Upakhyan (Anecdote)
Once King Vikramaditya was passing through a jungle on horse with his guards. On the way some hunters attacked the convoy and the king got separated from his men. The whole day passed searching for the way back to the capital and the king felt very tired and thirsty. He somehow managed to reach a hut. Inside he saw a sage deep in meditation and the king collapsed at his feet. The sage lifted the king and laid him down. He washed his face, quenched his thirst and comforted him. The king was moved and asked the sage, "Why did you discontinue your meditation and God's worship for me?"
The sage replied in a sweet voice,"Dear son, it is God's wish that no one should be sad in this world. To worship him I must fulfill his desire."
Hrudaysparshi Katha [Story, that touches our heart]
Third Edition
Some time back there was a very famous Buddhist monk in Japan who was revered by the rich and the poor alike. Once a very rare book of Lord Buddha's teachings in Pali language came in his hand and he felt that this book must be translated in Japanese and published for the benefit of the society. But that required huge amount of money and the monk had none. So he and his disciples decided to ask for donations for the noble cause. Some disciples who were householders agreed to donate some amount of money every month and others began to seek donations from the masses.
After a lot of effort enough money was collected . Unfortunately that year that region of Japan was struck with a severe famine. The monk was overcome with pity seeing the miserable state of the poor people. He decided to spend all the money that was collected. Clothes were bought and distributed to the needy, and food was bought and distributed to the hungry, and all the collected amount was spent."
The next year when rains came and famine was over, the monk started the drive again to collect money for the book. Some of the disciples separated from the monk, but he did not give up. It took about 10 years to collect the money again required to publish the book. When preparations were being made to pay the publisher, the region was suddenly struck with incessant, heavy rains. The entire region was flooded and standing crops every where got destroyed. The great monk stopped the payment yet again and spent the amount for the needy.
Now almost all the disciples abandoned the monk, calling him crazy, "We collect so much money for the book and this monk gives it all away to others." Only a few handful disciples, who shared the empathy and agony of the monk continued with him seeking donations for the book. It took many more years this time to collect the money. But finally the third time, the book got published without any hindrances.
As the book reached the masses, the monk began to earn the appreciation for the great collection of Lord's teachings. However, all were surprised to see written on the back side of front cover 'Edition - Third'. When it was enquired of the monk, he replied, "The first two editions of the book can be seen only by those who have service and love in their eyes."
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