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checked longyi and a fawn-colored jacket. There wasn't any mirror in his house, so he looked at his reflection in a pond. And he put a traditional kerchief on his head."
"Your story about Nga Khon Sayadaw is very interesting. Please continue."
"After getting dressed up, he went to see his young benefactress and began to court her. With that the young woman spoke the words for which he would be grateful for the rest of his life. She said, "Sir, is it because you think you and I are alike, you and I are equal? Sir, please leave at once!" With this strong ultimatum, she refused him.
He was so ashamed by her refusal that he fled to the golden city of Mandalay, where some monks from his area were studying. He went to the monks and asked them to ordain him as a novice. At first they didn't want to. But he begged them, saying, "This time I'll stay in robes for good. I'll do whatever work you give me. And I'll study hard to learn my lessons." So they ordained him.
Having ordained, he did whatever tasks they gave him. He studied very hard. Because of this he became famous for his scholarship. Due to his widespread reputation the king himself came to pay respects to him and relied upon him. The king even rewarded him with a title. After becoming so renowned and revered, the Sayadaw reflected on the story his life. He thought, "I have come to this point in my life thanks to that young woman I met when I was young. If she hadn't spoken to me as she did, if she hadn't rejected me, I wouldn't be here now. My debt to her is very great." In this way he came to see how she had helped him.
And so, when he was meeting with the king, he mentioned that he would like to repay someone who had once helped him. When the king heard this he said, "Bhante, what is it you need? Whatever you need, please tell me, Bhante." The Sayadaw replied, "Rice, oil, and fabric."
"The king ordered cart after cart to be laden with bags of rice, drums of oil and bolts of fabric. He ordered the Minister of Religious Affairs to invite the Sayadaw to Nga Khon Village to repay his debt to the person who had benefited him. With great ceremony the Sayadaw proceeded to Nga Khon Village and asked that his benefactress be called to see him.
"He asked her, "Do you remember me?" By this time, his benefactress was very old. She studied him carefully, with eyes dimmed by age. She didn't remember him. The Sayadaw related everything that had happened. He concluded, "I am very grateful to you. Thus, I give you all these things in repayment of my debt to you." So saying, he left.
"Bhante, how about you; have you repaid your benefactress?"
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