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

Chapter Fifty-Four
Dwell in Mindfulness
News about Angulimala’s ordination spread quickly throughout the city. Everyone sighed with relief. Even neighboring kingdoms soon
learned of the murderer’s transformation, and the people held the Buddha and his sangha in ever greater esteem.
The sangha continued to attract many bright and able young men who abandoned other sects to follow the teaching of the Buddha. The
story of how lay disciple Upali left the Nigantha sect became a heated topic of conversation among religious circles in Magadha and
Kosala. Upali was a wealthy and talented young man who lived in northern Magadha. He was one of the chief patrons of the Nigantha sect,
led by a teacher named Nataputta. The ascetics of Nigantha lived most frugally, shunning even clothes, and they were highly regarded by
the people.
That spring, the Buddha was dwelling in Pavarika Mango Grove in Nalanda. He received a visit from one of Nataputta’s senior students,
the ascetic Digha Tappasi, who stopped by one day after begging in Nalanda. The Buddha learned from Tappasi that the followers of
Nigantha did not speak of karma (karmani), but only of sins (dandani). Tappasi explained that there were three kinds of sin: sins
committed by the body, sins caused by wrong speech, and sinful thoughts. When the Buddha asked him which form of sin was the most
serious, the ascetic answered, “Sins committed by the body are the most serious.”
The Buddha told him that according to the Way of Awakening, unwholesome thought was considered more serious because the mind
was more fundamental. Ascetic Tappasi had the Buddha repeat this three times so that he could recant it later. He then took his leave and
returned to Nataputta who burst out laughing when Tappasi told him what the Buddha had said.
Nataputta said, “That monk Gautama has made a grave error. Sinful thought and speech are not the greatest sins. Sins committed by the
body are the most serious and have the longest lasting consequences. Ascetic Tappasi, you have grasped the essentials of my teaching.”
A number of other disciples were present during this exchange, including the merchant Upali who was visiting with several of his friends
from Balaka. Upali expressed an interest in visiting the Buddha himself to challenge the Buddha’s view on this matter. Nataputta
encouraged Upali to go, but Tappasi expressed reservations. He was worried that the Buddha might be able to convince Upali and perhaps
even convert him.
Nataputta had great faith in Upali and said, “There is no need to fear that Upali will leave us to become a disciple of Gautama’s. Who
can say, perhaps Gautama will become a disciple of Upali’s!”
Tappasi still tried to discourage Upali from going, but Upali’s mind was set. When Upali met the Buddha, he was immediately impressed
by the Buddha’s lively and stimulating way of speaking. By using seven examples, the Buddha showed Upali why unwholesome thought
was more fundamental than unwholesome speech or action. The Buddha knew that disciples of the Nigantha sect observed the precept not
to kill. He knew how careful they were not to step on insects for fear they would crush them, and he praised them for this. Then he asked
Upali, “If you do not intentionally step on an insect, but do so accidentally, have you committed a sin?”
Upali responded, “Master Nataputta says that if you did not intend to kill, you have not committed a sin.”
The Buddha smiled and said, “Then Master Nataputta agrees that thought is what is fundamental. How then can he maintain that sinful
action is more serious?”
Upali was impressed with the Buddha’s clarity and wisdom. He later confessed to the Buddha that the first example was sufficiently
convincing, and he had only pressed the Buddha to provide more examples in order to have a chance to listen to more of the Buddha’s
teaching. When the Buddha finished explaining the seventh example, Upali prostrated before him and asked to be accepted as a disciple.
The Buddha said, “Upali, you should consider such a request carefully. A man of your intelligence and stature should not make a hasty
decision. Reflect until you are sure.”
The Buddha’s words made Upali respect him all the more. He could see that the Buddha was not interested in converting others in order
to add to his own prestige. No other spiritual teacher had ever told Upali to reflect carefully before supporting his community. Upali
answered, “Lord, I have reflected enough. Please allow me to take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. I am most grateful
and happy to have discovered the true and correct path.”
The Buddha said, “Disciple Upali, you have long been a major patron of the Nigantha sect. Even though you take refuge with me, please
do not cease making offerings to your former sect.”
Upali said, “Lord, you are truly noble. You are open and generous, unlike any teacher I have ever known.”