Once there was a monk who lived his life in a temple from his days as a young boy.
Although he was a very devout and gentle person, he was but a simple man and without any formal education.
He listened to the other monks and learned teachers, but he could not understand their educated words and terms about the Dharma.
Instead he took it as his duty to keep the area around the many Buddha images and shrines swept and clean for those that came to to worship before them.
Also he would work and tend the nearby flower garden in the temple.
When all these areas were clean and cared for he would sit quietly in one corner of that temple garden area, and quietly meditate on Buddha.
As he sat there meditating, small birds would fly up to him and bring him petals they had gthered from nearby plants, dropping them at his feet.
When his neditation was finidhed, it was his custom to gather up these flower petals, string them together into a flower garland, and later place them on the Buddha statues.
Then one day, while meditating, he had his momeny of realization .... and he became enlightened.
Although he was still a simple and uneducated man, his relization was true, and he spoke simply and quietly to many people who came to listen to him. Many people were helped on their path to understanding by his simple words, and he became well respected and honored.
But, afrer that very day of his realization, small birds no longer brought him flower petals from the garden for his floral garlands.
Do you understand the story?
