Little Potato, Little Buddha

Centuries ago, there was a monastery located far away on the mountains of an ancient kingdom; their monks where renowned for their austerity and rigorous way of life.

Winter came, and with it, the hardship of the season and shortage of food. Nothing the old wise Abbot haven’t seen or lived through before.

The reserves of food were running too low for everyone to survive the cold winter.
They had to make some decisions in order to overcome the tight situation.

At the beginning of every season, the monastery opened its doors to a few new students. Sometimes, there were no beginners at all, but in the winter it was different. Many young new students would often show up at the door of the monastery.

The old Abbot figured out the solution long before that happened, and made arrangements to receive as many students as possible.

The Abbot also knew that in the summer, the prospect students would be having too much fun swimming in the lakes, and helping their families working on the land to make sure they would be ready for the long winter.

The wise Abbot decided to send a search party out, looking for some food and supplies. One of them was a new student at the monastery, who came from a farm and knew well the hills of the area.

They came back carrying dozens of sacs full of wild potatoes. Every one was so happy to have plenty of food to survive the winter.

Few weeks later, all the monks were complaining about the potatoes and the lack of anything else to eat.

The monk in charge of cooking refused to peel one more potato and requested the Abbot for assistance at the kitchen where a very few people were allowed in. The young farmer monk who helped finding the potatoes was sent to help at the kitchen.

After cleaning the floors and the gigantic pots, he was left all night long to peel the potatoes for breakfast next day. While peeling the potatoes, he began to carve a small baby on each potato.

Next day, the Abbot and the entire monastery was so surprised to see such a beautiful carving on every single potato.
The Abbot said, “It looks like a little Buddha.”
Monks exclaimed with delight, “The potato tastes so delicious and different!”

The young farmer monk replied, “I miss my little brother so much. He was just a newborn baby when I came to the monastery.”

The old Abbot stood up and spoke with a soft voice, “Lord Buddha said all things are impermanent. Enjoy your breakfast and have a great year of the rabbit.”