Parkdale/Brampton
Freezing Friday
There were two of them – twins – just babies,
Ronik and Ronok at six months are at an age where they receive their first
grains in the form of kheer, a rice pudding, which signifies that they
are entering a period of growth. This sweet ceremony where a brahman or
priest feeds the first spoonful is a samskara, or sacrament, and is
called anna prasanna. I was the priest.
One of them, held in parent’s hands, didn’t
take too well but the other relished it like anything. When it came to their
choice of grabbing either a book or coin, each of them took to the Gita.
Parent, family and friends were overjoyed that the two little ones are
devotionally inclined.
People in general actually do have a
propensity towards bhakti. While on a walk, south to Queen St. in
Toronto and then heading west, I realized the tendency to express love and
service is in all of us. This “best in everyone” comes through when they catch
sight of a monk.
A crossing guard/security fellow with a “STOP”
sign came to me. “You’re a monk?”
“Definitely!”
“I’m Buddhist.” He informed.
“Fantastic!”
A woman asked if I would pray for her.
“Pray for me and I’ll pray for you!”
“It’s a deal,” I said.
A man picking up a takeout delivery of
burritos remarked, “That’s a nice suit.”
“Thanks!”
Finally, a fellow devouring a pizza on some outdoor
stairs simply remarked, “God bless you, eh!”
“And you too!”
My evening was then spent in a household with
seven families. We were joyfully reviewing chapter two of the Gita. We were
in spirits.
May the Source be with you!
8 km
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