"psst." a bespectacled old nepalese monk, stooped over his scriptures, beckoned to me. discreetly rubbing his thumb and forefinger together, he looked at me in earnest. i was flabbergasted. who would have seen that coming? giving the only response i knew in an awkward situation like that, i smiled and carried on my way. i do not think he is a fraud, and he was not the first at the mahabodhi temple to ask for bakeesh (a bribe, or in this case, a 'donation'). earlier, a cute nepalese monk, barely ten, asked for ten rupees, which i did not hand over, after i had taken his photograph at his request. correct me if i am wrong, but shouldn't i be doing the asking instead? times have changed. renouncing all worldly pursuits and leading an austere life
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