24) Chapter

Ereya's journey into the heart of the forest is guided by a mix of longing and an inexplicable pull toward something greater than himself.As he steps into a clearing, a serene village appears before him.

The morning sun filtered through the thick canopy above, casting dappled light across the humble homes made of bamboo and wood. The air was cool, tinged with the scent of fresh earth and dew on leaves. The sound of birds chirping, the rustling of the trees, and the distant flow of a river created a harmonious melody that seemed to embrace the very soul of this village.

The village, though small, feels like a sanctuary in the middle of the vast forest. The homes are modest, with roofs thatched in palm leaves, and gardens brimming with vegetables and flowers.

The people here are not adorned with jewels or the fine clothes of the court; instead, they wear simple cloth that blends with the earth, the colors of brown, green, and ochre blending seamlessly with nature.

There are rich and poor among them, but here, wealth is measured not in gold or land, but in the quality of one's heart. Ereya notices the villagers exchanging smiles and greetings, their faces calm and unburdened by the stresses of life.

At the center of the village, a group of buddhist monks in saffron robes moves gracefully in a line, receiving alms from the villagers.

The scene is tranquil, almost surreal. The villagers, clad in simple, earth-toned garments, bow with reverence, presenting offerings of rice, fruits, and flowers to the monks.

A gentle murmur of "Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu" echoes through the air, each syllable carrying a vibration of peace and devotion.

Children sit quietly beside their parents, their hands clasped in prayer, their innocent faces glowing with awe.Ereya stands at the edge of the clearing, hidden among the trees, his breath catching in his throat.

"What is this? This place... it feels untouched by the weight of the world." Ereya whispers towards  himself.

As he steps into the clearing, the villagers glance at him briefly, their expressions kind but unintrusive, welcoming him silently without breaking their reverence for the moment.

A small group of women carries trays of food adorned with fresh flowers to the monks, their movements graceful and unhurried.

Ereya stands at the edge of the gathering, feeling out of place yet unable to turn away. The villagers' joy and calmness wash over him, stirring something deep within his soul.

He watches as a young child places a garland of jasmine flowers at the feet of one of the monks, his small hands trembling with excitement. The monk smiles gently, offering a blessing that seems to radiate warmth.

Monks walk in a serene line, their saffron robes flowing gracefully as they receive alms with humble gratitude.

Ereya, dressed as a commoner, stands among the villagers, his heart heavy with a strange mix of nervousness and reverence.

"Such peace in their faces... such calm in their every step. They carry no riches, no weapons, no power—and yet, they seem to hold everything that I have longed for." Ereya thought as watching the monks as they approach."

As the monks approach, Ereya begins to feel nervous.

He looks down at his hands, realizing they are empty, and a wave of shame washes over him. As the monks draw nearer, he fumbles, unsure of what to do.

"I have nothing to give. I'm just... one of commner now. What can I offer?" Ereya spelled nervously.

Then, as if guided by an unseen force, he begins removing his jewelry—rings, bracelets, even the pendant around his neck. He kneels, holding the jewelry in trembling hands, and offers it to the monks.

" I offer these, not for status, but as a token of my gratitude. May they help others, as I seek peace within myself. I have nothing more to give but this... and my deepest respect."

He places the jewelry before the monks, his heart light but filled with vulnerability. For the first time, he feels the weight of his royal past fall away.

The monks pause, their serene eyes meeting Ereya's with a depth of understanding.

They accept his offering without a word, a silent acknowledgment of his gesture.

As Ereya rises from his bow, he feels a wave of calm wash over him, the act of surrendering his past somehow freeing him.

As he stands, he saw her "the Wild Buddhist Girl", standing a little away from the gathering, her eyes already fixed on him.

Her hands hold a small bundle of lotus flowers. She watches Ereya with quiet curiosity, her eyes softening as she sees his earnest offering.

She steps forward, her bare feet moving soundlessly on the earth. From the bundle of eight lotus flowers, she gently separates five and walks toward him.

"Take these, Sir. The purity of a lotus needs no wealth to bloom—it offers itself freely, as should we, in worship." She spelled quietly.

Ereya looks up, startled by her presence, and for a moment, he is captivated by her quiet grace. Her voice carried no judgment, only kindness.

He smiles, his eyes reflecting gratitude and something deeper he cannot yet name. He accepts the flowers and places them before the monks. Together, they worshipped in reverence.

The almsgiving concluded, and the monks retreat to their shaded tree seating area.

The villagers gather as the monks begin to recite the Dharma.

Their voices are steady, rhythmic, and filled with wisdom, carrying the teachings like a gentle wind across the gathered crowd.

Ereya and the Wild Buddhist Girl sat side by side, their hearts quiet as they listen.

"The Day That Passed"

In the sacred city of Dambadiva,

At the Devram Vihara stupa,

The day our lord Buddha resided there."

The chief monk begins to narrate a story of Lord Buddha to the listeners, drawing them into a profound retelling of wisdom and moral lessons from his teachings.

"A monk, while collecting alms on his path,

Becomes captivated by a young woman of great beauty,

Falling in love and succumbing to her charms,

He strays from the path of monastic discipline."

"The Buddha, addressing the gathered monks in the Dhamma assembly,"

Recalled a previous life where he was born as Prince Kusa,

And Pabawathi was a lady in that life.

Through the suffering and sorrow he experienced because her,

He illustrated the teachings of the Kusa Jataka."

"Blinded by the bonds of desire,

Even the Bodhisattva ( one whos on th epath of being the buddha) experienced faults and suffering.

What then can be said of ordinary, struggling beings?

O people, this is the word of the Buddha."

