Story 043b

SSSSB Story 043b: “Really? Yes, really!”  

Dharmik and Dipak were having a conversation, sitting on a stone wall overlooking the mountains. The sun was slowly setting behind the hills. 

“I’m thinking about going abroad to work in the future,” said Dipak. 

“Oh, really?” said Dharmik. “My brother has been working in Qatar for years, my sister is in South Korea, and my cousin even works in Japan.” 
 
“Really? That’s impressive,” said Dipak, his eyes wide. “At least you have family abroad. In my family, no one has ever gone further than Kathmandu Airport.” 

Dipak continued, “I also want to go abroad — not for myself, but for my family. If I work abroad, I can earn well and send money home.  
Many young people do that. I want to support my parents too.” 

There was a moment of silence. Dharmik looked at his friend and then said calmly: “That’s brave of you, Dipak. But things aren’t always as perfect as they seem.  
My family also expects me to go abroad… but I want to stay in Nepal.” 

Dipak looked surprised.“What? You? You have such a big opportunity to build your future and  
help your family! You must be joking?” 

Dharmik shook his head. “No, my good friend. I mean it. Let me give you four examples from what I’ve seen”: 

Example1: “My brother, sister, and cousin all faced a lot of difficulties.  
They had to borrow money to be able to leave. It took years to repay the debt.  
"And now the people we had borrowed money from look at us with slanted eyes and no longer speak to us, because it took longer to repay the borrowed money than we had promised." 
 
Dipak: “Really?” Dharmik: “Yes, really”. Now, example2:  “My sister has changed. She’s become very arrogant.  
She acts like she’s the queen of South Korea.  
She feels superior to other Nepalis just because she lives abroad.” 

Dipak: “Really?” 

Dharmik: “Yes, really”. Then example3:  “My brother is still kind, but he looks down on Nepal now.  
He says everything in Qatar is better. He doesn’t appreciate our country anymore.” 

Dipak: “Really?” 
Dharmik: “Yes, my friend. Really”. And example4: My cousin is also kind,  
but he no longer respects our culture. He only speaks English with us, even though we don’t understand it well. He even refuses to speak Nepali with our grandparents, our mother and father.” 

Dipak: “Really?” 
Dharmik: “Yes, really. Though he’s still sweet sometimes. Recently he brought me a Japanese game – Riichi Mahjong. I asked him to explain the rules, but he did so in English. I didn’t understand anything! Luckily, I know Rayan from Balkot – he knows all the SSSSB gift games and explains them clearly to all students who don’t understand.” 

Dipak fell silent for a while. He looked at the birds and the mountains. 

“So, what are you going to do?” he asked softly. 

“I’m staying here,” said Dharmik firmly. “I want to follow my dharma with love – because that is the right thing for my family, my village, my country… and especially to show gratitude to the many saints, and to my Sita Mata, my Lord Buddha, and my Swami. I want to build something here. I don’t want to run away. It might be harder, but in the long run, it will be better.” 

Dipak: “But how do you think about these things? How do you see it this way?” 

Dharmik: “I learned that in the SSSSB class, from my SSSSB Gurus.” 

Dipak: “Balkot is too far for me. Otherwise, I’d go every week.” 

Dharmik: “Distance isn’t a problem. You can join through Zoom!” 

Dipak: “Really? It’s just a shame I don’t have a phone or laptop.” 

Dharmik: “No problem, Dipak. Just come to my house on Saturday. Guru Daju sends the Zoom codes at 8:30, and class begins at 9:00!” 

The two boys smiled. They stayed in Nepal. Not only that — they started a business together and did a lot of seva. Today, they run three businesses across Nepal,  
employing 108 young people who work joyfully and help build their nation. 
 
Om Sairam 🙏 20  May 2025, The Hague – Holland, Guru Daju – Sunil Marapin