Dinner with Nuns

Next great story of the Buddhist nuns!

As I've mentioned before, there was much generosity shared between the Buddhist nuns and I. If it were a battle of generosity, I most certainly lost! I couldn't walk by their little retreat habitats without an offering of water or food. Most times, I only had a smile and friendly touch to offer in return. Once, however, I was able to bring them apples. Their lives are so simple that a gift of fruit (which can be costly) can be a great honor. However, in thinking I was making a kind offering, they out did it by making a plate of fried doughnut things! Please don't get me wrong. We weren't in competition with each other, but I confess that I started to feel uncomfortable to walk by them never having anything to give!!

One night I will never forget. I was returning to my room after our afternoon meditation class. Dinner would be served in about an hour. I saw the nuns outside their rooms and cautiously approached. I just wanted to sneak by and use the potty! But they had different intentions spying me coming down the stairs to the lower level. I was invited inside. I felt humbled by this as I'd never seen the inside of their dwelling place. It consisted of 2 rooms of almost nothing, although they did have electricity running to 1 light bulb in the living area and a few wall sockets. The first square room was the cooking area; the second was the living area. No running water. No toilet. They would often leave buckets out when it rained to collect their water and then boil it for drinking.

The kitchen contained a small propane stove and a few shelves to hold cooking goods. They had baskets of potatoes, onions, ginger, and tomatoes. They had a few dishes and cooking utensils. The living area housed a bed and also a couch of hard cushions. The far wall was made entirely into a shrine with a few drawers and shelves below. I presume clothes and a select few personal items were housed in these. Each room also had 1 window for natural light and ventilation. These 2 rooms belonged to Pema, but they nuns seemed to share everything. The second nun, with whom I bonded the most (can't spell her name), lived closest to me. Though they had little, they had all that was necessary. Their days and evenings were spent entirely in Buddhist meditation and daily chores for sustenance.

I was led inside to sit on the couch. They must have been expecting me as I was served a boiled potato with a pile of chili powder to dip it in. Very tasty snack. They also served butter tea. This wasn't my first experience with butter tea, though I feel it necessary to add that I'd always hoped my first experience with this buttery beverage would also have been my last. Sadly, it was not so. There I was feeling trapped by 2 nuns with whom I couldn't speak and who were expecting me to drink what I feel no qualms in calling a vile beverage. The second none remained in the cooking area cooking while I sat in silence with Pema eating a potato and drinking vileness. I didn't just have 1 cup. I didn't just have 2 cups. Before the night was over, I'd had 4 cups!!! No more! My stomach is turning as I write. I won't mention my stomach ache the following morning.

I was somehow hoping that I could getaway after a potato and 2 cups of tea. At my first and only attempt, the second nun barred my path and bade me return to my cushions. I later watched her cook for awhile wanting a heads up on what I might be having for dinner. It looked and smelled good enough. Ginger, tomatoes, onions, and some sort of spiny cucumber looking vegetable sauteed in sunflower seed oil. She was also making roti (flat bread). Can't go wrong with roti. So I sat in silence exchanging odd glances with Pema. Then the food came. No worries, I thought.

My little bowl was very hot! And even though they offered me a spoon, I opted to eat with my hands as they did. The second nun waited for me to take a bite. She was clearly eagerly awaiting my response. So, with a piece of roti, I grabbed a large slice of the cucumber looking vegetable and popped it into my mouth. My thoughts went something like this: "hmmm. . .this isn't a cucumber. In fact, this isn't good. Please don't throw up in your mouth. How am I going to eat a whole bowl of this?! Please don't throw up in your mouth!" To make it worse, I only had the vile butter tea to wash it down!!

Somehow, I finished the bowl with a smile on my face. It was well worth it and I knew it then as much as I know it now. After dinner, we engaged in a wonderful conversation. . .as much as was possible considering the language barrier, of course. It was most fun! We were 3 teenagers at a slumber party exploring each others facial features and making fun of our figures. Not at all what I would have expected, but women are women no matter where they are! After about 70-75 minutes or so, the nuns kicked me out (very nicely). It was time for their meditation practice.

It was an honor to share a meal with these women. It was a greater honor to share humanity and a bit of laughter. I pray to not ever forget their darling faces and sweet countenances. I pray even more for their eternal salvation. My love is dim compared to the love of God, but I trust in His revelatory power. Perhaps I'll see their darling faces in heaven!

Let me offer a word of caution: DON'T EVER EAT A SPINY CUCUMBER LOOKING VEGETABLE!