117-Saying goodbye - Buddhism in daily life

Saying goodbye


In a very popular monastery, the moment came for one of the
masters when life would soon come to an end. When he felt the
foreboding he went into his hermitage, bathed, shaved and cut his
hair one last time. Then he put on his most beautiful robe, went
into the banquet hall, called the younger monks together.


When all the inhabitants of the temple were gathered, the wise
master raised his voice, instructed the novice to ring the bell
and, in a calm but collected manner, explained his request,
namely his wish to say goodbye to all the disciples and to go his
last way surrounded by the monks.


As soon as he had finished, his life energy became weaker and
weaker, his inner strength left him, the disciples became
frightened, the master was a great role model in the whole world,
he was loved and revered, to see him like this frightened his
followers, a great howling filled the hall, all those present had
tears in their eyes.


The Master, who was already almost in another world, was
frightened and opened his eyes, which had been closed almost
forever, suddenly there was strength in him again, the suffering
of his brothers touched him. He said to them: a true follower of
Buddha should not be measured by worldly feelings, but have a
free and independent mind. We teach people that life consists of
suffering, but if we masters and our novices also suffer in the
same way as all other living beings, then something is not right,
not as the great teacher taught us. Certainly, human existence is
difficult, life consists mainly of suffering, birth, old age,
illness and death are the lot of all living beings, but
complaining about it does not bring any change.


No matter what the wise master told his disciples and confreres,
the lamentation around him did not diminish, the tears flowed,
the voices failed. Then the wise master gathered all his energy
once more, he wanted to live on until his confreres and novices
had understood this last lesson.


So he said: "We want to have a feast together once more, and I
would like to explain to you the lesson of saying goodbye. I
cannot leave without leaving you this important wisdom.
Afterwards I want to go in peace, please do not make it difficult
for me to say goodbye.


No sooner said than done, the monks and novices jumped apart,
seeing hope again, wanting to keep their master alive as long as
possible. When the master then asked when the feast might take
place, he was given all kinds of excuses to postpone his
departure as long as possible. Sometimes the monk was ill,
sometimes there was another reason. Then the moment came when the
matter could no longer be postponed, the banquet took place. At
the end, the master raised his voice one last time, trying to
convey to his fellow monks that, according to Buddha's teaching,
taking leave must be done without complaining and lamenting, so
that the one who is leaving can also leave in peace.


One of the senior monks stood up and said: "We know about the
Buddha's teachings, but when you are personally affected as you
are now, it is really difficult to let go of attachments. We know
that you, as our master, will understand this best. The monk sat
down, the old master got up and left the hall without a greeting.
Once in his room, he sat down in the lotus position and passed
away.


The path is the goal!


Do not ask about the origin, but ask about the conduct; for
truly, fire is made from wood.


- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 before
the year zero