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

impermanence. Everything is impermanent and without a separate self. Everything must one day pass away. One day your own body will
pass away. When a person sees into the impermanent nature of all things, his way of looking becomes calm and serene. The presence of
impermanence does not disturb his heart and mind. And thus the feelings of pain that result from compassion do not carry the bitter and
heavy nature that other kinds of suffering do. On the contrary, compassion gives a person greater strength. Great King! Today you have
heard some of the basic tenets of the Way of Liberation. On another day, I would like to share more of the teachings with you.”
King Pasenadi’s heart was filled with gratitude. He stood up and bowed to the Buddha. He knew that one day soon he would ask to be
accepted as a lay disciple of the Buddha. He knew that Queen Mallika, Prince Jeta, and Princess Vajiri already felt a special bond with the
Buddha. He wanted the entire family to receive the refuges together. He knew that his younger sister, Kosaladevi, and her husband, King
Bimbisara, had already received them.
That evening, Queen Mallika and Princess Vajiri noticed a marked difference in the king. He seemed unusually calm and content. They
knew it was the result of his encounter with the Buddha. They wanted very much to ask the king about his meeting with the Buddha, but
they knew that they should wait and let the king tell them about it in his own time.