The Bicycle and the Heart

One morning in a small village by the river, the sun rose gently behind the bamboo groves. Pale golden light stretched across the dirt road as roosters crowed in the distance. Farmers were already heading to their fields, hoes in hand and plows on their shoulders. In this peaceful scene, a young monk with a shaved head and brown robes pedaled an old bicycle. The wheels rolled steadily, making creaking sounds that echoed clearly through the air. Villagers watched him pass; some shook their heads, while others whispered, “A monk riding a bicycle? He has lost his dignity. The Buddha’s law says he should walk barefoot and carry his alms bowl!”

This monk was named Minh. Though young in age, he had spent more than ten years studying and practicing the Dharma. He once lived in a small mountain temple, surrounded only by trees and birdsong. However, due to the needs of spreading the teachings, he was assigned to lead a rural temple where devotees were sparse and roads were long. Every day, he traveled dozens of kilometers to visit families for prayers for peace or for the deceased, and to attend ceremonies in distant villages. Walking took too much time, and if he rigidly clung to old rules, he could not fulfill his duties. He remembered his teacher’s words: “My child, times change, and you must adapt. Riding a bicycle is not a sin, as long as you keep your mind pure.”

One afternoon, after returning from his duties, Brother Minh sat alone in his room, feeling sad. He had heard the villagers’ criticism, saying he lacked proper conduct and looked pitiful pedaling noisily down the road. He wondered, “I have tried my best to serve the Dharma, yet I am still judged. Should I just stay in the temple and go nowhere?” But then he thought of the devotees waiting in faraway villages, the elderly who could not come to the temple, and families needing guidance. He sighed and told himself, “If I do not go, who will reach them?”

The next day, Brother Minh met a senior monk walking along the road, carrying his alms bowl, sweat dripping from his brow. Minh stopped and asked, “Where are you going so far?” The senior monk replied, “I must cross the district. A family needs a ceremony for a recently deceased relative. I have been walking since morning and am only halfway there.” Minh paused, then said, “Why don’t you ride my bicycle? I can take you quickly. If we keep walking, it will be dark before we arrive, and they are waiting.” The senior monk hesitated but eventually nodded. Together they rode, discussing the Dharma and the challenges of modern life. When they arrived, the family welcomed them with joy, saying, “We thought you might not make it because the distance is so great. We are so happy you came!”

The ceremony was solemn, and everyone was moved. Afterward, an elder villager approached Brother Minh, holding his hands tightly. With trembling voice, the elder said, “Monk, last week when I saw you riding your bicycle, I criticized you for lacking dignity. But now I understand. If you did not ride, how could you arrive here in time for us? You endured hardship for our sake, and we are deeply grateful.” Brother Minh smiled, tears welling in his eyes. He realized that changes in form are not important; what matters is the heart and the service to all beings.

From then on, Brother Minh continued to ride his bicycle to distant villages, no longer troubled by criticism. He understood that as times change, practitioners must adapt, provided they maintain a pure mind and benefit all beings. Devotees in the region grew to love him more each day. They saw in him a sincere heart and quiet sacrifice. Now, when they saw him cycling down the road, they no longer shook their heads. Instead, they smiled respectfully and pressed their palms together in greeting.

The Meaning of the Story

This story reminds us that in modern times, monks and nuns need to be flexible and adapt to circumstances to fulfill their mission of spreading the Dharma. Yet, they must remain steadfast in keeping a pure mind and aiming for liberation. Lay Buddhists should not hastily judge external appearances. Instead, they should show compassion and support for the efforts of teachers serving the Dharma and all living beings.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang