This is a retelling of a story from the Dhammapada Commentary by Margo McLoughlin, a storyteller born and based in Canada. This is the first in a series of tales she retells that I will post here.
I have often regretted the passing of the solo storyteller from our cultures, even though it has been almost inevitable with the rise of first radio and then video. There is something truly engaging about someone who can tell a story solely with words.
Margo herself has a remarkable talent, and even though she uses nothing more than her voice and expressions, she manages to paint the scenes and bring the characters to life for us, and help us feel their feelings also.
The story tells of a humble weaver’ daughter who hears the Buddha teach about mindfulness of death one day and decides to practice the recollection. She makes steady progress until one day the Buddha, realising she could attain the stream, goes back to her home town to teach her once more.
A translation of the original story from the Dhammapadaṭṭhakathā itself can be found here.
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