Kappiya

During a formative period in my life, I served as a kappiya—a Buddhist steward—for several months under the guidance of Venerable Bhante Sujiva, a renowned meditation teacher known for his kindness and deep wisdom. Our time together was centered on Buddhist meditation and occasional travel, offering both inward and outward journeys.

Coming from a background shaped by Communist-era Yugoslavia, I had grown up with a healthy dose of skepticism toward spirituality. This made me inquisitive—curious, even cautious. But eventually, my need for understanding pushed me to ask the question I had long carried inside:

Gregor: Bhante Sujiva, everyone says you’ve attained enlightenment. Is it true?
Bhante Sujiva (pausing thoughtfully): What is it that you really want to know, Gregor?
Gregor: I want to know... are you the one?
Bhante Sujiva (after a moment of silence): Enlightenment is not something you talk about. It’s something you see.

That response stayed with me—simple, quiet, and profound. It wasn't just an answer; it was an invitation to look beyond words and into direct experience.