One day, the children’s nanny got very sick. She was in great
pain. Both Vishaka and Bimsara were very concerned. As soon as they returned
from school they went to see their nanny, and helped her with whatever they
could. It is a very good quality to extend help when needed, for a person who
always helps others. The two children showed this quality of gratitude. Both
Mother and Father were very happy about the good qualities of their children.
That day after the evening worship, the mother praised her children.
“My dear children, we
are very happy about you. Most parents are not blessed with kind-hearted
children. Proud and lazy children can be a burden to their families. If someone
does not help a person who has helped them, then that person will not develop
the quality of gratitude.”
“Mother, today we helped nanny to wash herself. She is getting better now.
“Yes my children, that
is very good! This is the real offering to the Buddha. The Buddha discoursed “Yo gilanan upatteyya, so man upatteyya” that means; if someone cares for a
sick person, he is the one who cares for me.
Children, the Buddha
highly appreciated the kind act of nursing sick people. The Buddha liked to see
everyone doing well. That is why the Buddha is regarded as the greatest person
ever to be born in this world. King
Dharmashoka who ruled India around two thousand three hundred years ago built
hospitals not only for humans but also for animals.
One day, the Buddha
visited the temples with bhikkhus. While observing each room of the bhikkhus’,
the Buddha heard someone moaning in pain. He stopped and listened. Then walked
to the door of the room where the sound was coming through, and opened it. A very
strong smell of badly festered wounds came out of the room. The Buddha went
inside the room. An old bhikkhu was lying on a bed. His body was covered with
blisters and most of them had burst and pus was oozing out along with blood.
The Buddha went to him and asked kindly “Dear bhikkhu, don’t you have anyone to
care for you?”
Then that bhikkhu
started to cry and said “My dear lord Buddha… I made a big mistake. I never
cared for my peer bhikkhus when they got sick. I even failed to ask how they
were doing. And I never offered any medicine to those who were ill. I lived
without caring for others. When I heard their cries in pain, I pretended not to
hear. Because of that, no one cares for me now. ”
Then the Buddha called
all the bhikkhus in that temple. “Dear bhikkhus, when one falls sick, it is a
must that you take care of him. Especially, you who have severed all your
family bonds, all your relatives, friends, and properties and have become
bhikkhus, you should be very kind to each other. Never should you be selfish or
work in isolation. If someone likes to care for me, he should care for the
sick. That is what I like.”
Thereafter, the Buddha
called disciple Ananda; “Dear Ananda, please prepare some warm water. Take
these robes and wash them well. And dry them well. Hand over the warm water to
me”.
Then Buddha gently
sponged the body of that sick bhikkhu with warm water. Then He softly wiped the
body. Owing to the pus and blood that oozed out from the wounds, the robe of
the sick bhikkhu was glued to his body. Once his body was cleaned, the bhikkhu
felt so much comfort, and he felt very happy and his mind became calm.”
“Mother, the name of
that sick bhikkhu was Poothigattatissa, wasn’t it?
“Oh! Do you know the
story?” asked mother.
“Yes Mother… The
little bhikkhu at the temple told this story to us on a poya day.”
“Very good! You must
remember what you learn like that. Then the Buddha discoursed on Dhamma to
bhikkhu Poothigattathissa. The bhikkhu Poothigattathissa listened to Dhamma
with total concentration. And he started contemplating deeply in order to
understand the meaning of Dhamma. Finally, he realized Dhamma. Just after the
Buddha left the temple, the bhikkhu Poothigattatissa, while contemplating
Dhamma with a calm and happy mind, passed away.
My children what we
must understand is when someone falls sick, not only his body but his mind too
gets sick. Hence, he gets hurt quickly. And he feels sad even for little
things. He feels alone and helpless. Therefore, we must always help the sick
people to get better. We should never expect anything in return for what we do
for them. Then we could cultivate a lot of merit in this world.
by- Most
Ven. Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero
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