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Monks 'Dilemma
Monks' Dilemma
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his feet and apologised for having hesitated to pay her respects to him.
followed the Acharya to his chamber and after the Acharya settled down on his seat Deepak spoke humbly and respectfully, "With your permission we want to meet my parents."
Deepti added, "We also reiterate our request that they may now be freed from the bondage of monkhood and the order of nuns.
Vibhu, "I am sorry that I failed to recognise you in your new form and attire. You are Shradha nun. You are now a householder and not a nun. It is a wonder, never heard before."
Deepti stepped forward and asked, "Since how long do you know each other?"
Shree, "Our Acharya took a very important decision to arrange teaching of English to all disciples. Vibhu was doing his M.A. then and was engaged as our tutor. He was so proficient and nice that every nun and monk remembers him with great respect."
Deepti saw a perfect match between Shree and Vibhu but did not reveal her assessment and feelings. She decided to speak to Deepak at some appropriate time.
After the breakfast was over everyone went to their respective rooms to relax. The marriage was late in the night. Deepak wanted to avail this intervening time for himself to meet his parents and asked Deepti and Shree if they would also like to accompany him. Shree hesitated but Deepti coaxed her, "You should have courage for your conviction and face the Acharya boldly. If he asks questions about your household life after leaving the order of a nun you should tell the truth that you are happier than when you were a nun."
It was 10.a.m. when they reached the place where monks were staying and routine daily discourse was just over and followers gathered there were paying departing obeisance, bowing and prostrating thrice. Deepak, Deepti and Shree
Acharya, "Monkhood or the order of nuns is not bondage but a right path to attain salvation. None is forced here. Everyone comes in monkhood of his own. As Shradha took her own decision to revert to household they are also free. I shall not force them to stay."
Deepti, "We thank you for your permission."
Shree was behind Deepti and took her turn to pay obeisance in traditional manner, bowing and prostrating thrice unlike Deepti who just raised and folded her hands. Her humility and behaviour caught the attention of Acharya. She stood tall, steady and composed with new found confidence.
Acharya, "Are you happy now?"
Shree, "I have yet to get sensitised to feelings of pain and pleasure, sorrow and happiness. The indoctrination, conditioning and regimented life as nun for years have desensitised me. You and senior monks have been constantly hammering on us disciples that household life is full of miseries and problems and should be renounced for real and lasting happiness. It has repeatedly been impressed that fulfilling sensuous needs of food, drink, clothing and feeling pleasure or pain from comfort or discomfort, from heat or cold, hunger or thirst etc are inconsequential in the path to salvation. I am now realising that food and other physical
