A True Prayer

Three hermits lived on a barren, Lonely island, cut off from the hustle and bustle of the world. They spent their time thinking of god, talking about God and singing His glory. They also read the Bible everyday. Being very simple uneducated hermits, the only prayer they offered to god was: "Oh, Lord we are three, thou, too, are three. Have mercy upon us." God was pleased with this simple and sincere prayer. So he looked after their needs and protected them from harm. For example they would find fruits and milk on the table, whenever they were hungry. There would be shelter over their heads whenever the sun became too hot or when it rained heavily. Even the wild animals on the island became their friends because the hermits were friendly, hated none and loved all as God’s creatures.

One day, a bishop who lived on the mainland came to hear of the hermits and their simple prayer. "They have not understood the Bible," Said the Bishop to himself. "Let me go and teach them the right prayers that one must offer daily to the Lord."

So the Bishop came to the island on a boat. He met the hermits, saw them pray an then, said that their prayers were too small and simple to win god’s grace. So he taught them a number of prayers, to be offered during the day, at daybreak and in the evening. Since it was getting dark, the Bishop hurried to his boat and left the island.

When the boat had gone some distance, the Bishop saw on the dark waters, a ray of light coming from the island, towards him. As he watched, a strange thing began to happen. He saw the three hearts running the water and coming to his boat. When they reached the boat, they cried out, "Father, Father, we have forgotten some of the lines from one of the prayers. Please repeat it for us."

The Bishop was still in a state of shock by what he had seen — the hermits had walked on water and even now were standing on the water. They had heard the Jesus Christ had walked on water. But the hermits too had done the same thing.

"Surely, these hermits are pure soles, "Said the Bishop to himself. God has blessed them and made them his own. What can I teach them."

So the Bishop shook his head and humbly said, "Brothers, continue to live with your prayer. God is pleased with you."

The Bishop had learnt from the hermits that true prayer comes not from the lips but from the bottom of the heart.
The Four Sights

Prince Siddhartha ventured beyond the palace walls four times, accompanied by his charioteer, and the "Four Sights" that he encountered led to his renunciation of the world.

On his first outing, Siddhartha saw a wasted man supporting himself with a stick. Chandaka explained that this was old age and that it was the fate of all living beings, including the prince.

On the second outing, the prince saw a man afflicted with a terrible disease. Again, Chandaka informed him that misfortune can strike all living beings including the prince.

On the third outing, the prince saw a corpse and Chandaka explained about nature and meaning of death.

On his fourth and final outing, Prince Siddharta saw a monk carrying a begging bowl. Chandaka then said this man had abandoned the householder’s life and had "gone forth" to lead the holy life of as ascetic in search of truth and happiness.

There and then, Prince Siddharta resolved to do the same. a