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Loving Kindness Chronicles - Africa

From Jinja, we returned to Country Lake in Entebbe for the team to spend the night. After breakfast, Bhante
Buddharakkhita and I discussed the new regulations recently passed by the President of Uganda. Due to the surge

of COVID-19 cases, the whole country of Uganda was now restricted from all activities such as social gathering,
religious services and traveling. The circumstances somewhat made the atmosphere of our meeting this morning
quite melancholy. We presented all information regarding the lockdown and discussed options for the team’s next
step. In the end, sadly we had to decide to cut the trip short and return home.
Indeed, impermanence is present at all times and in all places. To me, although our trip was cut short, the joy
we got to experience here was very meaningful. Do you still remember Jinja? It is where Bhante Sangharakkhita
and six of the novice monks are from. That day as we were leaving, the former general and a woman came to me
and Bhante to ask for her ordination to become a Buddhist nun. Also, at the next location with the school facing
the two mountains, it was here, at this very location, where after we had left, the people there were so moved with
gratitude, they called to express their appreciation and wanted to learn about our faith and beliefs. In response to
their enthusiasm, I explained: “We are Buddhists but whichever the religion is, it is not so important. The most
important thing is you have given us the opportunity to come here on behalf of all the benefactors to ease some of
the burdens in your lives.” To our great surprise, a representative on behalf of the villagers announced that they
wished for 100 of their children to become novice monks and study at the Uganda Buddhist Centre. Oh what a
magnificent joy, isn’t it? Truly, the journey to Jinja has been the most challenging and arduous, but in return,
there was so much joy, such great joy! One day, 100 novice monks and 1 nun will become disciples of the Bud-
dha in Uganda not too far from now.
All notions of regrets disappeared upon hearing the village representative’s announcement. The whole team
was thrilled by the news and with so many emotions, there were goosebumps and chills along with the joyous
echoes of Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu! What a blessing! In an instant, the fatigue from sleepless nights and lack of ap-
petite of the past several days all disappeared too. What remained were only melodious notes of joyfulness flow-
ing through the mind.
Such a short trip has brought many significant and lasting benefits, is there any greater happiness? But even
so, there is simply not enough space to accommodate so many novice monks at the center. For that reason, only
24 were accepted and the rest will be ordained when they have enough monk’s robes, alms bowls and living ac-
commodations. The current project to construct a 6 story building with 60 rooms for the monks’ residence at the
Uganda Buddhist Centre has only the first floor completed due to a lack of funding.
For the past several days in Africa, Huong Tu has certainly left many beautiful images in the hearts of the peo-
ple here in many aspects. The image of the monks’ robes appearing in the lives of the people in need has more or
less attracted the attention and curiosity of many people. Just as a story we recalled of how the Buddha helped a
youth named Maṭṭhakuṇḍali:

Once upon a time when the Buddha was residing in the kingdom of Savatthi, as usual he surveyed the world to see
who was destined for him to help that day. Afterwards, he put on his robe neatly and went out for alms with the Maha-
sangha. He eventually made his way to the house of the Brāhmin Adinnapubbaka and stood at the gate.

At that moment, the Brāhmin’s young son, Maṭṭhakuṇḍali, was very ill and he was lying facing the interior of the
house. The Buddha knew that Maṭṭhakuṇḍali could not see him so he sent forth a ray of light to attract the attention of
the youth. The youth asked himself: “What is this light?” Then from where he was lying, he turned to look and as soon
as he saw the Buddha, he thought to himself: “I have a father who is sadly undiscerning and ignorant, so there was no
opportunity for us to meet the Buddha like this and make food offerings or listen to sutras and his Dharma discourses.
Now I have met him but my body is weak and paralyzed, I cannot move, if only I could now regain my strength to do all
those things.” With that thought, Maṭṭhakuṇḍali put all of his pure faith in the Buddha.

The Buddha kindly said: “That is enough,” and he walked away. The young Maṭṭhakuṇḍali kept his gaze on the
Buddha until he was no longer in sight. Maṭṭhakuṇḍali took his very last breath with his heart pure in devotion to the
Buddha and just like a person gently waking up from a slumber, Maṭṭhakuṇḍali was reborn into the celestial realm.

Certainly, we would never venture to compare ourselves with the Buddha, a great man of this universe and a
kind father to us all. However, the story of how the Buddha passed through Maṭṭhakuṇḍali’s life has made us con-
template our own appearance here the past several days. Even though the core purpose of Huong Tu Foundation
has always been to make a positive impact through loving kindness for the betterment of all humanity. We aim to
join hands and help alleviate some of the hardships in the lives of those less fortunate. Perhaps our images have
also left a lasting impression in the memory of the people here. We also would not venture to say or think that we
could help anyone end all sufferings. It just so happens that perhaps this is the opportunity for us to one day walk
together with lotuses in hand on the vast hill of liberation. After all, is it not the main goal of every faith and reli-
gion to want all beings to be free from suffering?
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