The Secret of the Mother Who Could Read Minds

This is the story of the mother of the village headman Matica, who used her supernatural insight to understand the minds and nutritional needs of sixty bhikkhus, helping them attain enlightenment.

Late afternoon sunlight gently fell upon the endless fertile fields of Matica village, where a clear stream murmured softly at the foot of the mountain. The air here was unusually peaceful, carrying the scent of ripe fruit on the wind, signaling a bountiful harvest. At the newly built monastery, a profound stillness enveloped everything. Sixty bhikkhus were immersed deeply in meditative concentration, each in their own separate corner, neither looking at nor speaking to one another. This silence was heavy yet majestic, as if time itself had stopped to make way for enlightenment.

The mother of the village headman Matica, an elderly woman with a kind face and gentle eyes, walked slowly through the monastery gates. She carried jars of fragrant molasses and rich butter – nutritious foods she had carefully prepared. Inside her heart lay a mixture of curiosity and worry. She wondered: "Why are these sixty people living under one roof so silent? Are they too lonely? Or are they angry with each other and avoiding one another?"

As she approached the walking meditation area, a young bhikkhu passed by, his demeanor graceful but his eyes not yet fully settled. He stopped, pressed his palms together, and bowed respectfully to her, maintaining a certain distance.

"Madam, what do you need?" he asked.

She smiled, her voice warm like a lullaby.

"I wish to see my children. Are you happy here? Why does it seem everyone is avoiding each other?"

The bhikkhu replied softly, his voice steady.

"Madam, we follow the rules of practice. Each person must stay alone to gather the mind, meeting only when serving elders or going for alms. We do not quarrel; we are simply fighting within ourselves to seek liberation."

She nodded, but doubt remained in her heart. Observing more closely, she noticed that although the bhikkhus' faces were pure, they appeared pale and lacked vitality. With the instinct of a mother who loves her children, she sensed that something was hindering their progress. She decided to try the body contemplation method they had taught earlier. Right there in the courtyard, amidst the chirping birds, she sat down, closed her eyes, and began to contemplate each part of the body, from hair, body hair, nails, teeth, to skin, flesh, bones, and marrow. She visualized impermanence (anicca) and the dissolution of this physical form.

Time passed, unknown how long, until suddenly a brilliant light burst forth in her mind. The mists of ignorance vanished. She attained the stage of Non-Returner (Anagami) right then and there, gaining the supernatural power to read others' minds. This was a miraculous turning point. From being an ordinary layperson, she surpassed many monastic teachers through extraordinary effort and deep karmic conditions.

After attaining this realization, she directed her divine eye toward the monastery. She saw through the walls, clearly perceiving every thought and emotion of the sixty bhikkhus. She discovered the reason they had not yet attained enlightenment: it was not due to a lack of discipline, nor because of a noisy environment, but rather... a lack of nutrition. The daily alms food did not provide enough sustenance to nourish body and mind, leaving them tired and unable to focus in meditative concentration.

She hurriedly called her family members and gave detailed instructions.

"Pay close attention. When the bhikkhus return with their bowls after collecting alms, do not just wait for them to ask. Observe each person carefully. If Bhikkhu A likes curry today, cook delicious curry. If Bhikkhu B craves sausage, prepare it in advance. If Bhikkhu C is too tired to go out, bring food directly to his room. Especially, if anyone is coughing or has a fever, give medicine immediately. Do not let them go hungry, do not let them fall ill."

From then on, life at the monastery changed completely. Every morning, as soon as a bhikkhu formed the intention to crave a particular dish, a member of Matica's family would appear instantly with exactly that item. One bhikkhu secretly thought, "I wish I had a bowl of green bean soup with coconut milk," and before he could even speak, she had sent someone to bring it. Another felt cold and wanted an extra blanket, and a new blanket was already placed on his bed. This provision was frighteningly precise, yet filled with love.

Thanks to thorough physical care, the minds of the bhikkhus gradually became light and easily entered samadhi. They were no longer disturbed by hunger or thirst. After a short period, one by one, they attained the stage of Arhat. All sixty bhikkhus achieved the fruit of the path, experiencing complete liberation.

The story did not end there. Another bhikkhu, hearing about the wonderful mother Matica, asked the Buddha for permission to practice there. Initially, he was delighted to be served so attentively. But then, fear began to invade him. He realized that every hidden thought, whether small desires or unwholesome distractions, was seen by her. Panicked, he grabbed his robes and bowl and fled back to the Buddha.

"World-Honored One, life there is too comfortable, but I am very afraid. She knows all my thoughts. I dare not live near someone who knows whatever I think," he confessed.

The Buddha smiled, advised him to return, and emphasized the verse from the Dhammapada: "The mind is fickle and hard to guard, running after sensual pleasures. Whoever tames the mind finds abundant peace." Heeding the Buddha's words, he returned with great distress, striving to keep his mind pure. Driven by the "fear" of having his mind exposed, he forced himself to control every single thought. Just three days later, he also attained enlightenment.

The Meaning of the Story

This story clearly illustrates the connection between body and mind in the process of cultivation. To achieve liberation, practitioners need two elements: diligent effort in meditative concentration (taming the mind) and sufficient material support, especially nutrition (nourishing the body). If the body is exhausted, the mind cannot easily settle. Simultaneously, the story reminds us of the power of "keeping precepts" and "seriousness" in practice. Sometimes, the fear of exposing unwholesome thoughts becomes the strongest motivation for humans to self-regulate their minds, leading to inner purification and enlightenment. The final lesson is about gratitude and karmic connections: those who help us on the path, whether through material means or spiritual oversight, are precious good friends.

Compiled from the dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang