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

Chapter Thirty-Five
Early Morning Sunshine
News of Siddhartha’s return spread quickly throughout the rest of Kapilavatthu, confirmed by the serene presence of the bhikkhus begging
every morning in the city. Many families made food offerings and were eager to hear the bhikkhus speak about the teaching.
King Suddhodana asked the people to decorate the city streets with banners and flowers in preparation for the day the Buddha and the
bhikkhus were invited to eat at the palace. He also lost no time in having small huts built in Nigrodha Park for the Buddha and his senior
students. Many people came to the Park to meet with the Buddha and his bhikkhus. The people were impressed to see the former prince
calmly begging in the city. The Buddha’s return became the main topic of conversation among all the townspeople.
Gotami and Yasodhara wanted to visit the Buddha at Nigrodha Park, but they were too busy that first week preparing for the reception
of the sangha. The king wanted to invite several thousand guests, including all the members of the government, as well as all those in the city
who held other political, cultural, and religious positions. He ordered that all dishes for the meal be vegetarian.
Prince Nanda, however, did find the time to visit the Buddha twice that week. He listened as the Buddha explained the Path of
Awakening to him. Nanda loved and respected his elder brother, and he felt himself being drawn to the peaceful life of a bhikkhu. He even
asked the Buddha whether or not he thought he would make a good bhikkhu, but the Buddha only smiled. He could see that although
Nanda was a young man of admirable feelings and good intentions, he did not yet possess a strong sense of purpose or commitment. When
he sat with the Buddha, Nanda wanted to become a monk, but when he returned to the palace, he had eyes and thoughts only for his lovely
fiancée, Kalyani. Nanda wondered what the Buddha thought about his equivocation.
The day for the reception arrived. The entire city, including the royal palace, was decked with banners and flowers to welcome the
Buddha and his sangha. The city bustled with excitement as the entire population formally welcomed home their heroic countryman.
Musicians played beautifully as crowds lined the streets. Everyone strained to catch a glimpse of the Buddha. Gotami and Yasodhara
personally welcomed all the guests that had been invited by the king. Gopa had even given in to the queen’s wishes that she dress in an
elegant sari and wear jewels in honor of the occasion.
The Buddha and the bhikkhus walked with slow, calm steps between the crowds. Many people joined their palms and bowed as the
Buddha passed. Children were lifted onto their parents’ shoulders so they could see. Happy shouts and applause rose from the crowds.
The bhikkhus continued to follow their breath mindfully in the midst of the bustling, festive atmosphere.
King Suddhodana greeted the Buddha and his sangha at the outer gates of the palace. He led them to the inner courtyard. All the guests
followed the king’s example in joining their palms and bowing deeply to the Buddha, even though some of them wondered why it was
necessary to show such great respect to a monk so young, even if he was the former prince.
After the Buddha and the bhikkhus were seated, the king motioned to the servants to bring out the food. He himself served the Buddha.
Yasodhara and Gotami directed the serving of all the other guests, which included brahmans, ascetics, and hermits. Everyone ate in silence,
following the example of the Buddha and his bhikkhus. When all the bhikkhus and all the guests were finished eating and the bhikkhus’
bowls had been washed and returned, the king stood and joined his palms. He invited the Buddha to teach the Dharma to all those
gathered.
The Buddha sat quietly for a moment in order to gain a sense of those present. He began by briefly recounting his experiences in seeking
the Way, as he knew the people were anxious to hear what had happened to him in the past seven years. He spoke to them about the
nature of impermanence, the absence of a separate self, and the law of dependent co-arising. He said that practicing awareness in daily life
and looking deeply into things led to the cessation of suffering and the realization of peace and joy. He said that offerings and prayers were
not effective means to attain liberation.
The Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths: the existence of suffering, the causes of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path that
leads to the cessation of suffering. He said, “In addition to the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness, and death, human beings endure other
sufferings which they themselves create. Out of ignorance and false views, people say and do things that create suffering for themselves and
others. Anger, hatred, suspicion, jealousy, and frustration cause suffering. All these arise from lack of awareness. People are caught in their
suffering as if they were caught in a house on fire, and most of our suffering we create ourselves. You cannot find freedom by praying to
some god. You must look deeply into your own mind and situation in order to uproot the false views which are the root of suffering. You
must find the source of your suffering in order to understand the nature of suffering. Once you understand the nature of suffering, it can no
longer bind you.
“If someone is angry at you, you can get angry back at him, but that only creates more suffering. If you follow the Way of Awareness,