The Buddhist Monk vs Amrapali the Courtesan
Meditation is living in awareness. When we meditate daily, sitting on our asan, we teach ourselves to be aware. We carry this awareness with us into our daily lives. When our meditation is deep and the awareness is clear, we remain undisturbed despite all sorts of storms and whirlwinds that blow in our lives. We are aware of our thoughts and the reactions of others. We take conscious decisions and act after thinking. Our strings are not manipulated by others. We remain free and independent and do not become victims of circumstances.
Regular and deep meditation teaches us that we can live in this world and yet not be of it. We will consciously not permit the world to live in us. The awareness of the meditation helps us in right thinking, speech and action. Despite a long array of temptations in form of gossip, backbiting, lust, attachment, power mongering, etc., that pass us and call out to us powerfully, we can still calmly think and act in the right manner and do the right thing as per our ethics, principles and dharma.
The story of the Buddhist monk and Amrapali teaches us this truth of how awareness of meditation helps us in overcoming temptation and be steady in our goals in life:
Amrapali was one of the most beautiful women of Vaishali region. She was a famous courtesan who was favoured by the famous kings, rich merchants, powerful generals and good-looking noblemen. She had a large palatial home and beautiful green gardens and was a wealthy woman. She was the epitome of beauty and temptation. Men would do anything to get her attention and love.
Buddha had arrived at Vaishali region and his monks went out to different homes for taking biksha or offerings of food. Amrapali was standing on her terrace when she saw a young Buddhist monk arrive for receiving alms. He had strong presence and strength in his bearing and his eyes were peaceful. His entire bearing radiated love and grace. Amrapali was attracted to him and rushed down to offer him food. She said to him: After three days, the rainy season starts and then you can stay here in my home for the coming four months of rains. The monk replied: I will speak to Buddha and if he permits, I will stay here.
The other monks in the group were terribly jealous and angry when this particular monk was singled out for attention by the beautiful and gracious Amrapali. They rushed to Buddha and complained about this monk that he had sought the attention of Amrapali and would be staying at her place for the rainy season. The monk finished his rounds and went to Buddha and informed him. Buddha looked into his eyes and found calm awareness and strength of purpose. So he permitted the young monk to stay during the rainy season at the palace of the prostitute. The other monks were shocked and outraged but had to keep quiet as it was Buddha’s orders. But everyone felt that Buddha was trusting the young monk too much and taking unnecessary ill advised risks.
At the end of four months, the young monk returned and touched Buddha’s feet. Behind him was Amrapali in the garb of a nun. She touched Buddha’s feet and said: I tried my best to seduce your monk but his peace, strength and faith in dharma seduced me. I wish to join your order. I offer my home and palace to you so that the monks can use them during their stay here.
Buddha looked around at the assembly of monks and asked them: Are you all now satisfied? And Amrapali became one of the enlightened women among Buddha's disciples.
Meditation gives us exceptional strength, awareness and purpose to face the turmoil of the world and all the resulting temptations. Let us be regular in the SitaRam mantra japa, meditation and following the teachings of the Guru and live in this world like the lotus in the murky waters of the pond.
