Lesson Ten: The Unlosable Treasure-Store Dana (Generosity)

he may not achieve the perfection achieved by
the Buddha.

One need not think that the Bodhisatta ideal is
reserved only for special people. What one has
done, another can do. Therefore, let us
endeavor to work selflessly for the good of
ourselves and others, having for our object in
life the ideal of service and perfection. We serve
to be perfect so as to be perfect to serve.

The Gift of Truth

Kisa Gotami had an only son, and he died. In her
grief and despair, she ran from house to house
with hair dishevelled and the dead child in her
arms, begging: "Please ........ please sir, please
give me medicine to cure my son. He is very
sick."

Her son was dead she was told, but Kisa Gotami
would not listen. She continued begging for
help, and the people would say: "Poor Kisa
Gotami. The grief for her child was too great for
her to bear. She had lost her senses."

Finally, Kisa Gotami met a man who said: "I
cannot give you medicine for your child, but I
know a physician who can. Go to Sakyamuni,
the Buddha.''

Kisa Gotami rushed to the Buddha, fell on her
knees and wept: "Lord and Master, you must
give me the medicine that will cure my child."

The Buddha understood her mind. With great
compassion, he spoke softly: ''I will cure your
son, Kisa Gotami, if you can get me a handful of
mustard seed taken from a house where no one
has lost a child, husband, parent, or friend."

It seemed an easy task. When Kisa Gotami went
from house to house, the people pitied her and
said: "Here is mustard seed; take it!" But when
she asked, "Did a son or daughter, a father or
mother, die in your family?" they answered her:
"Alas! the living are few, but the dead are

many." And there was no house in the city

where someone has not lost a beloved one.

When night fell, Kisa Gotami became tired and

hopeless. She sat down at the wayside,

watching the flame of an oil lamp asit flickered

up and was extinguished by a gust of wind.

"How selfish am I in my grief!" she thought.

"Just as that flickering light, so was my child.

Death is common to all. Yet, in this valley of

desolation there must be a path which leads to

immortality. I must seek the help of the

Master."

Kisa Gotami buried the dead child in the forest

and returned to the Buddha. She took refuge in

him and found comfort in the Dhamma,the

balm that soothe all pains of troubled hearts.

The Master said to her: "The life of mortals is

troubled, brief and painful. Those who have

been born cannot avoiddying after old age

there is death. Such is the nature of living

beings.

''As ripe fruits are in danger of falling, so is the

life of mortals. Both young and old, foolish and

wise, all fall into the power of death. A father

cannot save his son from death, nor kinsmen

their relations.

"The world is afflicted with death and decay.

Therefore,thewise, knowing the nature of the

world, do not grieve. People pass-awayand will

be reborn according to their deeds.

"Not from weeping nor grieving will anyone

obtain peace of mind. He who has pulled out

the arrow of grief and has overcome sorrow will

become sorrow-freeand be blessed.

"Kisa Gotami, you have realized the Truth of

death and sorrow. Now, I will show you the

Path leading to Deathlessness and Peace."

She was ordained into the order of nuns and

soon she attained the stage of Sainthood.

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