Once upon a time, there was a young man named Nimal who lived in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. He was a kind and honest person, but he felt lonely and unhappy. He longed for true love, but he did not know how to find it. He tried to date many girls, but none of them seemed to be the right one for him. He wondered if there was something wrong with him, or if he was destined to be alone.
One day, he decided to visit a famous Buddhist monk who lived in a nearby temple. He hoped that the monk could give him some advice on how to find true love. He walked for many hours until he reached the temple gate. He bowed and asked for permission to enter. The gatekeeper told him to wait until the monk was free.
After a while, the monk came out and greeted Nimal with a smile. He invited him to sit with him in the hall and asked him what he wanted. Nimal told him his problem and asked him for his guidance.
The monk listened patiently and then said, “My son, you are looking for true love in the wrong places. You are searching for something that is already within you. True love is not something that you can find outside of yourself, but something that you can cultivate inside of yourself. True love is not a feeling that you can get from someone else, but a state of being that you can share with someone else.”
Nimal was confused and asked, “How can I cultivate true love inside of myself? How can I share it with someone else?”
The monk smiled and said, “True love is not a matter of doing, but of being. True love is not a matter of giving, but of receiving. True love is not a matter of saying, but of listening. True love is not a matter of thinking, but of feeling. True love is not a matter of wanting, but of accepting. True love is not a matter of expecting, but of appreciating.”
Nimal was still confused and asked, “But how can I practice these things? How can I apply them in my life?”
The monk said, “There is no need to practice anything. There is only need to be aware of everything. There is no need to apply anything. There is only need to express everything. There is no need to look for true love. There is only need to recognize true love.”
Nimal asked, “How can I be aware of everything? How can I express everything? How can I recognize true love?”
The monk said, “By being mindful of the present moment. By being grateful for the present moment. By being compassionate in the present moment.”
Nimal asked, “What do you mean by being mindful, grateful and compassionate?”
The monk said, “Being mindful means being attentive to what is happening in the here and now, without judging or reacting to it. Being grateful means being thankful for what you have in the here and now, without comparing or complaining about it. Being compassionate means being kind to yourself and others in the here and now, without harming or hurting them.”
Nimal asked, “How can I be mindful, grateful and compassionate in every moment?”
The monk said, “By breathing deeply and calmly. By smiling gently and sincerely. By speaking softly and truthfully.”
Nimal asked, “Is that all?”
The monk said, “That is enough.”
Nimal thanked the monk for his wisdom and left the temple with a new perspective on life. He realized that true love was not something that he had to find, but something that he had to be. He decided to practice mindfulness, gratitude and compassion in every moment of his life.
As he did so, he noticed that his loneliness and unhappiness faded away. He felt more peaceful and joyful than ever before. He also noticed that people were more attracted to him than ever before. He met many girls who liked him for who he was, not for what he did or had.
He did not rush into any relationship, but waited for the right one to come along. He did not judge or reject anyone, but accepted and appreciated everyone.
One day, he met a girl named Priya who lived in Colombo. She was a beautiful and smart girl who shared his interest in Buddhism. They had a lot in common and felt a strong connection with each other.
They started dating and soon fell in love with each other. They were mindful of each other’s feelings and needs. They were grateful for each other’s presence and gifts. They were compassionate towards each other’s flaws and mistakes.
They did not cling or depend on each other, but supported and encouraged each other.
They did not argue or fight with each other, but communicated and compromised with each other.
They did not take or demand from each other, but gave and received from each other.
They did not say or think anything negative about each other, but praised and admired each other.
They did not want or expect anything from each other, but enjoyed and celebrated each other.
They found true love in each other, because they had found true love in themselves.
They followed the Buddha’s teachings and attained happiness and peace.
They lived happily ever after.
