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and body. Feelings arise and pass away like any other mental or material phenomena. I teach the method of looking deeply in order to
illuminate the nature and source of feelings, whether they are pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral. When you can see the source of your feelings,
you will understand their nature. You will see that feelings are impermanent, and gradually you will remain undisturbed by their arising and
passing away. Almost all painful feelings have their source in an incorrect way of looking at reality. When you uproot erroneous views,
suffering ceases. Erroneous views cause people to consider the impermanent to be permanent. Ignorance is the source of all suffering. We
practice the way of awareness in order to overcome ignorance. One must look deeply into things in order to penetrate their true nature.
One cannot overcome ignorance through prayers and offerings.”
Sariputta, Moggallana, Kaludayi, Nagasamala, and Channa all listened as the Buddha explained these things to Dighanakha. Sariputta
was able to grasp the meaning of the Buddha’s words the most deeply. He felt his own mind shine like a bright sun. Unable to conceal his
joy, he joined his palms and prostrated himself before the Buddha. Moggallana prostrated himself, as well. Then Dighanakha, moved and
profoundly impressed by all that the Buddha had said, also prostrated himself before the Buddha. Kaludayi and Channa were deeply
touched by this scene. They felt proud to be associated with the Buddha, and their faith and trust in his Way was further strengthened.
A few days after that, Queen Videhi and an attendant visited and made food offerings to the sangha. She also brought a young plumeria
sapling and planted it beside the Buddha’s hut in remembrance of the story he had told the children in the palace courtyard.
Under the Buddha’s guidance, the community made ever greater progress along the path. Sariputta and Moggallana were like shining
stars with their keen intelligence, diligence, and leadership abilities. They worked with Kondanna and Kassapa to organize and guide the
sangha. However, even as the sangha’s reputation was growing, some people began to speak ill of the Buddha and his community. Some
of these rumors were spread by members of religious factions who were jealous of the king’s support for the sangha. Lay disciples who
often visited Bamboo Forest expressed concern over what was being said. Apparently, some people in Rajagaha were distressed that so
many young men from wealthy and noble families had become bhikkhus. They feared that soon all the young men would abandon their
homes and there would be no more suitable husbands for the noble young women in Rajagaha. Entire family lines could be discontinued,
they warned.
Many bhikkhus were not pleased when they heard these things. But when the Buddha was informed, he calmed both the laity and the
bhikkhus by saying, “Don’t worry about such things. Sooner or later, all such talk will die down.” And it did. In less than a month, there
was no more talk about such trifling fears.