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| QUATERNARY PRINCIPLE, 4 ELEMENTS, DHARMA IN ‘FOUR PUPPETS’ NARRATIVE
Erle Frayne D. Argonza / Ra
Behind the number 4 is the esoteric knowledge of the material elements of earth, water, air, fire. The elements characterize the four (4) material planes, to note: physical, earth element; astral, water element; mental, air element; and, causal or ‘higher mental’, fire element. The lower domains or dimensions of reality comprise the Lower Quaternary in the Septenary Law.
Narratives with the number of 4, such as the Four Puppets tale from Burma, are fascinating as they subtly embede the four (4) elements. To recall, among the early theories of personality goes the 4-Types personality: sanguine, melancholic, choleric, phlegmatic. Notice the four types representing roughly four (4) elements, to note: phlegmatic, earth; sanguine, water; melancholic, air; and, choleric, fire.
Below is a summary of the Four Puppets Tale as an exemplar of the Number 4 dovetailing into folklore. The denouement of the narrative stressed on Dharma, which is sacrosanct to Divine Wisdom.
Source: www.aaronshep.com/stories/folk.html
The Four Puppets
A Tale of Burma
Told by Aaron Shepard
Printed in Australia’s School Magazine, May 2007
Once there was a puppet maker who had a son named Aung. The father always hoped his son would grow up to be a puppet maker like himself. But to Aung, such a life was far from exciting.
“Father,” said Aung one day, “I’ve decided to leave home and seek my fortune.”
The puppet maker looked up sadly from his work. “I wish you would stay, my son. The life of a puppet maker is an honorable one. But if you must go, let me give you companions for your journey.”
He showed his son four wooden puppets he had carved, painted, and costumed. “Each puppet,” he said, “has its own virtue and value.”
The first puppet was the king of the gods. The puppet maker said, “The god’s virtue is wisdom.”
The second puppet was a green-faced ogre. “The ogre’s virtue is strength.”
The third was a mystic sorcerer. “The sorcerer’s virtue is knowledge.”
The fourth was a holy hermit. “The hermit’s virtue is goodness.”
He told his son, “Each of these virtues can help you on your way. But remember, strength and knowledge must always serve wisdom and goodness.”
Aung started off the next day. On his shoulder he carried a bamboo pole, with food and clothing tied at one end, and the puppets hanging by their strings from the other.
When night came, Aung found himself deep in the jungle. He stopped beneath a banyan tree.
“This looks like a good place to sleep,” he said to himself. “But I wonder if it’s safe.”
Then Aung had a funny idea. “I think I’ll ask one of the puppets!” He turned with a smile...Read the whole post...
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- 4 ELEMENTS,
- DHARMA IN ‘FOUR PUPPETS’ NARRATIVE,
- QUATERNARY PRINCIPLE
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