The Maddened Elephant

The Buddha’s jealous cousin Devadatta aimed to kill the Buddha by getting an elephant drunk on alcohol and forcing it into the street as the Buddha walked by. While the people ran in fear, the Buddha remained still and did not move. He radiated metta (loving-kindness) and placed his right hand on the elephant's forehead. The maddened elephant instantly calmed down, lowered its trunk, and knelt in submission. This story symbolizes the taming of the untamed mind, emphasizing that true power is self-discipline and loving-kindness rather than physical force. In some interpretations, the elephant is often used as a metaphor for the human mind, which must be tamed through mindfulness and meditation to move from being wild to obedient and peaceful.