JATAKA TALES

The Happy Monk ( Joys of the Spiritual Life )

Once upon a time, there was a rich man who realized that the suffering of old age afflicted both the rich and poor alike. So he gave up his wealth and upper class status to live as a humble forest monk. He practiced meditation and developed his mind by freeing himself from unwholesome thoughts. Soon he became very contented and happy. His peacefulness and friendliness gradually drew 500 followers to his side.

At that time, most monks usually looked pretty serious and stern. However, there was a peculiar monk, though dignified, who always wore a little smile. No matter what happened, he never lost this glimmer of inner happiness. He even had the broadest smile and the warmest laughter of all on happy occasions.

Monks, as well as others, would sometimes ask him why he was always so happy and smiling. "If I tell you, you wouldn't believe me! And if you think I lied, it would be a dishonour to my master," he chuckled. The wise old master knew the source of happiness that could not be erased from his face. And so, he made this happiest monk his right-hand assistant.

One year, after the rainy season, the old master and the 500 monks travelled to the city. When they were staying in the city during spring, the king permitted them to live in his pleasure garden.

The king was a good man who took his responsibilities as a ruler seriously. He tried to protect his people from danger, and increase their prosperity and welfare. Besides having to act as a mediator frequently between his own rival ministers of state, he also had to worry about hostile neighbouring kings from invading his country.

Sometimes his wife fought for his attention, and for the advancement of their sons. Occasionally, dissatisfied subjects would also come threatening to kill him! And, of course, he also had to worry constantly about the finances of the kingdom. In fact, he had so much to worry about, that he never had time to be happy!

As summer approached, he learned that the monks were preparing to return to the forest. Considering the health and welfare of the old leader, the king went to him and implored him to stay. "Your reverence, you are now very old and weak. What good does it do to go back to the forest? Why don't you send your followers back while you remain here?" he beseeched.

The chief monk then called his right-hand assistant to him and said: "I now appoint you as the deputy chief monk. All of you are to return to the forest. As I as too old and weak, I will remain here as kindly requested by the king." The 500 monks returned to their abode in the forest and the old master stayed behind.

The deputy chief monk continued his meditation practice diligently in the forest. He gained so much wisdom and peace that he became even happier than before. He missed his master and wanted to share his happiness with him. So he returned to the city for a visit.

When he arrived, he sat on a rug at the feet of the old monk. They didn't speak very much, but every so often the young monk would say: "What happiness! Oh what happiness!"

Shortly, the king came to visit. He paid his respects to the chief monk. Instead of showing proper respect by greeting the king, the young monk from the forest repeatedly uttered: "What happiness! Oh what happiness!" This disturbed the king greatly. "With all my worries, busy schedules and heavy responsibilities, I take time out for a visit and this monk here does not even respect me enough to recognize my existence. How insulting!" he thought. "Venerable sir, this monk must be indolent from overeating. That must be why he is so full of happiness. Does he lie around here so lazy all the time?" he asked the senior monk.

The chief monk replied: "Oh king, have patience and I will tell you the source of his happiness. Not many know it. He was once a king, just as rich and mighty as you! Then one day, he gave up his kingly life and was ordained a monk. Now he thinks his past happiness as a king was nothing compared to the joy and contentment he is presently experiencing!"

"He used to be surrounded by armed men to protect him. Now, sitting alone in the forest with nothing to fear, he has no need for guards. He has given up worrying about having to protect his wealth and kingdom. Free from worries, his meditation practice advances to such a stage of inner peace that he cannot help but say again and again: "What happiness! Oh what happiness!" His wisdom protects himself and other," continued the chief monk.

The king understood at once. Hearing the story of the happy monk made him feel at peace. He stayed for a while and received advice from both. Then he honoured them and returned to his palace.

Meanwhile, the happy monk, who had once been a king, paid respects to his master and returned to the forest. The old chief monk, on the other hand, lived till a ripe old age before passing away to be reborn in a heavenly realm.