1000 pieces of Candy

I was in India and we were going to a famous Cave of many Cave Yogis over the last 1000s of years. It was a special day so many people were going there as a spiritual journey and quest.

But, what I never would have expected was 1000s of lepers on both sides of the path there begging from all the spiritual pilgrims visiting this site. As a westerner I never in my life expected to ever see one leper let alone 1000s of them lining the path with noses gone and often fingers and toes gone from leprosy. Knowing that about 4 dollars worth of medicine for each of these people likely would have prevented this disease this also was horrific for me to see for this reason as well.

The Tibetan Lama who was showing us this Cave that many Yogis became enlightened in(I think it might have been called the Maha Kala Cave by Tibetan Buddhists bought about 1000 pieces of Candy. Since we were with him we watched and walked alongside him as he gave one piece of candy to each and every leper.

As a westerner I had to try to imagine the experiences of people who were lepers and what their experience would have been receiving blessings and a piece of candy from an Enlightened Tibetan Lama there in India. I began thinking what it must be for someone who might not have eaten a good meal possibly ever, and who might not have eaten or had enough good water to drink in 2 days or more being given and eating a piece of candy. What an amazing and strange experience that must be good, bad indifferent. But still, being recognized as a being of worth by an enlightened master would help keep them alive another day, another week, another year or possibly even for a lifetime!

This happened early in 1986 in Bihar State of India near within a few hours by bus of Bodhgaya, India