March 29-31, 2023
Like any other day, we woke up early and headed toward Bodhgaya. The road was only 38 to 40 kilometers but it felt so far away. My body and limbs were wracked with sharp pain, and my legs seemed disinclined to carry me further. Even Āloka, who had walked a short distance, lay down and refused to continue despite my beseeching and loud shouting. I helped him up but he collapsed like a noodle. Not only today, but Āloka has also been like this recently, likely due to lingering leg pain and illness compounded by the 3,000-kilometer journey that had weakened him.
Despite my insistence, Āloka refused to comply, so I released the leash and said, “If you do not wish to proceed, stay put. I shall continue the journey alone. If you wish to lie down, do so.” As I began to depart, he suddenly rose and chased after me. In recent days, I had led Āloka by leash to prevent him from chasing after other friends or rolling around in sewage puddles. However, there were many instances where I had to relinquish control as he would resist and plunge into the murky and malodorous waters upon encountering them.
Finally, the foot-traveling Sangha returned to Bodhgaya. Three months ago, the Lilājan River (also known as Nirañjanā River) still had light currents. Now it was nothing more than a vast expanse of sandy banks punctuated here and there by small pools of water. The sun scorched the dry hills, the roads steamed with molten asphalt. I still remember when I left Bodhgaya three months ago. The fields were bare of stubble, and soon after, tiny seedlings started to emerge. As I passed through Varanasi, the rice plants had just begun to blossom. Then when I traversed Nepal, the rice continued to bloom. And now, upon returning, the rice was fully ripe and golden, signifying the advent of the harvest season.
The Vice Abbot and the other Buddhists went to the riverbank to wait and offer water to the Sangha. Crossing the riverbank and approaching the Mahābodhi Stupa, we stood and clasped our hands to look at the stupa to pay respects to the Blessed One. Likewise, we entered the Royal Wat Thai Budhgaya Temple to bow down to Him. As expected, the four-legged elite troops here also attacked Āloka, Sukho, and Karuṇā; fortunately, there was an elder brother Sổ in the group. Sổ was brave and had credentials here, so he walked around to protect the three brothers with his glances and a few growls. Just like that, the elite army drifted away. The first experience was still haunted Āloka, so he screamed and hid but still barked back while leaning close to me.
During these days, the Sangha led Sổ, Āloka, Sukho, and Karuṇā to Mahabodhi Stupa to pay homage to the Buddha, commemorate the Bodhi tree, recite parittas, and attend the closing ceremony at the Thai temple. Venerable Dhambodhivong (Virayuddho), a Chief of the Sangha of the Thai monks in India and Nepal, told me we were relatives for many lifetimes, as were these dogs. Perhaps they were also practitioners, relatives, fellow practitioners, teachers, students, etc. Halfway around the world, meeting again and walking with the Sangha through this long journey was not easy; it is very admirable and worthy of love.
The Venerable Chief had the banners hung to promote the project of the Ancient Sacred Buddhist Scripture Stupas Dhammacetiya. He also gave me some spiritual gifts to give to those with meritorious services to the temple and those who support the Huong Tu Association distributing food to the community.
As such, three months and eleven days have passed since the journey of Following Buddha’s Footsteps began. I have experienced all states of mind that are filled with tears of joy, deep sadness, and indescribable physical pain. As I mentioned before, perhaps there will be some people who think why we torture ourselves like that for what purpose? Ladies and gentlemen, each of us is born with a purpose in life, an ambition of our own. The same goes for each monk in the Sangha, each with their own vows.
I feel that I have poor merit and lack of grace in the practice and study of Dhamma. Therefore, when given the opportunity, I embarked on a journey to delve deeper into the teachings of the Buddha, hoping to lead a contented life with sufficient knowledge, patience, and perseverance in the face of adversity and suffering. Without these qualities, completing this journey is impossible. Mastering oneself is a formidable task for those who want to lead a spiritual life. However, with the blessings of the master and grandmaster and my fellow friends’ support, I overcame difficult and painful challenges. The journey was fraught with physical and mental difficulties such as depleted strength, feeling like one’s body was falling apart, stomach empty and growling, throat parched with thirst, extreme weather conditions, mosquito bites, and a lack of proper hygiene, which were beyond my imagination.
Not to mention being run over by a car. Fortunately, I only suffered minor scratches; the items in the alms bag were damaged. Cracked-skinned feet stomped on lonely pebbles in the middle of the road right at the injured spots that sent pains through the brain. At times I kicked straight into the sharp thorns; at other times, I stepped straight into the thin zinc that pierced through every bit of flesh, leaving me numb. Then, being scolded when passed by houses, markets, and fields. At one point, Āloka and I fell behind and found ourselves walking without a map, so we had to ask the shopkeeper for directions. He didn’t even look at me but cursed at us and then sent us away. I looked at Āloka and smiled, thanked the shopkeeper, and continued my journey.
Following the Buddha’s Footsteps for the first time in 15 years of being a monk, I learned a lot of valuable lessons. I respect and appreciate the Buddha even more deeply because of his compassion for sentient beings; he spent countless thousands of millions of eons practicing to become a Buddha and then devoted his whole life from his youth to his last breath to help sentient beings.
I respectfully pay homage to my Master for allowing me to join this journey. My sincere gratitude goes to the Buddhists of Hương Đao Temple, who helped me wholeheartedly in temple work so that I could have the opportunity to follow my vows.
I sincerely appreciate the merits of donors at home and abroad who have contributed to support me on this journey of Following Buddha’s Footsteps.
I bow my head to the Great Bodhi Tree and the dignified Mahabodhi Stupa. Through the Perfections (Paramī) that I have cultivated while treading the path of Following the Buddha’s Footsteps, may the project of the Ancient Sacred Buddhist Scripture Stupas Dhammacetiya commence without delay and completed promptly to preserve the Dhamma and bestow its benefits upon everyone and the generations to come. may the project of the Ancient Sacred Buddhist Scripture Stupas Dhammacetiya be started soon and completed promptly in order to preserve the Dharma and bring benefits to all Buddha’s children and future generations.
May these merits go to our Grandmasters, Masters, Grandparents, Parents, and departed relatives, wishing them rebirth in a peaceful realm. For those who have already attained such a state, may they continue to experience even greater peace.
May these merits go to all Buddhists, donors, and their relatives. May you always have five blessings: health, long life, good form, happiness, and wisdom. Soon break free from the bank of delusion and cross to the bank of enlightenment.
After paying respects to Venerable Dhambodhivong and bidding farewell to the Sangha, I departed from Bodhgaya, the sacred land, and traveled to New Delhi to attend to some tasks for the Dhammacetiya project.
What about Sổ, Āloka, Sukho, and Karuṇā?
#chuahuongdao #chuahuongdaotemple #sbsstupas
#buddha #buddhism #Dhutanga #dhammajourney
Source: Dhammacetiya
