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

so young become a bhikkhu?”
The Buddha answered, “We will allow him to practice in preparation for full vows in the future. Let him take the vows of a novice for
now. He can be given the task of chasing away the crows that disturb the bhikkhus during sitting meditation.”
Sariputta shaved Rahula’s head and gave him the three refuges. He taught Rahula four precepts: do not kill, do not steal, do not speak
falsehoods, and do not drink alcohol. He took one of his own robes and cut it down to size for Rahula. He showed Rahula how to wear it
and how to hold the bowl for begging. Rahula looked just like a miniature bhikkhu. He slept in Sariputta’s hut and went begging with him
each day in the small hamlets that bordered the monastery. Although the older bhikkhus ate only one meal a day, Sariputta feared Rahula
would lack adequate nutrition for his growing body, and so he let the boy eat an evening meal, too. Lay disciples remembered to bring milk
and extra food for the little monk.
When the news that Rahula had shaved his head and put on a bhikkhu’s robe reached the palace, it caused King Suddhodana to
become very upset. Both the king and queen missed Rahula terribly. They had expected him to visit the monastery for just a few days and
then return to the palace. They hadn’t dreamed he might remain in the monastery as a novice. They were lonely without their grandson.
Yasodhara felt a mixture of sadness and happiness. Though she missed her son intensely, she was comforted to know he was now close to
his father after not seeing him for so many years.
One afternoon, the king mounted his royal carriage with Queen Gotami and Yasodhara, and paid a visit to the monastery. They were
met by the Buddha. Nanda and Rahula came out to greet them too. In his excitement, Rahula ran to his mother, and Yasodhara embraced
her son warmly. Then Rahula hugged both his grandparents.
The king bowed to the Buddha and then said rather reproachfully, “I suffered unbelievably when you abandoned home to become a
monk. Not long ago, Nanda left me as well. It is too much to bear to lose Rahula. For a family man like myself, the bonds between father
and son and grandfather and grandson are very important. The pain I felt when you left was like a knife cutting into my skin. After cutting
into my skin, the knife cut into my flesh. After cutting into my flesh, the knife has cut clear to the bone. I beseech you to consider your
actions. In the future, you should not allow a child to be ordained unless he has received prior approval by his parents.”
The Buddha tried to comfort the king by speaking about the truths of impermanence and the absence of a separate self. He reminded
him that the daily practice of mindfulness was the only gate by which suffering could be overcome. Nanda and Rahula now had a chance to
deeply live such a life. The Buddha encouraged his father to appreciate their good fortune and to continue to practice the way of awareness
in daily life in order to find true happiness.
The king felt his pain lighten. Gotami and Yasodhara were also comforted and reassured by the Buddha’s words.
Later that day, the Buddha said to Sariputta, “From now on, we will not receive children into the community of bhikkhus without the
approval of their parents. Please note that in our monastic code.”
Time passed quickly. The Buddha and his sangha had rested in the kingdom of Sakya for more than six months. New ordinations had
increased the number of bhikkhus to more than five hundred. The number of lay disciples was too great to be counted. King Suddhodana
also gave the sangha another place to build a monastery—the former summer palace of Prince Siddhartha, north of the capital, with its cool
and spacious gardens. Venerable Sariputta organized a large number of bhikkhus to set up monastic living there. The presence of this new
monastery helped assure a firm foundation for the practice of the Way in the Sakya kingdom.
The Buddha wished to return to Bamboo Forest in time for the rainy season retreat, as he had promised King Bimbisara and the
bhikkhus who had remained there. King Suddhodana invited the Buddha for a last meal before his departure and asked him to give a
discourse on the Dharma for the royal family and all members of the Sakya clan.
The Buddha used this occasion to speak about applying the Way to political life. He said the Way could illuminate the realm of politics,
assisting those involved in governing the kingdom to bring about social equality and justice. He said, “If you practice the Way, you will
increase your understanding and compassion and better serve the people. You will find ways to bring about peace and happiness without
depending on violence at all. You do not need to kill, torture, or imprison people, or confiscate property. This is not an impossible ideal, but
something which can be actually realized.
“When a politician possesses enough understanding and love, he sees the truth about poverty, misery, and oppression. Such a person
can find the means to reform the government in order to reduce the gap between rich and poor and cease the use of force against others.
“My friends, political leaders and rulers must set an example. Don’t live in the lap of luxury because wealth only creates a greater barrier
between you and the people. Live a simple, wholesome life, using your time to serve the people, rather than pursuing idle pleasures. A
leader cannot earn the trust and respect of his people if he does not set a good example. If you love and respect the people, they will love
and respect you in return. Rule by virtue differs from rule by law and order. Rule by virtue does not depend on punishment. According to
the Way of Awakening, true happiness can only be attained by the path of virtue.”
King Suddhodana and all those present listened intently to the Buddha. Prince Dronodanaraja, the Buddha’s uncle and the father of
Devadatta and Ananda, said, “Rule by virtue, as you have described it, is truly beautiful. But I believe that you alone possess the character