The Monk Who Feared Having His Mind Read, and the Lesson of Guarding the Mind

In the late afternoon, sunlight flickered through the leaves in the garden of the village of Matica. A gentle breeze carried the scent of ripe fruit, and the sound of the bell and wooden fish from the temple echoed at steady intervals. The young monk stood among the assembly, ears pricked, listening as sixty Arahants spoke of the mother of Matica, who had cared for them from robes to meals, providing whatever they wished for. His heart suddenly surged, his cheeks burned hot, and his feet felt light, eager to leave at once:

"Someone that wonderful—whoever gives me whatever I want the moment I want it. That place must be so pleasant. I must go there!"

He had never been cared for so attentively, and hearing this story, an intense longing arose in his mind. The Buddha stood still, his gaze full of compassion, and nodded his permission for the monk to go. The monk quickly gathered his bowl and robes and set off for the village, where he found the old woman Matica sitting on the porch of her home. She smiled, her wrinkles folding softly:

"Please come and practice here, dear. I will take care of you."

On the first day, seeing that his old robe was worn and frayed, she had someone bring him a new one. He ran his fingers over the fresh cloth, and the corners of his mouth lifted. The path before the door was rough, so she had it smoothed flat. One day he craved Thai hot pot; before he could even say a word, she brought it out. He liked fresh salad rolls, and there they were. For the first few days he was overjoyed, thinking that monastic life had suddenly turned into paradise.

But on the morning of the fourth day, as he stepped into the courtyard, a cold wind blew against the back of his neck and he shivered. A thought suddenly struck him: "She lives far away, yet she knows every secret thought I have. All the wicked, foolish thoughts still in my mind—she can read them all." His heart tightened, his breath grew rapid, and with trembling hands he gathered his robes and bowl:

"How terrible! Whatever arises in my mind, she knows it completely. My mind is full of all sorts of clutter. If she knows all that, how could I ever bear it!"

He imagined her at home laughing at his absurd thoughts. His face flushed crimson, and he packed up and fled back to the Buddha, panting:

"Venerable Sir, the life there is comfortable, but I am terrified because she can read my every thought. Whatever I think, she knows. How could I dare live near her!"

The Buddha looked at him and said in a calm voice:

"I know. But why are you not afraid of me? I also know your mind. It is because I am a Buddha, more subtle and skillful than she is. She has only just attained the fruit, and so she is more obvious about it. You must return there. That place is good for your practice."

He bowed his head, his heart tangled like knotted thread, but he did not dare go against the Buddha's words. Clutching his robes and bowl, he quietly made his way back to the village. From far off, she already knew, and she continued making offerings in silence. The Buddha had instructed him:

"Do not be afraid anymore. Focus on guarding your mind. If she happens to read it, let her see compassion and wisdom within your heart. Guard it for just three days."

He remained anxious, day and night not daring to let stray thoughts arise. Whenever his mind grew restless, he reminded himself of the Buddha's words. On the morning of the fourth day, his body and mind utterly still, he attained the fruit of Arahantship. He recalled that in ninety-nine past lives she had been the wife who killed him, and in the hundredth life she had saved him. The two exchanged minds, and he explained to her the realm of the fourth fruit. Then he entered final nirvana and abandoned his body. She later ascended to the heavens and attained the path.

The Meaning of the Story

The mind is wild and unruly, spinning after desires. This monk, driven by the fear that another could read his mind, forced himself to guard and restrain it—and in only three days he attained the path. Whoever can tame the mind will find boundless peace and joy, while fleeing from desires is never as effective as facing them and keeping the mind pure.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thích Chân Quang