Silently looking at Isipatana – the Deer Park which was still hidden in the morning dew, we left the sacred land that defined what was once the golden age of Buddhism. The reverberation of the Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Dhamma Discourse (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) resonated, bringing us back to those days when the Blessed One uttered the roar of the lion, the Lord of all creatures, delivering the first discourse to the group of five ascetics led by Venerable Koṇḍañña. They were all connected one by one, group by group, from humanity to divine. Each followed the other to be bathed in the rain of the Dhamma (teachings), to leave the deluded world behind, and to come to the Buddha’s feet. Perhaps now, like us, you yearn to be one of the sentient beings seated at His feet, listening to the golden teachings of the Supreme Dhamma King, don’t you?
 
But it is indeed pitiful; we are unfortunate and lack those favorable conditions. As a result, we missed that boat while He was still alive. But we should not lose hope and give up. Oh, those of you who still wish to reach the shore of enlightenment, please devote yourselves wholeheartedly with unwavering faith to catch the last boat. Otherwise, if we miss the opportunity to board the boat again, we will forever stand and watch the boat sail away with tears streaming down our faces… no one else can save us.
 
Don’t miss this trip by perfect boat
Crossing the river day and night
But when the fire and embers float
We must make the conditions right
 
Another thousand autumns may pass
Before we find that boat again
So seize the day, make it last
And journey to the other end
 
Day after day, through nights shrouded in darkness, we have passed through long roads in a cold fog and under the scorching sun, eating by the roadside and sleeping overnight on the ground. Once again, I fell ill with a severe fever, accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting, making it difficult to eat or drink. I could no longer remain stable while standing or walking. My brothers in Dhamma also tried their best to give me water and porridge, despite everyone being tired after such a long journey. Fortunately, the doctors provided emergency care in time, giving me medicines, infusing protein, and providing oxygen. Many doctors and nurses took the time to attend to me. I gradually regained consciousness, and the fever subsided. The leader of the foot-traveling Sangha occasionally visited, encouraged me, and made jokes to cheer me up, “Don’t die! When I go to the US, we’ll meet again.” We laughed together; other monks also came to visit me. How beautiful is the Dhamma brotherly love that the Blessed One wholeheartedly taught.
 
Even in times of scarcity, we still smile and share what we have. Thinking about those days when the Blessed One and the Arahants fell ill, although their minds were liberated, they still carried on with the four-great-element body. They, too, endured a lot of physical suffering while propagating the Dhamma. Similarly, I can only try to conquer myself, as mentioned in the journal on Day 14. I hope to repay, in some way, the loving-kindness of everyone who has supported me over the past ten years and on this journey.

 

 
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Source: Dhammacetiya