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

Chapter Thirty-Nine
Waiting for Daybreak
Three days after the rainy season ended, a young man named Sudatta paid a visit to the Buddha to ask if he would come teach the Way of
Awakening in Kosala. Sudatta was an extremely wealthy merchant. He lived in the capital city, Savatthi, in the kingdom of Kosala which
was ruled by King Pasenadi. Sudatta was known to his countrypeople as a philanthropist who always set aside a generous portion of his
income to share with orphans and the destitute. His charitable efforts gave him much satisfaction and happiness. His people called him
“Anathapindika,” which means “the one who cares for the poor and abandoned.”
Sudatta traveled frequently to Magadha to buy and sell goods. When in Rajagaha, he stayed with his wife’s elder brother, who was also
a merchant. His brother-in-law always treated him with the greatest affection, assuring that every detail of his stay was pleasant. He was
staying with his brother-in-law at the end of the rainy season.
Unlike usual, his brother-in-law did not cater to many of his needs. Instead, he busily directed family members and servants in
preparation for some great feast. Sudatta was surprised to arrive and find the household in the midst of so much activity. He asked if they
were preparing to hold a wedding or death anniversary observance.
The brother-in-law answered, “Tomorrow I have invited the Buddha and his bhikkhus for a meal.”
Sudatta asked, with some surprise, “Doesn’t ‘Buddha’ mean ’one who is awake?’”
“That is right. The Buddha is an awakened person. He is an enlightened master. He is wondrous and radiant. Tomorrow you will have a
chance to meet this wonderful person.”
He could not explain why, but just hearing the name Buddha filled Sudatta with happiness and inspiration. He sat his brother-in-law
down and asked to hear more about this enlightened teacher. The brother-in-law explained how after watching the serene bhikkhus beg in
the city, he had gone to hear the Buddha at Bamboo Forest Monastery. He had become one of the Buddha’s lay disciples and had even
built a number of thatched huts at the monastery as an offering, in order to protect the bhikkhus from the sun and rain. He had overseen the
building of sixty huts in a single day.
Perhaps, Sudatta marvelled, it was from a past life connection, but he felt great love and respect for the Buddha well within his heart. He
could not wait until the following noon to meet the Buddha. He spent a restless night, anxiously waiting for daybreak so that he could pay a
morning visit to Bamboo Forest Monastery. Three times he arose from his bed to see if it was dawn yet, but each time the sky was still
dark. Unable to sleep anymore, he got up anyway. He dressed, slipped into his shoes, and walked out the door. The air was cold and
misty. He passed through Sivaka Gate and made his way to Bamboo Forest. By the time he arrived, the first rays of morning sunlight were
shining on the bamboo leaves. Though he wanted nothing more than to meet the Buddha, he felt somewhat nervous. To calm himself, he
whispered, “Sudatta, do not worry.”
At that very moment, the Buddha, who was doing walking meditation, passed Sudatta. He stopped and said softly, “Sudatta.”
Sudatta joined his palms and bowed before the Buddha. They walked to the Buddha’s hut, and Sudatta asked the Buddha if he had
slept well. The Buddha replied he had. Sudatta told the Buddha how restless a night he had spent, so anxious was he to come and meet the
Buddha. He asked the Buddha to teach him the Way. The Buddha spoke to Sudatta about understanding and love.
Sudatta was filled with great happiness. He prostrated before the Buddha and asked to become a lay disciple. The Buddha accepted
him. Sudatta also invited the Buddha and all his bhikkhus to come have a meal the following day at the home of his brother-in-law.
The Buddha laughed gently. “My bhikkhus and I have already been invited to eat there today. There is no reason we should expect to
eat there tomorrow, too.”
Sudatta said, “Today my brother-in-law will host you. Tomorrow shall be my offering. I regret I do not have a house of my own in
Rajagaha. I entreat you to accept my invitation.”
The Buddha smiled his acceptance. Overjoyed, Sudatta bowed again and then quickly returned home to assist his brother-in-law with
preparations for that day’s meal offering.
When Sudatta heard more of the Buddha’s teaching at his brother-in-law’s home, his happiness knew no bounds. He accompanied the
Buddha and the bhikkhus to the gate when the teaching was finished, and at once began to prepare for the following day’s meal offering.
His brother-in-law joined his efforts with enthusiasm and even said, “Sudatta, you are still my guest. Why don’t you let me take care of all
the preparations.”