Interesting exploration of the day - I would like to share a memory.
We are in Bodh Gaya, facing an ancient offshoot of the Bodhi tree Buddha sat under to reach enlightenment in the place where it shelters the pilgrims today.
And I am sitting on the lawn next to my husband, looking up at the tower of Bodh Gaya. My mind is still in meditation.
And a monk comes into the section we are sitting peacefully in - I am uncomfortably aware - he is watching me intently. Sizing me up before he sits down next to me.
And he sits for a while chanting.
And I continue my meditation.
And he made exaggerated attempts to catch my attention.
But, I am in a state of unease as I feel him regarding me.
And I continue looking at the tower.
I sat in discomfort for a full minute of his energetically pulling at me before respect for the monk as a human being and old-fashioned politeness came over me, and I acknowledged him.
But I was thinking, "What does he want?"
And he talked "small talk" with me.
And I learned his name; I learned he is from Tibet, I learned he had been in India for two months, I learn lots of things about his story I did not believe to be true.
At one point, he wanted to check to see if I understood his English, so he tested me by asking me a question, and he discovered I could follow his meaning.
It was then he asked me for money to buy a train ticket to Delhi.
And I did not know what to do - so I feigned (and hoped) I misheard him.
And when my husband and I left, I bowed and respectfully said, "Namaste" and smiled.
He frowned at me.
And when I turned again to say goodbye with an open heart and love - he glared at me.
And these things confuse me.
Acceptance of him as he claims he is - a monk in need of money to board the train to Delhi-
Acceptance of him viewing me as a money tree -
Acceptance of his disturbance of me as I sat in quiet contemplation of life -
Acceptance of his manipulations to sway me into playing a bit part in his movie of life, a part I did not audition for, that of a "wealthy foreigner."
How to be respectful and kind in these situations without losing acceptance and love towards the human being that is the monk -
When really -
I was not looking to play with lies and manipulations. I just wanted to be left in peace, enjoying the temple and being.
WWBD - What Would Buddha Do?
