I’ve been seeing her at the park for almost 2 years now. Just like the other days, we smiled at each other as our paths crossed on the newly refurbished walking track. It didn’t end there. She paused for a moment, took out the earphones carefully tucked in her ears and said something (which I cannot recall). Our conversation thereafter lasted almost an hour in which time we shared many aspects of our lives. One of the things that I brought up in our conversation was my practice of Buddhism. She listened with keen interest and curiosity. Even so, not wanting to sound too assertive I decided to cut short my discussion on the subject.
I turned the conversation around to children and asked if she had any. To which she said that she has a teenage son, who is autistic and incidentally his name is Siddhartha. She said that with a twinkle in her eye sensing my keen interest in Buddhism. (Siddhartha was the name of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.) A day of coincidences or what I thought to myself. She continued that I must have seen him around. He usually rides the bicycle in the evening. I paused and thought for a moment – “Oh yes, offcourse I’ve seen him. He resembles you quite a bit.” I paused again and then blurted out “But he doesn’t look autistic.” almost ashamed at myself for saying that. She smiled back politely and said “You will know once you begin to talk to him. That is why he doesn’t have friends.” My heart ached to hear that. I could feel her agony and pain even though she said it in a casual manner. Silent I wondered why we were so insensitive.
I decided to resume my discussion on Buddhism at this point. I told her how she could overcome this agony and help Siddhartha live a fulfilling life through faith. She interrupted, “So what you are saying is that he will be cured if he practices Buddhism? That is almost impossible. He is born with this.” I explained patiently that while I couldn’t guarantee that he would be fully cured, what I am convinced about is that he will be able to lead a happy and fulfilling life in spite of his limitations. That he would grow into a beautiful human being and have his circle of friends. That he neither be ashamed of it because he has his own unique mission in life. She nodded in agreement and remarked “That is what is important.” I could see her face light up; sparks of hope arise in her. And then she asked – “So what exactly do you do?” To begin with, I told her about the chant that we recite and recorded it for her in her mobile. She promised to give it a try.
This was on New Year’s eve. We asked about each others plans for the evening which didn’t turn out to be much. It was already dark by now. We sat silently for a few minutes. Siddhartha passed by on his bicycle ringing the bell to draw our attention. His mother briefly introduced us and he turned around to wave at me. I waved and smiled back at him. I had made a new friend. Silence returned and I gestured to make a move. She looked at me and said “we have met for a reason today. The past year has been very difficult for me. I hope the new year is better. I am going to start it on a fresh note.” I smiled and reassured her that it would be a good year.
As I walked back home the words ‘met for a reason’ rung loud and clear in my ears. The reason and purpose will gradually unfold in successive years but for now I pray that the New Year is a new beginning in their lives; that my little friend Siddhartha finds many friends and becomes truly happy in life. This is the prayer that I nurture in my heart and wish to be fulfilled in the coming year.
