A Ring of Candles

“Before leaving Ingyinbin Monastery we went once more to the Paṭipatti side. We saw a monk repairing a mango-picking pole and asked him how to find the Sayadaw. [After making a small donation at the hut,] we continued to the Dhamma hall for our last sit. It was quiet except for the rustling and chirping of creatures that activate at dusk. Half way through the sit we heard shuffling to one side, then the other. After a while it was silent again until our cellphone gong struck. Upon opening our eyes we saw that a small shrine had been erected in front of us with a Buddha statue and lit candles, and candles had been placed to our sides. Behind us was the mango monk. He had sneakily made this farewell offering, almost as though he knew we were going away.”

Steve Jarand, Canadian meditator