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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
suggestion. At last the Buddha said it was time for him to return to his bhikkhus in the park. The king rose and said, “I would like to invite you and all the bhikkhus for a meal offering just as the king of Magadha did. I will invite all the royal family and members of the government at the same time so that they can hear you speak about the Way.” The Buddha said he would be glad to accept the invitation. They arranged for the gathering to take place in seven days. Yasodhara expressed a desire to invite the Buddha and Kaludayi for a private meal in the eastern palace. The Buddha accepted her invitation, as well, but suggested it would be best to wait until a few days after the king’s reception. The king wanted to order a carriage to take the Buddha and Nagasamala back to Nigrodha Park, but the Buddha refused. He explained that he preferred to travel by foot. The entire family accompanied the two bhikkhus to the palace’s outer gates. They all joined their palms respectfully and bid the two bhikkhus farewell.
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Title Page Copyright Page BOOK ONE
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Chapter Sixty-Five - Neither Full n
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Books by the Same Author Being Peac
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During the walk back, Buddha introd
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Svasti was overcome with both fear
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Chapter Two Tending Water Buffaloes
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in the assembly took their own cush
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Here, before Svasti, stood a most a
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Chapter Four The Wounded Swan Early
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else like you in this world. Everyo
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Chapter Five A Bowl of Milk Every d
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children shared their food with one
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King Suddhodana grew alarmed and as
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she nodded in assent.
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As a result of his own reflections,
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Chapter Eight The Jewelled Necklace
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guests applauded their approval, an
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The following summer, as they were
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Chapter Ten Unborn Child During thi
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you succeed. I know that one day yo
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Time flew, and the day for Yasodhar
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Siddhartha fell silent, then consol
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Chapter Thirteen Beginning Spiritua
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which the mind becomes one with inf
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Siddhartha smiled. “Great King, I
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Chapter Fifteen Forest Ascetic Mast
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leaning over the water, its leaves
Page 58 and 59: Chapter Sixteen Was Yasodhara Sleep
Page 60 and 61: Chapter Seventeen Pippala Leaf Bene
Page 62 and 63: Chapter Eighteen The Morning Star H
Page 64 and 65: Svasti explained that he had the da
Page 66 and 67: Sujata joined her palms together an
Page 68 and 69: great peace and joy that attaining
Page 70 and 71: plants, tangerines, rivers, and air
Page 72 and 73: Chapter Twenty-One The Lotus Pond A
Page 75 and 76: Chapter Twenty-Two Turning the Whee
Page 78 and 79: Chapter Twenty-Three Dharma Nectar
Page 80 and 81: Chapter Twenty-Four Taking Refuge N
Page 82 and 83: Chapter Twenty-Five Music’s Lofty
Page 84 and 85: Chapter Twenty-Six Water Rises, Too
Page 86 and 87: Late in the afternoon, Kassapa came
Page 88 and 89: devotees? Who will guide them if yo
Page 90 and 91: obes for fear of disturbing the sou
Page 92 and 93: But Sariputta implored Assaji, “P
Page 94 and 95: Chapter Thirty Bamboo Forest It was
Page 96 and 97: her son, Prince Ajatasattu. She sho
Page 98 and 99: Chapter Thirty-One I Will Return in
Page 100 and 101: The Buddha quietly smiled in agreem
Page 102 and 103: and body. Feelings arise and pass a
Page 104 and 105: The Buddha spoke gently to her, “
Page 106 and 107: Chapter Thirty-Four Reunion Kaluday
Page 110 and 111: Chapter Thirty-Five Early Morning S
Page 112 and 113: Chapter Thirty-Six Lotus Vow Prince
Page 114 and 115: predicted so many lifetimes ago.
Page 116 and 117: so young become a bhikkhu?” The B
Page 118 and 119: Chapter Thirty-Eight O, Happiness!
