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

Chapter Thirty-Eight
O, Happiness!
From the country of Sakya, the Buddha entered the northern region of Kosala. He was accompanied by one hundred twenty bhikkhus,
including many young men from noble families. They rested in a park near the city of Anupiya, which was home to the Malla people.
Venerable Sariputta was traveling with the Buddha, as were Kaludayi, Nanda, and the novice Rahula.
Less than a month after the Buddha departed from Kapilavatthu, two young men of the Sakya clan from a very wealthy family also
considered leaving home to be ordained as bhikkhus. Their names were Mahanama and Anuruddha. Their family owned three magnificent
residences, one for each season. Mahanama wanted to follow several of his friends who had become bhikkhus, but when he learned that
his brother had similar thoughts, he changed his mind. There were only two sons in their family. He felt it would be a pity if both became
monks. And so Mahanama yielded to his younger brother’s desire and granted him the privilege of asking to be ordained.
But when Anuruddha asked his mother for her permission, she protested, “My sons are my only happiness in this life. If you become a
monk, I could not bear it.”
Anuruddha reminded her of the many other nobles who had already become bhikkhus. He told her how practicing the Way could bring
peace and happiness not only to the monk but to his family and society. Because Anuruddha listened to many of the Dharma talks the
Buddha had given at Nigrodha Park, he was able to speak eloquently about the teaching to his mother. Finally she said, “Very well, I will
let you go, but only on the condition that your good friend, Baddhiya, decides to become a bhikkhu as well.”
She was certain that Baddhiya would never consider becoming a bhikkhu. He was also a member of the imperial clan and commanded a
high post. His vast responsibilities and his esteemed reputation would be difficult to abandon for the simple life of a monk. But Anuruddha
lost no time in seeking out his friend. Baddhiya was the governor of the northern provinces. He had many soldiers under his command.
Even his own palace was flanked day and night by armed guards. All day his quarters bustled with the comings and goings of important
dignitaries.
Baddhiya received Anuruddha as an honored guest.
Anuruddha told him. “I want to leave home and become a bhikkhu under the Buddha’s guidance, but I cannot, and you are the reason
why.”
Baddhiya laughed, “What do you mean? How have I ever prevented you from becoming a bhikkhu? Why, I would do anything I could
to help you fulfill your wish.”
Anuruddha explained his predicament. He concluded by saying, “You have just said you would do anything you could to help me
become a bhikkhu. But the only way is for you to become a bhikkhu yourself.”
Baddhiya felt caught. It wasn’t that he did not also feel drawn to the Buddha and the Path of Awakening. In fact, he had secretly
intended to become a bhikkhu at a later date, though certainly not at present. He said, “In seven more years, I will become a bhikkhu. Wait
until then.”
“Seven years is too long to wait. Who knows if I will even be alive then?”
Baddhiya laughed. “What are you so pessimistic about? But very well, give me three years, and I will become a bhikkhu.”
“Even three years is too long.”
“Very well, seven months. I need to settle all my household arrangements and hand over my governing duties.”
“Why should one about to abandon home to follow the Way require so much time to settle his affairs? A bhikkhu freely leaves all behind
in order to follow the path of freedom and liberation. If you take too long, you might change your mind.”
“Alright, alright, my friend. Give me seven days and I will join you.”
Ecstatic, Anuruddha went home to inform his mother. She had not dreamed that Governor Baddhiya would so easily abandon his
prestigious position. Suddenly she sensed the power of the path of liberation and she felt better about letting her son leave home.
Anuruddha persuaded a number of other friends to join him. They were Bhagu, Kimbila, Devadatta, and Ananda. They were all princes
of the imperial clan. On the appointed day, they gathered at Devadatta’s house and set off in search of the Buddha. They were all of age
except Ananda who was still eighteen. But Ananda had received his father’s permission to follow his elder brother, Devadatta. The six
princes traveled by carriage until they reached a small town close to the Kosala border. They had heard that the Buddha was staying near