Lord Buddha and Wakkali Thero

In Savatthi there was a young man called Wakkali who admired the Buddha's beauty. One day he thought, "So long as I am living at home I cannot see the Buddha, but if I become a monk I would see him daily." So he went to the temple and was ordained by the Buddha.

Now he had the opportunity to always admire the Buddha's appearance. He did nothing all day but follow the Buddha like a shadow. The Buddha waited for Wakkali's wisdom to ripen, saying not a word. But instead of reading, learning and meditating Wakkali just admired the Buddha. The Buddha thought, "Unless this monk gets a shock he will never come to understand."

So one day the Buddha had an invitation to spend the three months rains retreat in Rajagaha and he left Wakkali behind.

Wakkali was very disappointed and began to think, "Three months is a long time. What a miserable period I will have to spend. What is the use of living any longer? I will throw myself off Vultures' Peak."

Now the Buddha, staying in Rajagaha, saw with his mind's eye Wakkali about to jump off Vultures' Peak. "If this monk gets no comfort or consolation from me he will kill himself," he thought. The Buddha immediately sent forth a radiant image of himself and there, on the edge of the summit at Vultures' Peak, Wakkali saw the Buddha before him and felt his sorrow vanish. Wakkali's mind was filled with joy and he thought, "The person who has perfect faith in the Buddha will be full of joy and satisfaction. The person who has perfect faith in the Buddha will reach the place of peace and happiness."

(http://www.metta.lk/mirror/www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/lifebuddha/30lbud.htm)

Charles praises volunteers at London Vihara

Heir to the British throne Prince Charles paid tribute to the many volunteers in London who were working to get relief items to those affected by the tsunamis in Sri Lanka saying that their actions "reinforces his faith in love and compassion that is in every single human being."

The Prince paid the tribute when he visited London Buddhist Vihara in Chiswick on Thursday and met with the volunteers who have been working for several days to ready the items to be sent here. "We hear a certain amount about how as a result of this terrible disaster, people's faith might be challenged, and it is very easy to understand how that might happen. But nevertheless, I think it has also helped in a strange way to reveal the love and compassion that exists in people's hearts, otherwise we would not have had this remarkable reaction," the Prince said in his speech.

Prince Charles said he was happy he was to see persons of different nationalities working together and said he wanted to visit the Vihara to show support and solidarity for all those in Sri Lanka and elsewhere who have suffered so terribly because of disaster.

" It is inspiring, to see the outpouring of generosity which has taken place in this country and, if I may say so, also through some of my organisations, for instance Business in the Community, an organisation of which I have been President for the last 20 years, and the International Business Leaders Forum." Prince Charles said.

The Prince was met on arrival at the Vihara by Sri Lanka's High Commissioner Faisz Musthapha. The chief incumbent of the London Vihara Dr. Medagama Vajiragnana Thera said the actions of the volunteers exemplified the message of compassion of the Buddha.

(http://www.sundaytimes.lk/050109/news/13.html)