The monks continue their recitation of the Dharma, and Ereya, moved by the deep teachings, listens intently.

As they recite the ancient story of Prince Kusa, Ereya is struck by the weight of the words and the sorrow within them. He turns to the Wild Buddhist Girl, who sits calmly beside him, her presence still and serene.

He whispers, his voice filled with curiosity and a desire to understand.

"What does this story mean? The tale of Prince Kusa and Pabawathi... What is the Buddha trying to teach us through this?" Ereya spelled softly.

Buddhist Girl, still gazing at the monks with a peaceful expression, turns her head slightly to meet his eyes.

"This is the story of the Kusa Jataka, Sir. It is one of the many lifetimes the Buddha lived before attaining enlightenment, when he was still the Bodhisattva—someone who had made the vow to become a Buddha but had not yet fully realized his potential. " She pauses.

"In this story, the Bodhisattva was born as Prince Kusa, a kind and compassionate ruler, beloved by his people for his wisdom. But the karma from his previous lives followed him, and when he was born, he was cursed with an appearance that was far from beautiful. His body was disfigured, and his face was scarred in ways that no one could ignore." She continues

She pauses, her gaze steady and soft as she looks at Ereya, her voice filled with the weight of the story's sorrow.

"His parents, desperate to find him a beautiful and worthy consort, arranged for him to marry Princess Pabawathi, the most beautiful princess in the kingdom. Despite his inner wisdom and kindness, Kusa was forced to hide his true appearance behind a veil of shame, fearing that no one could love him if they saw him for who he truly was."

She lets the silence linger for a moment before continuing.

"And so, Prince Kusa lived with Princess Pabawathi in comfort and joy, but the joy was short-lived. One day, when Kusa could no longer hide his true face, he revealed himself to Pabawathi, showing her the ugliness he had carried all his life. But Pabawathi, shocked and horrified by his appearance, rejected him, accusing him of lying and deceiving her."

Ereyas heart stinked as he listens.

"That must have been a terrible pain for him... to be rejected for something he could not control, something from his past." Ereya asked.

"Yes, Sir. It was a great burden for Kusa. His sorrow and humiliation were immense. And so, in his grief, he took a humble step—a step that many would not take. He disguised himself and secretly worked in Princess Pabawathi's palace for years  as a cook, serving her and watching her from a distance. He longed to see her face, even though she had rejected him, and so he lived in silence, toiling in the shadows, hoping for her forgiveness." She spelled nodding.

"How could she  I mean Pabawathi not see the kindness in his heart? How could she not see the truth of who he was?" Ereya asked.

"It was the blindness of attachment and the power of outward appearances that clouded her judgment. In the story, Kusa's father, the king, learned of his son's suffering and ordered Pabawathi to return to Kusa. But Pabawathi, still blinded by her rejection, refused to return. She chose pride over reconciliation, and in her refusal, she condemned herself to further suffering."

She continues with a quiet compassion.

"But the story takes a turn. The king, enraged by his daughter-in-law's stubbornness, ordered for Pabawathi to be killed. At this moment, Kusa, in the midst of his own suffering, could not bear to see her harmed. He saved Pabawathi's life in the final moments, risking everything to protect her."

"He saved her, even after everything she had done to him... even after rejecting him in the cruelest way." Ereya asked nervously.

"Yes Sir. Kusa's love and compassion were greater than his own suffering. When Pabawathi saw that Kusa had risked everything to protect her, her heart softened. She forgave him for the pain he had caused her, and in that moment of forgiveness, something miraculous happened. Kusa's face, once twisted by the consequences of his past karma, transformed. It became beautiful—handsome, as he had always been in spirit." she said

"Dasabaladhari Lord Buddha, even in his previous lives, experienced the weight of desire, attachment, and sorrow Sir. Though he was destined to become the awakened one, even long time ago he was not free from these challenges." She continues.

"The suffering that Prince Kusa endured—the loss, the longing, the conflict—were all caused by the very bonds of desire that entrap all beings. In the end, he learned that the only way to end suffering is to release these attachments."

"So, even the Buddha—who was destined for enlightenment—was not free from desire. If even he could be trapped by it, what hope do I have?" Ereya spelled.

"That is  the teaching, Sir. The Buddha's path was not one of perfection, but one of learning, just as we all must learn. Even the Bodhisattva—before he became the Buddha—was caught in the web of desire. He struggled, he suffered, and yet through that suffering, he realized the path to true freedom: to let go of attachment."

She places a hand gently on his, her touch warm and reassuring.

"Desire, attachment, and craving—they bind us to suffering. But the Buddha teaches us that we can be free. Not by denying our feelings, but by recognizing them, understanding their roots, and then letting go. When we stop clinging, when we stop wanting, that is when peace comes."

"I... I must ask you something." Ereya spelled quietly.

"Hmmm" She said.

"What is your name?" Ereya spelled after a moment of hesitatation.

There was a brief pause. The Wild Buddhist Girl's eyes soften, and she seems to consider the question carefully, as if choosing the right moment to share something personal.

"Madhavi"She spelled quietly.

Ereyas s heart stirs at the sound of her name, a name that feels both delicate and profound, like the lotus flowers they had offered to the monks earlier Madhavi... he repeats it quietly to himself, as if savoring the sweetness of the name itself.

He felt a quiet joy rise within him, as though something beautiful has just bloomed in his heart, much like the lotus flowers.

"Your name is as beautiful just as your soul, Madhavi." He spelled queitly.

Madhavi, hearing the sincerity in his voice, offers him a gentle smile in return. Her eyes, which had always carried a quiet wisdom, now seem to shine with a soft, understanding light.