Untitled Document : หน้า 29/163

my path. Through the purity of my Precepts and these truthful words may I never again return from almsround with an empty bowl." Only then did he part with the meal. Although the dog was thin and had probably eaten nothing for days, it ate only the rice and left the banana untouched. Somewhat dismayed at this, Candasaro thought of retrieving the banana, but recalled that a bhikkhu does not take back anything which he has already given away. It was not fitting, therefore, to do so — unless, of course, someone were to re-offer it, with both hands, as is the custom.1 No such person, however, appeared. From that day forth, however, through the purity of Candasaro's Precepts and his forthrightness — he was never to return with an empty bowl from his almsround — he always had more than enough food to share with his fellow brethren. Candasaro reflected upon the difficulties he himself and his fellow brethren had experienced through lack of food. This led him to vow: "One day when I receive sufficient support from benefactors I will build a kitchen so that the monastic community can put all their energies into Scriptural study and meditation without having to worry where their next meal will come from." It would take a decade before Candasaro's dream became a reality.