SONA: THE MEANING
While on the road to camp Gaia, Bel and the Joes had many discussions on music, life and poetry. In these discussions, they came across the realization that a lot of the Buddhist concepts were something that they all had in common on a spiritual level, and began to discover this as one of the things that they shared as a common thread. Joe Jr. recalled the story of the parable of the lute in Buddhist teachings, and retold it to Bel while trying to describe some of those beliefs that they shared. Later, when searching for a name for the group, they came across the story in a book, the "Teachings of the Buddha." About Sona, the lute player, and the name was born.
"The Parable of the Lute"
Once the Blessed One lived near Rajagaha, on Vulture Peak. At that time while the venerable Sona lived alone and secluded in the cool forest, this thought occurred to him: "Of those disciples of the Blessed One who are energetic, I am one, Yet, my mind has not found freedom." Now the Blessed One, perceiving in his own mind the venerable Sona's thoughts.Left Vulture Peak, and, as speedily as a strong man might stretch his bent arm or bend his stretched arm, he appeared in the Cool Forest beside the venerable Sona. And he said to the venerable Sona: "Sona, did not this thought arise in your mind? 'Of those disciples of the Blessed One who are energetic, I am one. Yet, my mind has not found freedom." "Yes, Lord." "Tell me, Sona, in earlier days were you not skilled in playing string music on a lute?" "Yes, Lord." "And tell me, Sona, when the strings of your lute were too taut, was then your lute tuneful and easily playable?" "Certainly not, O Lord." "And tell me, Sona, when the strings of your lute were too loose, was then your lute tuneful and easily playable?" "Certainly not, O Lord." ";But when, Sona, the strings of your lute were neither too taut nor too loose, but adjusted to an even pitch, did your lute then have a wonderful sound and was it easily playable?" "Certainly, O Lord." "Similarly, Sona, if energy is applied too strongly, it will lead to restlessness, and if energy is too lax it will lead to lassitude. Therefore, Sona, keep your energy in balance and balance the spiritual faculties and in this way focus your attention." " O Lord," replied the venerable Sona in assent. Afterward the venerable Sona kept his energy balanced, balanced the Spiritual Faculties and in this way focused his attention. And the venerable Sona, lived alone and secluded, diligent, ardent and resolute, soon realized here and now, through his own direct knowledge, that unequalled goal of the holy life.
(Adapted from the Anguttara Kikaya, translated by Nyanaponika Thera)
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