Devotee’s Sin and Buddha’s Wisdom
A story of the day when Buddha died.
O n the last day of Buddha’s life, he was invited to dinner by a Smith (Cunda Kammāraputta).
And that meal became the reason for Buddha’s death.
The poverty-stricken smith didn’t have too many things to offer to Buddha. However, he collected some wild mushrooms grown in the woods during the rainy season.
With utmost dedication, the smith cooked the mushroom and offered Buddha to eat in a banana leaf. The meal was distasteful as poison but impressed by the substantial devotion of the Smith, Buddha ate it with affable delicacy.
He tried his best to veil the distaste of wild mushroom and kept eating like it’s the most delectable meal ever.
The Smith kept inquiring in-between — “Master, how is the meal?”
In reply, Buddha only smiled.
Buddha’s smile provoked the Smith even more; he thought Buddha liked it, so he kept adding the dish. Buddha smilingly continued eating.
But inside Buddha’s body, the toxin from Mushroom was spreading and was beginning to show its reaction. He fell seriously ill after the meal and was immediately rushed to a herbalist (Vaidhya).
After examining Buddha’s condition and listening to the happenings the Vaidhya asked Buddha- You knew everything from the beginning, isn’t it? Why didn’t you stop the Smith?
Again, Buddha replied with a smile. Why do I?
We all have to die one day, either this day or another. Then why do I forfeit the boundless love and devotion for a perpetual truth like mortality?
I accepted his genuine love, devotion, and hopefulness towards me. And while doing that, the fear of dying never even crossed my mind even once.
