Patachara found her true refuge

Lord Buddha was at an assembly addressing monks when Patachara, grieving the loss of her entire family, stark, naked, raving mad, with no mind of her own, ran to the compassionate one.   
The lay people stoned and called her a lunatic. Lord Buddha said: “Let her come in. She has much potential to reach sainthood. Sister, regain your mindfulness.” And she regained her mindfulness. She fell at the feet of the enlightened one. 
Lord Buddha with deep compassion listened to her. “My baby sons are both dead and so is my husband. My parents and brother are burning on the funeral pyre. Lord have compassion on me!” 
“Patachara, do not be troubled. You have come to our true refuge. You have shed more tears throughout Samsara than waters of the great oceans for the ones you held dear.” 
The Dhamma penetrated her mind. She became a stream-enterer. She sat on her bed and extinguished the oil lamp. Supreme knowledge arose, she reached her goal; NIBBANA. 

Shirleen Makalanda Jayawadene 
– Dippitigala Estate, Lellopitia 

Fondly remembered and missed by her children Shyama, Vasanthi and Shaminda Jayawadene and her grandchildren on her second death anniversary.