old-path-white-clouds-thich-nhat-hanh

The Buddha immediately stood up and walked towards the three women. Queen Gotami was a picture of good health. She wore a sari
the color of cool green bamboo. Gopa was as beautiful as ever, although she appeared somewhat pale. Her sari was as white as freshfallen
snow. She wore no jewels or ornaments. The Buddha’s younger sister, now sixteen years old, wore a gold sari which set off her
shining black eyes. The women joined their palms and bowed low to greet the Buddha. The Buddha joined his palms and bowed in return.
Then he called out, “Mother! Gopa!”
Hearing his voice call out their names, both women began to weep.
The Buddha took the queen’s hand and led her to sit down on a bench. He asked, “And where is my brother, Nanda?”
The queen answered, “He is out practicing martial arts. He should return soon. Do you recognize your younger sister? She has grown
much in your absence, wouldn’t you say?”
The Buddha gazed at his sister. He had not seen her in more than seven years. “Sundari Nanda, you’re a young woman now!”
Then the Buddha approached Yasodhara and gently took her hand. She was so moved, her hand trembled in his. He led her to sit
beside Queen Gotami, and then he sat back on his own bench. On the walk back to the palace, the king had asked the Buddha many
questions, but now no one spoke, not even Rahula. The Buddha looked at the king and queen, Yasodhara, and Sundari Nanda. The joy of
reunion shone in everyone’s face. After a long silence, the Buddha spoke, “Father, I have returned. Mother, I have returned. See, Gopa, I
came back to you.”
Again the two women began to cry. Their tears were tears of joy. The Buddha let them silently weep, and then he asked Rahula to sit
beside him. He patted the boy’s hair affectionately.
Gotami wiped her tears with the edge of her sari, and, smiling at the Buddha, said, “You were gone a very long time. More than seven
years have passed. Do you understand how courageous a woman Gopa has been?”
“I have long understood the depth of her courage, Mother. You and Yasodhara are the two most courageous women I know. Not only
have you offered understanding and support to your husbands, but you are models of strength and determination for all. I have been very
lucky to have both of you in my life. It has made my task much easier.”
Yasodhara smiled but she did not speak.
The king said, “You have told me a bit about your search for the Way up to your ordeals of self-mortification. Could you repeat all you
have told me for the others to hear and then continue?”
The Buddha told them about his long search for the Way in brief. He told them about meeting King Bimbisara on the mountain, and
about the poor children of Uruvela village. He told them about his five friends who had practiced austerities with him, and about the great
reception the bhikkhus received in Rajagaha. Everyone listened intently. Not even Rahula budged.
The Buddha’s voice was warm and affectionate. He did not dwell on details and he spoke only sparingly of his period of selfmortification.
He used his words to sow helpful seeds of awakening in the hearts of those closest to him.
An attendant came out to the garden and whispered something in Gotami’s ear. The queen whispered something back. Soon after, the
attendant prepared a table in the garden for the noon meal. Just as the food was being placed upon the table, Nanda arrived. The Buddha
greeted him joyfully.
“Nanda! When I left you were only fifteen. Now you’re a grown man!”
Nanda smiled. The queen chastised him, “Nanda, greet your elder brother properly. He is a monk now. Join your palms and bow.”
Nanda bowed and the Buddha bowed to his younger brother in return.
They all moved to the table. The Buddha asked Nagasamala to sit beside him. A serving maid brought out water for everyone to wash
their hands.
The king asked the Buddha, “What did you receive in your begging bowl?”
“I received a potato, but I notice that Nagasamala did not yet receive anything.”
King Suddhodana stood up. “Please allow me to offer both of you food from our table.” Yasodhara held the platters while the king
served the two bhikkhus. He placed fragrant white rice and vegetable curry into their bowls. The Buddha and Nagasamala ate in silent
mindfulness and the others followed their example. Birds continued to sing throughout the garden.
When they had finished eating, the queen invited the king and the Buddha to sit again on the marble benches. A servant brought out a
platter of tangerines, but Rahula was the only one to eat his. Everyone else was too absorbed in listening to the Buddha recount his
experiences. Queen Gotami asked more questions than anyone else. When the king heard about the hut the Buddha lived in at Bamboo
Forest, he resolved to have a similar one built at Nigrodha Park for him. He expressed his hope that the Buddha would remain for several
months in order to teach them the Way. Queen Gotami, Yasodhara, Nanda, and Sundari Nanda voiced their joyous approval of the king’s