Early Days

Buddhism tells a story of a family who lost a child and was riven by grief. In agony, the mother went to the Buddha with her baby in her arms crying “Bring back my child!” The Buddha replied that she must first undertake a task before he could help her. He charged her with bringing back a mustard seed from a home that had known no suffering. 

The woman began in her village, visiting home after home, where she was invited in to tell her story. Over food and drink, she told the story of the death of her child and in every home she also heard a story of great love and loss. As she traveled on over time, she heard many stories of those who had suffered the loss of their dear ones and how they had found the strength to go on. But she always went on her way with no mustard seeds in her pocket.  

After a very long time, she realized she would never find a house that had not suffered as she had, for death is both inevitable and universal. And in the stories of those she had met, she found comfort and inspiration that allowed her to go forward with her child in her heart instead of her arms. 

It is hoped that in these reflections on the earliest days of grief, you will find in others’ experiences not only your own story, but the companionship and comfort of knowing you are not alone.