The Vision of Patacara’s Situation by the Author of the Book of Job
The author of the book of Job would see the situation that Patacara has faced from the point of view of the conflict between the true God and his enemy, Satan, the Devil. In the beginning of the book of Job, the essence of this conflict is explained on the example of a faithful man of ancient times named Job:
Does Job fear God for nought? Hast thou not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse thee to thy face (Book of Job 39).
This quotation helps see that there is an issue regarding each individual on the Earth, whether he or she will continue to honor God in case of suffering. Thus, Patacara’s hardships, beginning from her husband’s death and ending with her parents’ death, can be explained by the fact that God’s enemy is trying to test all humans to prove that they all will curse God if troubles come on their heads.
Besides, Patacara’s sufferings have come step by step which can be also explained from the point of view of the author of the book of Job. In Job’s situation, God and the Devil continued arguing about this man’s loyalty until everything was taken from him. When Satan took away his riches and his family, he still wanted more: “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face” (Book of Job 39). The Devil wanted Job’s very health, and he took it away for some time until the end of Job’s test came. Similar picture may be explored in Patacara’s case. Her loved ones were gradually taken away from her. Thus, it may be said that just as in Job’s situation, Patacara’s faith was tested step by step.
The Vision of Patacara’s Situation by the Buddha
According to the Buddha, people often face the consequences of the bad deeds that they have committed in their previous life or even in their present life. What happened to Patacara may be the result of the actions that had been committed by her soul in the previous life. In addition, she sinned in her present life when she disobeyed her parents and her destiny of marrying a man from her caste.
The piece of advice that the Buddha offered to Patacara was in the following: ‘the wise, exercising moral restraint, can quickly clear the way that leads to nirvana’ (Strong 58). This means that Patacara was to accept her fate, and let her grief away. As a result she would be able to feel peace and free her spirit. The freed spirit, in turn, is able to reach nirvana or the condition of eternal bliss, where all the hardships no longer have significance.
The other piece of wisdom that the Buddha offered to Patacara was in the following: ‘sister, regain awareness, acquire mindfulness’ (Strong 58). This piece of advice is someway similar to the first one as its essence is in the importance of not taking troubles close to heart. The Buddha teaches people who have faced sufferings that they should be calm and peaceful because worries will not help solve their problems. Instead, people who have grief should be mindful. Mindfulness, in turn, leads to nirvana.
The Vision of Patacara’s Situation by Confucius
Evaluating the events that took place in Patacara’s life from Confucius’ point of view, one of the primary truths of Confucianism established in its Holy books should be taken into consideration: ‘transgression is a way to calamity’ (De Bary 27). When Patacara made her choice to have an immoral conduct with a man that had not been approved by her parents, she had to remember that every act would have its consequences. She had to understand that in the end of the day, she would have to escape from her parents’ house with her lover, and they would become poor people that would cause further hardships. Such scenario would be the only one possible for them because the young man would lose his job, and she herself would lose her material support from her parents. Patacara also had to understand that sexual relations result into giving birth to children; thus, she had to think on how she could provide materially for her future offspring.
In addition, according to Confucius, ‘an unrepentant sinner is chained to many pains’ (De Bary 29). Patacara made her crucial mistake when she disobeyed her parents, and broke the moral statutes. Moreover, she did not repent. On this reason, she would keep on suffering. Thus, her husband’s death was her payment, and her children’s death is another one.
References
Book of Job. The Course Readings (n. d.): 39-53. Print.
De Bary, Theodore.“Confucius.” Sources of Chinese Tradition (1966): 15-31. Print.
Strong, John.”The Conversion of Patacara”. The Experience of Buddhism: Sources and Interpretations (1995): 52-59, 79-80. Print.