The Novice Monk and Three Images of Awakening

That morning, the early sunlight was still gentle. Rays pierced through the gaps between leaves, casting patterns on the dirt path leading from the monastery into the city. The community of monks walked silently, their yellow robes fluttering in the morning breeze. Among them was a very young novice, perhaps twelve or thirteen years old, walking beside his teacher, Shariputra. The boy had bright eyes, but today his gaze seemed distant, as if pondering something deep within.

The journey into the city was quite long, requiring passage across fields and along embankments. This novice’s name was Bandita. He had ordained at a young age under Shariputra. Although still a child, he had already shown a keen intelligence and a love for learning. During his days living in the monastery, he always strove diligently in practice, yet sometimes he harbored doubts about how to truly master his own mind.

After walking for a while, the novice suddenly stopped and looked toward the embankment. A farmer was working hard, digging earth to guide water from the large river into the rice paddies. The water naturally flowed freely, but under that person’s skillful hands, it obediently followed the small channel, winding its way into each dry field. The novice murmured softly, "Even insentient water can be guided. Why should I not be able to guide my own mind?"

He continued walking, but a strange feeling stirred within his heart. After another stretch, he saw a craftsman sitting before a piece of bamboo, meticulously bending and shaping each curve to create bows. The worker used fire to soften the bamboo, then slowly bent and straightened it with extraordinary patience. The novice stood watching for a long time, thinking silently, "Even insentient bamboo can be shaped by people. Why should I not be able to shape my own mind?"

A little later, passing by a woodworking shop, he saw a carpenter diligently carving a log. Precise chisel strokes and straight saw cuts gradually revealed the form of a wheel rim from the rough timber. The novice suddenly froze. A peculiar sensation surged in his chest. He thought, "Insentient wood is carved into useful objects by people. Why cannot I carve my own mind to attain the fruit of Arhatship?"

Witnessing three scenes, asking himself three questions, and finally, a fierce determination arose within him. It burned like a fire scorching his core, a powerful longing to sit in meditation and subdue his mind immediately. He turned to Shariputra, his face flushed, his voice trembling.

"Venerable Master, I wish to return to the monastery. Please hold my alms bowl and go for alms on my behalf."

Shariputra stopped and looked at his young disciple. There was no reproach in his eyes, only compassion and understanding. He knew that a sacred fire was burning in the boy’s heart, a special opportunity arriving. He smiled gently and took the two bowls from the novice’s hands.

"Yes, go ahead. Give me the bowl."

The novice bowed to his teacher, then turned and ran quickly back to the monastery. Shariputra quietly joined the group of monks entering the city for alms. His heart was not troubled by taking over his disciple’s duty; rather, he felt joy knowing that his young student was stepping onto a crucial turning point on the path of practice.

The novice hurried to his room, sat down cross-legged, and began to enter meditative concentration. His breathing gradually became subtle, and his consciousness sank deeper. However, as time passed, he realized that given his physical capacity, he needed to sit continuously for six hours to attain enlightenment. But after six hours, the monks would have returned from alms, eating and living amidst noise, making it difficult for him to maintain his concentration.

At that moment, the Buddha was in the monastery. He knew the thoughts and determination of the novice. With boundless compassion, He wished to help the boy fulfill his vow. Thus, He used supernatural power to extend time. The sky remained bright noon, although in reality, it was past midday. Then, He appeared on the road, blocking the path of the monks returning to the monastery.

"Monks, did you receive enough food during your alms round today?"

Seeing the Buddha, the monks knelt and paid homage. One representative replied, "World-Honored One, we received plenty."

The Buddha asked again, "On the way, did you maintain mindfulness?"

"World-Honored One, we always maintained mindfulness."

The Buddha then asked questions regarding the teachings: about suffering, conditions, nirvana, and the path leading to nirvana. He questioned them meticulously, like a teacher reviewing previous lessons. The monks sat listening with sincere reverence, none daring to stand up and leave. Time passed thus, stretching out for six long hours.

Meanwhile, in his room, the novice had entered deeply into the stages of meditative concentration. His consciousness sank low, clear like the surface of an autumn lake. Gradually, afflictions and attachments were let go, and wisdom shone forth brightly. Finally, he attained enlightenment, reaching the fruit of Arhatship.

Just then, the Buddha stood up and told the monks, "Let us return to the monastery."

The monks rose and followed the Buddha. After just a few steps, the sky suddenly darkened. Everyone was surprised, asking one another, "Why was it noon earlier, and now it is suddenly night?"

Upon arriving at the monastery, they learned the story: novice Bandita had handed his bowl to his teacher, gone to sit in meditation, and attained enlightenment. The Buddha had used supernatural power to extend time to help him. The monks buzzed with discussion, praising the boy’s willpower and karmic blessings.

The next day, the Buddha gathered everyone and said, "Monks, this novice saw a farmer guiding water, an archer shaping a bow, and a carpenter carving wood, and connected these to the taming of the mind. He aroused a fierce determination, returned to sit in meditation, and attained enlightenment. Truly praiseworthy!"

Then He spoke this verse:

Farmers guide water, Archers bend bows, Carpenters carve wood, The wise tame their minds.

From then on, novice Bandita became an Arhat, always living humbly and practicing diligently. His story was recited among the Sangha, reminding everyone of the power of determination and the support of the Buddhas.

The Meaning of the Story

This story teaches us that when we sincerely practice and arouse a fierce determination, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas are always beside us, offering support. Never think you are alone on the path of practice. Furthermore, images in daily life can serve as reminders and opportunities for awakening and diligence. Always observe, always connect what you see to the task of taming the mind, mastering yourself just as craftsmen master insentient materials.

Compiled from the dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang