REMAIN FOCUSED

In the times of Buda, in India, the habit asked that the most beautiful woman of the city was not allowed to marry anyone, because this would cause jealousy, conflicts and fight. For this reason the most beautiful woman had to become the nagarvadhu; the wife of the whole city.

It was nothing dishonorable; on the contrary, they were much respected. They were not ordinary prostitutes; they were only visited by kings, princes and generals: the highest stratus of the society.

Amparali was very beautiful. One day she was standing at her terrace when she saw a Buddhist monk. She had never fallen in love with anyone, and suddenly she did with him: a young man with a great presence, consciousness and grace. His walking way…She ran to him and said:

-The raining season will start in three days.

Buddhist monks do not move during the four months of raining season.

-I invite you to stay at home during these four months – said Amparali.

-I will ask my master. If he permits me, I will come - answered the young monk.

The monk came, touched Buda’s feet and explained him the story.

-She has asked me to stay four months at her home. I have told her I would tell my master, and for that reason I have come…; what you command.

Buda looked into his eyes and said:

-You can stay there.

It was a big surprise. The thousand monks…There was a big silence, but there was a lot of anger, lot of jealousy. When the monk left to Amparali’s home, all the others started to comment:

-All the city is astonished. They are only speaking about it; that a Buddhist monk is at Amparali’s home.

-Keep silence - said Buda – I rely on the monk. I have looked into his eyes and have not seen any desire in them. If I would have denied, he absolutely wouldn’t have felt it. I told him to go…and he has. I rely on his consciousness, in his meditation. Why are you so agitated and worried?

Four months later the monk came back, touched Buda’s feet and behind him came Amparali dressed as a Buddhist monk. She touched Buda’s feet and said:

I have tried my best arts to seduce your monk, but it has been him, who has seduced me. He has convinced me with his presence and his consciousness that the true life is the one beneath your feet.

And Buda asked the assembly:

-Are you now satisfied or not?

If meditation is deep, if consciousness is clear, nothing can alter it. And Amparali became one of the illuminated women between Buda’s disciples.