoughts were, "This is a great way for us to get piles of money, and the best food and drink too!"

　　The priests got to work organizing the biggest sacrifice Benares had ever seen. Just outside of town they dug a huge pit. Into it they put the most perfect ones they could find of all the animals - land animals. birds and fish. From each kind they selected four to be killed in the ceremony.. It became known as the ”Four-from-all” sacrifice.

　　Meanwhile, the king”s senior teaching priest had a promising young pupil. He was gentle and compassionate, and very well-educated. He wondered about all that was happening. So he asked the teacher priest, "Oh master, you have taught me well the wise teachings of old. Can you show me anywhere it says the killing of one will save the life of another

　　"

　　The priest answered, "What kind of question is that

　　 Open your eyes and be realistic, my boy. Don”t you see that this great sacrifice, the Four-from-all, will make us rich

　　 You must be trying to help the king hold onto his riches! "

　　The idealistic and sincere pupil said, "You have not answered my question, master. If this sacrifice is to be your work, it shall be mine no longer!" With these words he departed and went to the royal pleasure garden to consider what he would do.

　　It just so happened …

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