While everyone else was still sinking into a deep sleep, the foot-traveling Sangha woke up to prepare for a new route. Before departing the place where the Sangha stopped the previous night, we together chanted the suttas of loving-kindness and sharing the merits to sentient beings. As usual, the leader of the group picked up a handful of soil and rubbed it against his palms, then stood up and clasped his hands in reverence. The majestic image of the leader with great virtues taught me many valuable lessons.

Yesterday I got a yellow packet of instant noodles, today I got a red packet but I was content with what I had. In fact, just having a little something to fill the stomach is already enough to make me very happy. There is happiness in the simplest things, but sometimes we try to run after what we think is the best, the most luxurious, the most delicious – only then would we be happy. We try to run after it, try to hold on to it, and then one day we realize that we have lost everything. That happiness also evaporates like the morning dew on the tip of a blade of grass. In life, gain and loss are unavoidable. So I gladly accepted the gifts I have received today. For me, that was plenty of happiness!

Four days have passed, only the painful, burning sensation is still lasting. But to make up for it was the joy when the policemen stopped at a roadside shop to buy water and bread to offer to the Sangha. It was surprising – the good deeds they did. My mind was extremely elated with their kind acts, and in an instant all the fatigue subsided and was replaced with a mind enraptured in joy.

The sun was gradually disappearing, just as our group arrived at a village. The villagers, both children and adults, gathered around us with curious eyes. Ah! From one joy to another. A Nepali lady, whose husband is an Indian soldier, brought milk tea from tent to tent to offer the monks. Holding a cup of hot milk tea in hand in the chilly air is indeed happiness. I suddenly remembered the story of Madame Mātikamātā (Dhammapada Commentary, Verse 35) offering suitable hard and soft foods to the monks because she could read each of their minds. After accepting the appropriate items from her, the monks kept their minds completely heedful and attained arahantship. In the same way here, after being offered hot milk tea, the monks rejoiced, their hearts warmed, and they shared their blessings with the upāsikā. Deep in our hearts, we are very grateful for the locals, for this land, where the Buddha appeared and bestowed upon us countless noble blessings.

Source: Dhammacetiya
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