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“The woman whose hut I went to did not know what I wanted. I was shy."
Then his teacher explained to him, “There is no need to be shy. After all, all living beings depend upon one another for their needs and survival. It is a reciprocal blessing. See how as a muni, you bless the giver with spiritual nourishment, while the one who offers food provides you with physical sustenance which allows you to continue to practice. Giving someone a chance to give is itself a blessing."
After a month, the new muni was accustomed to asking for alms. On one occasion, he met a woman who was unable to disguise her shock that this healthy-looking handsome lad should have chosen to be a monk. She asked, “Why did you choose this kind of life? You are so young. You have such shining eyes! You must have such a promising life ahead of
you."
He answered, “When death may come at any time, I must use my life to find my life. All promises are merely hopes. I seek what is immortal.”
“Is your mother living?" "No," he replied demurely.
"Just as I thought!" the old woman exclaimed. “No mother would allow a boy like you to become a sādhu. I would have turned anyone else away, but when I look at you, I feel like you are my own son.”..
She turned to go in the house. He smelled the aroma of freshly baked bread. She reappeared with a whole loaf of millet bread and handed it to him with a large lump of ghee on it. “I would not give my own son as much ghee as I am giving you!” she told him tearfully.
The young muni smiled good-naturedly, gave her his blessing, and departed. It would not be the only time that his childlike innocence, honest charm, and robust handsome appearance would open the heart of a skeptic and win his or her trust.
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