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

But Sudatta would not hear of it. He insisted on taking care of all the expenses himself, only agreeing to let the family help ready the
home and cook some of the dishes.
When Sudatta heard more of the Buddha’s teaching the next day, his heart opened like a flower. He knelt down and said, “Lord
Buddha, the people of Kosala have not yet had an opportunity to welcome you and your sangha and to learn the Way of Awakening.
Please consider my invitation for you to come to Kosala and spend a period of time. Please show compassion to the people of Kosala.”
The Buddha agreed to discuss the idea with his senior disciples. He promised to give Sudatta a response within a few days.
A few days later Sudatta visited Bamboo Forest Monastery and received the happy news that the Buddha had decided to accept his
invitation. The Buddha asked him if there would be some suitable place near Savatthi where a large community of bhikkhus could dwell.
Sudatta assured him that he would find a place and would provide for all the sangha’s needs while they were there. Sudatta also suggested
that the Buddha allow Venerable Sariputta to come to Kosala with him first in order to assist in preparations for the Buddha’s arrival. The
Buddha asked Sariputta whether or not he would like that, and Sariputta replied he would be happy to go.
A week later Sudatta came to Bamboo Forest where he met Sariputta. They set off together, crossing the Ganga and traveling to Vesali,
where they were met by Ambapali, and they rested the night in her mango grove. Sariputta told her that she could expect the Buddha and a
large number of bhikkhus to pass through Vesali on their way to Kosala in another six months. Ambapali said she would be most happy to
offer them food and a place to sleep. She told Sariputta and Sudatta that she was most honored to receive them as guests. She
commended the young merchant on his many charitable works and encouraged him in his efforts to have the Buddha bring the teaching to
Kosala.
After bidding farewell to Ambapali, they headed northwest along the banks of the Aciravati River. Sudatta had never walked such
distances before, having always used a carriage in the past. Everywhere they stopped, he announced to people that the Buddha and his
sangha would be traveling through the land, and he asked the people to welcome him.
“The Buddha is an awakened master. Prepare to welcome him and his sangha with jubilation.”
Kosala was a large and prosperous kingdom, no less powerful than Magadha. Its southern border was marked by the Ganga and its
northern border brushed the feet of the Himalayas. Sudatta, or “Anathapindika,” was known to everyone wherever they went. The people
trusted what he told them, and they all looked forward to meeting the Buddha and his sangha. Every morning when Venerable Sariputta
went begging, Sudatta accompanied him to speak to as many people as he could about the Buddha.
They reached Savatthi after a month. Sudatta invited Sariputta to his home for a meal and introduced him to his parents and wife. He
asked Sariputta to speak about the Dharma, after which his parents and wife asked to take the three refuges and five precepts. Sudatta’s
wife was a lovely and graceful woman. Her name was Punnalakkhana. They had four children—three girls and a boy. The daughters were
named Subhadha Elder, Subhadha Younger, and Sumagadha. Their son, the youngest child, was named Rala.
Sariputta begged every morning in the city and slept in the forest by the banks of the river at night. Sudatta lost no time in searching for a
place to host the Buddha and the bhikkhus.