Page 120 and 121: After the noon meal, the Buddha gav
Page 122 and 123: But Sudatta would not hear of it. H
Page 124 and 125: Jivaka, was unable to attend becaus
Page 126 and 127: One afternoon, the Buddha received
Page 128 and 129: “But how can I show my love for t
Page 130 and 131: Chapter Forty-Three Everyone’s Te
Page 132 and 133: community. Many condemned the Buddh
Page 134 and 135: One morning in early autumn just af
Page 136 and 137: Chapter Forty-Five Opening the Door
Page 138 and 139: Chapter Forty-Six A Handful of Sims
Page 140 and 141: The Buddha nodded his approval. He
Page 142 and 143: It was the tenth retreat season sin
Page 144 and 145: Chapter Forty-Eight Covering Mud wi
Page 146 and 147: Rahula set out a chair for the Budd
Page 148 and 149: others and wishes others well-being
Page 150 and 151: “Sariputta, if the bhikkhus grasp
Page 152 and 153: Chapter Fifty-One The Treasure of I
Page 154 and 155: The children appeared sorry for wha
Page 156 and 157: Chapter Fifty-Two Fields of Merit T
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future generations. When one makes
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Chapter Fifty-Three Dwelling in the
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The Buddha said, “No, Angulimala,
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Ahimsaka now.” The king stared lo
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When Tappasi delivered the news to
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The story of Bhikkhuni Patacara was
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BOOK THREE
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Of course, every bhikkhu and bhikkh
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that merit, may you and your child
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The venerable said no more, but pro
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including yourself. Love Ananda as
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explained, ‘Several days ago, one
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depths of the Dharma speak few word
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Sonadanda smiled and joined his pal
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Chapter Sixty-One The Lion’s Roar
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could be saved overnight. Not long
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he spoke about the relation of the
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Chapter Sixty-Three All the Way to
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He recalled how some years ago, sev
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If you can see the teaching, you ca
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Chapter Sixty-Five Neither Full nor
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look at the empty Dharma hall, you
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Chapter Sixty-Six Four Mountains Ea
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Chapter Sixty-Seven Ocean Poet At t
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Chapter Sixty-Eight Three Wondrous
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The words used to transmit it shoul
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One day Venerable Anuruddha was sto
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Chapter Seventy The Quail and the F
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ise at any moment to submerge one.
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Being refused the chance to practic
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“And what if the strings are too
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Chapter Seventy-Two Quiet Resistanc
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held responsible for the actions of
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“No, Teacher, I am not yet marrie
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Chapter Seventy-Four Cry of the Ele
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his body between the Buddha and Nal
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Chapter Seventy-Five Tears of Happi
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“5. Share time, resources, and ha
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Chapter Seventy-Six The Fruits of P
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somewhat embarrassed, he said to hi
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The Buddha nodded his acceptance. H
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The Buddha regarded him kindly and
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Chapter Seventy-Eight Two Thousand
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The Ganga was so swollen from recen
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Chapter Seventy-Nine Sandalwood Tre
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hikkhus, and headed towards Kusinar
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Chapter Eighty Be Diligent! It was
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Chapter Eighty-One Old Path White C
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of Licchavi would build one in Vesa
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meditation. Just before dawn on the
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Chapter Contents & Sources
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Chapter One: Walking Just to Walk S
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Chapter Three: An Armful of Kusa Gr
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Chapter Five: A Bowl of Milk Sujata
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Chapter Seven: White Elephant Prize
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Chapter Nine: The Path of Compassio
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Chapter Eleven: Moonlight Flute Sid
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Chapter Thirteen: Beginning Spiritu
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Chapter Fifteen: Forest Ascetic Sid
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Chapter Seventeen: Pippala Leaf Ben
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Chapter Nineteen: Tangerine of Mind
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Chapter Twenty-One: The Lotus Pond
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Chapter Twenty-Three: Dharma Nectar
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Chapter Twenty-Five: Music’s Loft
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Chapter Twenty-Seven: All Dharmas A
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Chapter Twenty-Nine: Dependent Co-A
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Chapter Thirty: Bamboo Forest The B
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Chapter Thirty-Two: The Finger is N
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Chapter Thirty-Four: Reunion The Bu
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Chapter Thirty-Six: Lotus Vow Yasod
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Chapter Thirty-Eight: O, Happiness!
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Chapter Forty: Cover the Land in Go
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Chapter Forty-Two: Love Is Understa
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Chapter Forty-Four: The Elements Wi
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Chapter Forty-Six: A Handful of Sim
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Chapter Forty-Eight: Covering Mud w
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Chapter Fifty: A Handful of Bran Th
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Chapter Fifty-Two: Fields of Merit
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Chapter Fifty-Four: Dwell in Mindfu
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Book Three
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Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Raft Is No
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Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Net of Theo
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Chapter Sixty-One: The Lion’s Roa
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Chapter Sixty-Three: All the Way to
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Chapter Sixty-Five: Neither Full no
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Chapter Sixty-Seven: Ocean Poet Ven
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Chapter Sixty-Nine: Where Will the
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Chapter Seventy-One: The Art of Str
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Chapter Seventy-Three: Hidden Rice
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Chapter Seventy-Five: Tears of Happ
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Chapter Seventy-Seven: Stars in You
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Chapter Seventy-Nine: Sandalwood Tr
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Chapter Eighty-One: Old Path White
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