Living Bodhisattva

This happened in Gofu, Japan, in 1921.  One day, Kiyoko took her husband, who was complaining of severe backache, to a doctor.  Having examined the patient, the doctor told her: 'I am sorry, but it's certain that your husband is having a terrible disease, and that's leprosy. This can never be cured by medicines.  He'll suffer all his life.  It would be better for him if you can take him over to the Naruko hot spring at Miyagi Prefecture'. Kiyoko was dumbfounded.  Slowly she understood everything.  Without informing her husband about the disease, Kiyoko told her father-in-law about it.  Hearing her, the old farmer said : 'Kiyoko-san, I am so very sorry that you'll have to serve my leper son. But I shall be extremely grateful if you can take him to the hot spring as the doctor has advised'.

© Prabuddha Bharata, March,2001. Reprinted with permission.

<< Back