Rude Awakenings - Forest Sangha Publications

^0 S E C O N D M O O N 06That topic lasted us most of the morning. It was a delight when wecould talk like that; Ajahn Sucitto could be such a mine of information.We were still discussing Venerable Ananda as we walked on afterthe meal but the heat of the afternoon and the trunk road soon put anend to that. Instead we went back to trudging along with our headsdown, in our own worlds—mine soon a fog of fatigue and negativityas I trailed some way behind him. The brief feeling of companionshiphad evaporated. I found, though, that however fed up I got with everythingI could never get that angry with my companion because of thebasic respect I had for him. We were just both in this together, comewhat may.A motorbike pulled up as we walked on. “Excuse me, what is yournative place?” The question was there before we were aware of the questioner,now dismounting.“We are from England.”“And what is the purpose of your visit?” A small crowd began to form.“We are on a walking pilgrimage.”“I am asking why it is that you are walking?” Our questioner stood inour path confident that he had the right to interrogate us. It was is onthe trunk roads that we met such educated Indians, and some could beso arrogant. “And what is your opinion of India?” Ajahn Sucitto patientlyanswered the questions as a larger and larger crowd coalesced to stareat us. The problem with this kind of man was that he did not want us toleave; having us answer his questions fed his feeling of self-importance.He simply replied to my suggestions that we must be moving along withanother question. This time, after some fifteen minutes of questions, Ihit on the solution.“It has been most enjoyable speaking to you. Thank you so much foryour very interesting questions.” The flattery stunned him momentarily.“Goodbye.” We managed to turn and escape before he could recover.The trunk road was the most direct route to our next holy site, Vaishali.It led southeast, crossing the only bridge over the Great Gandak1 0 6