INSATIABLE
IT was the Raja’s custom to fill with gold coins the bowl of the
Bhikshu who was the first in the morning to knock at his door for
alms. Thus many a bowl had been filled. Once a new Bhikshu came
knocking at his door. The Raja dropped handfuls of gold coins in it,
but failed to fill it. His whole treasury was emptied into the bow,
but still it was not filled. The Raja marvelled at this strange
phenomenon and asked, “What is this bowl made of?
“What metal has gone into its making?”
“This bowl is made of a human heart,” replied the Bhikshu. “The
human heart is so hungry, so greedy, so discontented that it will
not be satisfied even with the gold of croesus.”
The Raja said, “You are the first to explain to me the meaning of
contentment. Man’s heart will never be satisfied till there is
contentment in life.”