STORY 7 – THE ANT MOUND

by Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni

During my first walk as anagarikaa around the monastery, Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni Theri took us to see the boundaries of the monastery’s property.

When we were walking along the fire break, as I was just about to step on the small rock in front of me, Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni Theri said: “Stop.” I stopped just a step away from the small rock. She asked me to look carefully. It was not a small rock. It was an ant mound. A few bull ants were coming in and out of the mound. I was shocked and frightened.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni Theri asked me to walk around it and not to disturb the mound. She was telling me that the ants were like us, another being that shared this bush property with us. We wanted to be safe, happy and well, and so did the bull ants.

For the first time I felt strongly about the presence of other beings that shared the quest for safety, happiness and peace.

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