During his lifetime, Buddha lived in the Bamboo Grove Abode for a long while. His disciples resided in different caves or under different trees to cultivate themselves.

One day Monk Kunala was meditating in a cave. Suddenly he heard a noise. Opening his eyes, he was startled to see a serpent.

Instinctively, he waved his hand trying to shoo the reptile away. Spontaneously, the snake bit his hand. It happened to bite into a blood vessel.

Kunala was very worried. He yelled to Sariputra, who was sitting outside the cave. Sariputra was one of the principal disciples of Sakyamuni. He went to see what had happened. "I have been bitten by a serpent," Kunala said. "It bit into a blood vessel. I might die!"

Sariputra helped him out of the cave and consoled him. "Our bodies are formed of four elements: earth, water, air and fire. When the four elements meet by chance, we have this body and life. When they are dispersed, our life is liberated from worldly cares. You must understand this thoroughly and set aside your worries."

Kunala had always been a calm, stable person. Although bewildered at the beginning, he soon returned to peace and tranquility. Gradually the poison spread all over his body and he lost consciousness. Not long after, he passed away.

Sariputra handled the funeral. Then he made a report to Buddha. Buddha was very sad. "Even when a serpent is crawling in front of you, if you don't touch it, it will not hurt you." he said to his disciples. "If Kunala had had the ability to overcome all his disturbing thoughts, he would not have waved his hand."

"Human beings should love and help one another. They should do the same to other creatures. If you thoroughly understand 'kindness, compassion, joy and giving,' you will have the ability to overcome all disturbing thoughts. Then you will not be bewildered even when you encounter danger."