________________
"I in this life
didn't have the fortune/luck
to give alms to a patra,
many times I came across the patra ones, but, feelings didn't arise.
Today strong feelings have arisen;
even on this occasion
if perception occurs, not touch,
touch occurs, not joy,
the sentiment will remain starving...!
Then when will...
that pacification of hunger?
Today's food should be taken at our residence, that's all!
In this connection if any demerit occurs
it will occur to me,
not to you, Svamin!
Oh ocean of kindness, be kind don't delay, have pity."
At this sentimentality of the donor the silent ascetic
turns a slightly smiling
countenance
and proceeds further on the path viewing four hand ground.
Then again from the mouth of the donor
emerges a line soaked with
disappointment:
"When there were teeth then there
were no grams,
when there were grams then there
Silent Soil :: 319
