The title is Mother Matica and the Monk Who Feared Having His Mind Read.

A gentle evening breeze swept through the fruit trees of Matica village, carrying the sweet fragrance of ripe pomelos. The stream at the foot of the mountain murmured softly, nourishing the endless fertile fields. In this peaceful hamlet stood an elderly woman named Matica, revered by all as a mother for her virtue. She had just completed making offerings to a newly built monastery for sixty monks during the rainy season retreat, yet the place remained strangely empty.

She worried that the ascetics living in isolation might be struggling with their practice. "I am old, and my own children are well provided for," she thought, "but those monks live separately, never meeting one another. They must be enduring great hardship. I must ensure they have enough strength to continue."

Mother Matica was the mother of the village’s wealthy chieftain. Her generosity made her a symbol of love in the community. When the sixty monks arrived on alms rounds, she invited them to stay, calling herself their mother and building a comfortable monastery. She took refuge in the Triple Gem and observed the Five Precepts, becoming a devout follower of the Buddha's teachings (Dharma). However, after a few days, when she brought butter and molasses to visit, she found the monastery deserted, save for one monk walking meditation by the stream.

The monk paused, hands clasped before his chest, and asked, "What does the lady want in this quiet place?"

Matica approached, her hands trembling slightly, fearing she had offended him. "I wish to see my sons. Why is it so empty? Have you quarreled and refused to live together?"

The monk shook his head calmly. "No, we established rules for each person to live alone to focus on meditative concentration, avoiding idle talk. We only meet during alms rounds or when attending to elders."

She asked gently, like a mother questioning her child, "Then what exactly do you practice?"

He replied, "We contemplate the body, sitting cross-legged, observing that this form will age, die, and decay. Anyone who practices this way benefits. You should follow this path too."

Matica bowed deeply and took the teaching home. Surprisingly, she attained the stage of Non-Returner before any of the sixty monks did. She developed the divine eye, allowing her to perceive the minds of others from afar. Looking toward the monastery, she saw that none had achieved enlightenment because their alms food lacked sufficient nutrition, weakening their bodies and preventing their minds from settling.

She instructed her family: "When the monks return from alms rounds, I know what each craves. Please provide it immediately: curry for those who like it, meat rolls for those who prefer them, or rice noodles for those who desire them. If anyone is ill, bring medicine at once."

Soon, all sixty monks attained Arhatship. At the end of the retreat, they returned to report to the Buddha. He smiled and asked casually, "Was there enough food? Did anyone take care of your lodging?"

They replied, "World-Honored One, thanks to Mother Matica, everything was provided. As soon as we thought of a need, she fulfilled it. Some wanted coconut milk bean soup, and she brought it; some were cold, and she gave blankets; some had lung ailments, and she provided antibiotics. Because of this support, we attained enlightenment."

A nearby monk heard this and felt a surge of joy. His face flushed red as he gripped his alms bowl tightly. He thought, "Such a wonderful person! Whatever I want, she provides. It would be blissful to go there!" He asked the Buddha for permission to join them, and the Buddha nodded. Upon arriving, he told Matica, "Please let me stay here to practice."

She smiled warmly. "Yes, please come and settle in."

On the first day, seeing his old robes, she provided new ones. He liked Thai hot pot, so she brought it; he liked fresh salad, so she served it. For a few days, he lived in comfort. But on the fourth day, a chill ran down his spine, and his back became wet with sweat. He realized, "Oh no, she knows every thought I have. My mind still harbors unwholesome intentions. How can I bear being seen so clearly?"

Panic-stricken, he hastily packed his robes and bowl and fled back to the Buddha, gasping for breath. "World-Honored One, life was comfortable, but I was terrified. She reads my mind completely. I cannot stay near someone who sees my every thought!"

The Buddha said, "I know. But why do you not fear me? I also know your mind."

The monk hesitated. "The World-Honored One is the Buddha, subtle and skillful. But she has only recently attained realization; her perception is too direct and exposed. I dare not stay there."

The Buddha spoke sternly, instructing him to return because this was a favorable condition for practice. Obediently, the monk sneaked back. From afar, Matica knew he had returned and continued making offerings. The Buddha advised him, "Do not be afraid. Focus on guarding your mind. If she reads it, let her see compassion and wisdom, not flaws."

Striving to maintain mindfulness, he practiced diligently for three days and attained enlightenment. Recalling past lives, he saw that in the ninety-ninth life, she had been his wife who committed adultery and killed him. He froze, thinking, "Ah, this woman once murdered me!" But Matica, observing him, sent a mental message: "Look further into the next life."

In the hundredth life, she was again his wife, but this time she saved his life. His heart softened. Through telepathic communication, she asked about the realm of Arhats, and he explained it directly to her mind. Afterward, he entered nirvana and left his body. Matica later reborn in a heavenly realm, destined to attain Arhatship hundreds of thousands of years hence.

The meaning of this story is profound. The human mind is restless, driven by desires and difficult to tame. Sometimes, a situation that forces us to guard our thoughts—such as the fear of having our minds read—helps us concentrate and achieve liberation. Those who master their minds gain boundless peace. Simultaneously, adequate food and a supportive environment are crucial conditions (dependent origination) for successful spiritual progress.