Always "Like in anicent times"
Today morning Atma thought "havn't listened to a talk on Dhamma since a longer time, what if I would download one of Bhante Thanissaro" and so downloaded one. Listening no it with joy, Atma tought: "What if I share it? One who listen with proper attention could gain a lot of benefit." Then an opposing thought appeared: "Its already half past seven, the upload will need half an hour for sure. There will be no villagers left who will give you food and even if walked far into the south, already hot, spending much time you could use better, it might be an uncomfortable day for you. Make it when you are back." "Not for sure and it would not really be a problem, but if one would come accross in this 3 or 4 hours, he/she would have much benefits and taken there will nobody come accross: results will always fal back on the doer."
So my person uploaded "
Refuge " and done, walked down for alms. As normal at this time on a hot sunny day, the nearby settlement provided just a half plate rice and so Atma walked further into the next 3km far settlement. Supprising this day and time some people, like if would awaiting, offered meal and after the 10 houses Atma could return through the eastern Bamboo grove.
Coming to the crossroad a group of visitors, ridding their motor bikes up hill, became aware of my person, stopped at the cross road and joyfully received Atma, approaching skilful and bowed down. "My Bhante receive our gifts." After having been rejected of what is usual but not proper, luckily they also carried food and drinks with them and joyful gave planty for a meal. The group 10 people, younger parents, friends and children, sitting there with folded hand, awaiting usual blessings did not receive such, but got an straight forward short talk on cause and effect and that they themselves have already caused their fruits and now receive just a reminder of what they have already heard on Dhamma. Even more joyful, they ended the "ceremony" by sharing their merits and gratitude to be able to meet such "in reality".
Atma walked up the path through the Bamboo grove and took place to take his meal under the shadow of the Bamboo.
The group, don't taking the faster main road, also rided up this path and seeing Atma for a secound, they stopped. "May Bhante receive this mat so that his garment would not get wet..." Their took place, after been told, that they do not disturb, and listened an straight forward and encouraging talk on the problem caused by being drunken in doing Dāna and the much higher benefit of focus on Sīla. Only then, after having joyful listened, they continued their long journey to the norther monastery to give alms there.
Having taken the meal, a group of village children, leading the blind villager behind them, in having taken hold of his stick, came across. Becoming aware of Atma, they sat down and joyfully listened an encouragement on generosity, reasons of poorness and virtue, on Devas and beauty from inside. Having silenty and joyful listened, they now walked on to search for mushrooms in the forest, not without noise and singing.
When ever Atma would see small children being taught by their parents to give respect alms, Atma would next to sympatic joy with their luck, suddenly think on that many children so wealthy but being just taught to have joy when Santaclaus is bringing presents which causes a lot of karuna arising.
May all beings find the right effort when comming accross seldom occations and so build on their Upanissaya, in taking grasp hold of deeds and outwardly conductive if real refuge is inside.
Anumodana.
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