The monk who did not leave his hometown.

In a small town near the city of Shravasti, the pale gold afternoon sun stretched across the dirt path. The sound of temple bells mingled with the chattering of birds in the tree branches. A monk, carrying his alms bowl, walked slowly on the familiar road. Taking only a few steps, he met his wealthy relatives who smiled and filled his bowl with delicious food. He bowed his head in gratitude and returned to his monastery, living a simple and frugal life.

This monk was named Nigamavasi, from a wealthy family. After his ordination, he did not travel far but stayed near his hometown, going for alms each day in the small town. He did not seek much, needing only enough to eat to support his practice. Yet this led other monks to think ill of him. They whispered, "He has become a monk but still clings to his relatives, unwilling to go far. He only stays here to enjoy fine food."

The gossip spread, and eventually someone reported it to the Buddha: "Venerable Sir, the monk Nigamavasi, relying on his wealthy background, does not live a life of seclusion and poverty. He loiters in his hometown to enjoy his family's food and does not follow the Sangha to the city of Shravasti for almsround."

The Buddha listened, then called the monk to come before everyone. His compassionate gaze rested on the monk, and his deep, warm voice spoke.

"Nigamavasi, I hear that although you have left home, you still cling to your relatives, refusing to go far, remaining in your own town to enjoy good food. Is this true?"

The monk joined his palms and replied clearly: "Venerable Sir, I am a person who lives simply and frantically, without desire. I stay here because I feel no need to go elsewhere. Moreover, I only need to take a few steps and my relatives already fill my bowl. According to the rules, once the bowl is full, one should not seek more. Should I strive to go all the way to the capital of Shravasti to beg for more, only to have no room in my bowl? My life is very simple; I do not need much."

The Buddha smiled and nodded in praise: "Nigamavasi is truly my disciple, just like me. Living frantically, being content, without much desire—this is the practice of one who has left the world."

Then the Buddha told a Jataka story. Long ago, he was a parrot living on a lush branch. The parrot lived frantically, without desire. The celestial king, Sakra, knew this was no ordinary parrot but the manifestation of a Bodhisattva, so he wanted to test its heart. He struck a thunderbolt, breaking the abundant branch where the parrot sat. The parrot calmly stepped aside, alighting on a bare branch, remaining stable and unmoving, needing not to go elsewhere, not anxiously seeking another place.

The Buddha said, "One who lives without much desire, frantically and contentedly like this, can easily attain sainthood." Then he recited a verse:

"Those who cherish diligence and fear negligence, have drawn near to the shore of peaceful liberation."

The Buddha's praise silenced the gossip and criticism of the other monks. But in our own time, when people are too filled with afflictions (kleshas), even if their teacher praises a fellow practitioner, they may still refuse to accept it, stubbornly clinging to their own view that the person is bad. This is because we easily condemn others according to our own thoughts, without knowing that their mind may be completely different.

Remember, life becomes unsettled and chaotic only because of mutual accusations. If we practice for a long time, we will not rush to condemn anyone. Thus, our surroundings become peaceful, our mind becomes calm, and it becomes easier to practice.

The meaning of the story.

This story reminds us not to rush to condemn others based on our own thinking. Living frantically, being content, without much desire is the noble practice of one who has left the world, and it is also the foundation for easily attaining liberation.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang.