#(Buddha) 14 Sincerity Counts, Not The Offer

Buddha, the enlightened one, Knew the future of his own, Besides the entire universe, Through his inner eyes. He went for alms, one day. Two boys, on the way, Were deeply absorbed In making toys with mud. Suddenly their attention Turned in the direction Of Buddha with his bowl, Begging food with a smile. They saw, his eyes shone With love and compassion. The eldest wished to offer him, Something to please him. Out of mud, a pie he made, And the same, he dropped In Buddha’s bowl as food, That mixed up with real food. The younger one with reverence Watched Buddha’s smiling face. Their offer, he accepted As real food, with gratitude. To the startled disciples He explained, “Sincere offers, Whatever they may be, Should be taken willingly.” “It’s the sincerity, that counts, Not the offer that comes, As the boy’s love came out From the bottom of his heart.” The elder boy took birth As an Emperor on this earth He was none other than Ashoka, the great man. The other younger one Simultaneously was born And became Ashoka’s wife, Sharing a good part of his life Buddha had his faith, On the ultimate truth, About the life linked With this material world (The noble truth, what he said)) “The first, existence of sorrow, The second, cause of sorrow, The third, cessation of sorrow, The last, eightfold-path to end sorrow.” (The eightfold path according to him) “Right thinking, Right views, Right speech, Right action, Right way of life, Right endeavor Right mindfulness, Right meditation.”