It was Happy Monk’s birthday today.
After morning meditation, Sensei led all the monks into the woods that surrounded the Monastery. A few minutes after walking, Sensei stopped and asked the monks to catch their breath.
Sensei said, “Let us wish Happy Birthday to those born today…”
All the monks began showering happy birthday greetings on Happy Monk.
Sensei said, “Is it only Happy Monk’s birthday today?”
The monks looked puzzled. They knew the birthdays of everyone.
Sensei clapped thrice and said, “Look around you. So many trees, plants, insects, animals and infinite creatures of nature are born every moment!
The fact is that they do not understand birth and death. There is no one to tell them and wish them! They are all helpless.
To be born human is the biggest gift of consciousness; because we are born with awareness. Use every day, every hour, every moment of your life to celebrate awareness and use that awareness to redeem yourself and those around you.
The fact that you are aware means that you are born every moment; not just one day in a year…”
*****
