The poor man had nothing—just bread, salt, and kukurmutt curry. Many tried to stop him; even the emperor came to offer the invitation, but Buddha said, “It is late, as I've accepted one already.”
The curry was bitter, poisonous—but Buddha ate with joy. He praised the meal, saying, “How lovingly you have cooked! How full of delight! I have eaten in palaces, in the homes of emperors, yet never with such love as yours.”
But as Buddha returned to his residence, the poison spread. Doctors were called—but it was too late. Buddha passed away from that very poison.
Before dying, he called Anand close and whispered, “Go to the village and announce: the man in whose home I had my last meal is supremely fortunate. Just as my first meal was shared with my mother, this last meal was shared with a man who embodies the same grace. Let it be known: the one who hosts the final meal of a Buddha is truly blessed.”
Anand protested, “Master, people may misunderstand, they may blame him for your death!”
Buddha said, “That is why I ask. Do it, so that after my death, the poor man does not suffer.
Death came from the poison, yes—but within Him, there is only compassion and joy. Let him not bear the weight of blame. Let history not write that he caused harm..."
~ Translated from Nirvan Upanishad by Osho (Hindi Discourse), Discourse 5
No comments:
Post a Comment