Walking down the busy street, Dr. Krisha passes a large wedding party of more than a hundred guests. Many voices call out to him, "Join us, good doctor!". Dr. Krishna thinks to himself that more than half the town must be present, just as the host, now at his side, invites him to join the festivities.
"No, sir, but thank you," the shy brown man bows respectfully.
"No, please, sir, bless our newly weds with your presence," begs the father, steering the other man with gentle, open arms towards the centre of the gathering.
"We have meats and wines, our tables are dressed ready to rejoice in this wonderful day," says the mother of the bride, "Come and eat of our foods!"
Dr. Krisha relents. His salutations he gives all, even those who have been drinking wine all afternoon and now stagger and now stumble and now whose only words are foolishness. He blesses the young couple at the centre of the gathering with long lives, good health and insight enough to seek the beauty, magic and truth of love. But so many words are being spoken to the blissful two that they only nod dutifully before receiving the next guests.
The tables are indeed groaning, notes the doctor, and the wine pots overflowing. It will get noisy, he sighs. Next to him, another guest is shaking the hands of the happy in-laws as he speaks aloud: Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of this blessed opportunity of life, because the days are short and the temptation to their myriad distractions are great. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but seek the Truth, abide there and know no more suffering.
A worthy wedding gift, smiles Dr. Krishna. Though these people will eat their fill this day, tomorrow they will be hungry again. Though these people will eat today, tomorrow they may suffer the ills of this world and some may die. As a doctor, the tall, brown man of many years this lesson well. He bends down to a young boy who is sitting at the edge of the feast, watching with wide eyes at all he sees. In his hand he holds a piece of sweet bread, but the festive din holds his attention more than the tasty food. Dr. Krishna, watching his fellow villagers for a moment too, says to the boy, to no one, to himself:
A man needs bread to make his bones grow strong, yet there is the bread of Truth, and true wine that grant eternal life free from this cycle of suffering and pleasure seeking, of aversion, of attraction and of dullness. Whoever eats of these and lives with wisdom can know Love, can let go of sin to love all and serve all in the name of that Love. Knowing this, living this, being this, there is no fear, no clinging, no foolishness and a life wasted, a chance missed. Eat this bread, drink this wine and be free.
The little boy looks up at Dr. Krishna. Surprisingly, he nods and puts down the bread in his hand. He is still nodding even as the doctor leaves the gathering, continuing his walk down the busy street.
"No, sir, but thank you," the shy brown man bows respectfully.
"No, please, sir, bless our newly weds with your presence," begs the father, steering the other man with gentle, open arms towards the centre of the gathering.
"We have meats and wines, our tables are dressed ready to rejoice in this wonderful day," says the mother of the bride, "Come and eat of our foods!"
Dr. Krisha relents. His salutations he gives all, even those who have been drinking wine all afternoon and now stagger and now stumble and now whose only words are foolishness. He blesses the young couple at the centre of the gathering with long lives, good health and insight enough to seek the beauty, magic and truth of love. But so many words are being spoken to the blissful two that they only nod dutifully before receiving the next guests.
The tables are indeed groaning, notes the doctor, and the wine pots overflowing. It will get noisy, he sighs. Next to him, another guest is shaking the hands of the happy in-laws as he speaks aloud: Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of this blessed opportunity of life, because the days are short and the temptation to their myriad distractions are great. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but seek the Truth, abide there and know no more suffering.
A worthy wedding gift, smiles Dr. Krishna. Though these people will eat their fill this day, tomorrow they will be hungry again. Though these people will eat today, tomorrow they may suffer the ills of this world and some may die. As a doctor, the tall, brown man of many years this lesson well. He bends down to a young boy who is sitting at the edge of the feast, watching with wide eyes at all he sees. In his hand he holds a piece of sweet bread, but the festive din holds his attention more than the tasty food. Dr. Krishna, watching his fellow villagers for a moment too, says to the boy, to no one, to himself:
A man needs bread to make his bones grow strong, yet there is the bread of Truth, and true wine that grant eternal life free from this cycle of suffering and pleasure seeking, of aversion, of attraction and of dullness. Whoever eats of these and lives with wisdom can know Love, can let go of sin to love all and serve all in the name of that Love. Knowing this, living this, being this, there is no fear, no clinging, no foolishness and a life wasted, a chance missed. Eat this bread, drink this wine and be free.
The little boy looks up at Dr. Krishna. Surprisingly, he nods and puts down the bread in his hand. He is still nodding even as the doctor leaves the gathering, continuing his walk down the busy street.
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