Reflections on Buddhist Village Visit by Claire Kim ’20

June 17, 2018

It is very rare to be able to experience a foreign country as an insider, but our group was lucky enough to see an ancient Buddhist village yesterday. With the help of Mr. King, who had lived in this village for a while, we met so many families and saw amazing landscapes. It will be impossible to recount everything we did in that one day because it was full of amazing encounters and positive energy that cannot be described.

After a two hour drive filled with naps, we were greeted by a woman everyone called “ammaa,” or “mom.” She graciously took us to her home to have a sweet traditional treat and learn a bit about the Buddhist life. Everyone we met was extremely generous. This generosity exceeded anything I’ve seen before. Even though they had worked so hard for their food, they were so willing to share with our large group, believing the action to have “good merits.” These good merits are part of the Buddhist belief, similar to that of good karma. After this home, we visited several others, where we had tea and snacks. Everyone knew Mr. King and it was apparent that they all adored him. In one memorable home, an old woman called “achchi,” or “grandmother,” started crying, saying she could not believe we were really here. It was really a touching moment.

Another of the many homes we visited was a place of a Buddhist monk. When we arrived, he blessed us with a purity bracelet. He did this ritual by tying a string around our right wrists while chanting. He did not need to do this to a group of curious foreigners, but he did out of his generosity.

Before the end of the visit, we went to the rice paddies. The journey seemed treacherous to some of us. We walked atop cement beams with mud or water on both sides. Ammaa led the trek with her bare feet, seemingly without struggle. The rest of the group? Not so much. I stumbled along, and miraculously made it without falling. Along the way, we passed a water buffalo and some cattle. The view was incredible. We were also able to see a rice tilling circle, which is regarded as almost religious. This is yet another experience that an outsider would probably not have been able to see.

I cannot explain the gratitude I have for this small village. Their generosity and love was more than any of us had expected. This whole trip has been filled with awe, and although our time in Sri Lanka is slowly waning, we are ready to make the most of what is left to come, just as we did in the village.