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Gratefulness
co-exist with lies. As such, while the monk once flung a heavy disc in the air in order to show his miracle, his art failed; the disc fell on his head and broke his scalp.
Another aspect of gratefulness is to forget the good that we might have done to others. By reminding one of our benevolence, we lose the value of our action. It nourishes the ego and we tend to be arrogant. Moreover, we put the person concerned in a humiliating position. We should rather behave like a tree that gives shade or like a river that quenches the thirst, without making any claim.
If we donate, we should keep it a secret. Anonymous donation has great significance. It is like sowing of the seed. As it sprouts out in due course, so does the anonymous donation become fruitful in course of time. While donating, one should experience a degree of lightness within; donation is meant for reducing the burden of possession. One should not try to recoup it by gaining additional wealth; let it remain low.
As it is necessary to forget what good we might have done, so is it necessary to forget the ungratefulness of others; we should actually try to be grateful to them. Our approach should be like sandalwood, which gives fragrance as it is scrubbed. A spade would cut the sandalwood tree, but while being cut the tree makes the edge of spade fragrant. Gratefulness thus consists of four parts mentioned in the last chapter, viz. i) never forget what good someone has done to you, ii) do not remember the benevolence rendered by you, iii) forgive the ingratitude of others, and iv) sincerely atone for any ingratitude indulged by you.
We, human beings, are different from other animals. A cow, for instance, would leisurely eat the feed given to it without concern for the hunger of other cows and animals sitting around; we would not do so. We are inherently compassionate; the hungry looks around us would not allow us to eat alone; the sense of compassion would choke our throat and induce us to share our food with others.
A religious person has deep insight; he can make out how many
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