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The venerable said no more, but proceeded to enter into a state of deep concentration. Though his words had been few, his presence radiated peace and happiness, which most of the sisters found greatly encouraging. Some of the younger sisters, however, were disappointed by how short his talk was. They urged Bhikkhuni Gotami to ask if he might say something more. Bhikkhuni Gotami bowed to Venerable Bhanda and expressed the wish of the younger sisters. But Venerable Bhanda simply repeated the same poem again and then stepped down from the pedestal. Some days later, the Buddha was told about Venerable Bhanda’s Dharma talk. It was suggested to the Buddha that, in the future, monks more talented at speaking should give the Dharma talks. But the Buddha replied that a person’s presence was more important than his words. One morning after returning from his begging, the Buddha was unable to find Ananda. Venerable Rahula and others said they had not seen him. Then one bhikkhu reported that he had seen Ananda go begging in a nearby village of untouchables. The Buddha asked that bhikkhu to go to the village and look for Ananda. The bhikkhu found Ananda and returned with him to the monastery. He also brought back two women, a mother and her daughter, whose name was Prakriti. The Buddha listened to Ananda explain how he had been delayed that day. One day several weeks before, on his way back to the monastery after begging, Ananda suddenly felt thirsty. He stopped by the well in the untouchable village for a drink. There he found Prakriti lifting a bucket of water from the well. She was a beautiful young woman. Ananda asked her for a drink of water but she refused. She told him she was an untouchable and did not dare pollute a monk by offering him water. Ananda told her, “I do not need high rank or caste. I only need a drink of water. I would be happy to receive it from you. Please don’t be afraid of polluting me.” Prakriti offered him water at once. She felt drawn to this kind and handsome monk who spoke so gently. She was smitten with love. At night she could not sleep. All her thoughts were of Ananda. She waited by the well every day after that in hopes of catching a glimpse of him. She persuaded her mother to invite him to share a meal in their home. He accepted twice, but sensing that the young woman had fallen in love with him, he refused additional invitations. Prakriti was lovesick. She grew thin and pale. Finally she confessed her feelings to her mother. She said she wanted Ananda to renounce his vows and marry her. Her shocked mother shouted at her and told her it was a foolish and impossible love. But Prakriti said she would sooner die than give up Ananda. Fearing for her daughter’s health, Prakriti’s mother prepared an aphrodisiac in hopes she might get Ananda to respond to her daughter’s passion. She was from the Matanga clan and knew a number of shamanistic potions. Prakriti offered Ananda a drink of water from the well.
That morning, Prakriti met Ananda on the street and implored him to accept one last invitation to eat at their home. Ananda was confident he could offer Prakriti and her mother teaching that would enable Prakriti to let go of her desire for him. But he had no chance to teach anything before he drank the tainted tea. His head began to swim and his limbs went weak. He realized at once what had happened, and he turned to his breathing to counteract the effects of the herbs. The bhikkhu sent by the Buddha found him in Prakriti’s hut, sitting perfectly still in the lotus position. The Buddha gently asked Prakriti, “You love Bhikkhu Ananda deeply, don’t you?” Prakriti answered, “I love him with all my heart.” “What is it you love about him? Is it his eyes, his nose, or perhaps his mouth?” “I love everything about him—his eyes, his nose, his mouth, his voice, the way he walks. Master, I love everything about him.” “Besides his eyes, nose, mouth, voice, and walk, Bhikkhu Ananda possesses many beautiful qualities which you do not know yet.” “What qualities are those?” asked Prakriti. The Buddha answered, “His heart of love is one. Do you know what Bhikkhu Ananda loves?” “Sir, I do not know what he loves. I only know that he doesn’t love me.” “You are mistaken. Bhikkhu Ananda does love you, but not in the way you desire. Bhikkhu Ananda loves the path of liberation, freedom, peace, and joy. Thanks to the liberation and freedom he experiences, Bhikkhu Ananda often smiles. He loves all other beings. He wants to bring the path of liberation to all others so that they too may enjoy freedom, peace, and joy. Prakriti, Bhikkhu Ananda’s love comes from understanding and liberation. He does not suffer or feel hopeless because of his love, unlike the way your love makes you feel. If you truly love Bhikkhu Ananda, you will understand his love and you will allow him to continue living the life of liberation he has chosen. If you knew how to love in the way Bhikkhu Ananda does, you would no longer suffer and feel hopeless. Your suffering and hopelessness result from your wanting Bhikkhu Ananda all to yourself. That is a selfish kind of love.” Prakriti looked at the Buddha and asked, “But how can I love in the way that Bhikkhu Ananda loves?” “Love in a way that will preserve the happiness of Bhikkhu Ananda as well as your own happiness. Bhikkhu Ananda is like a fresh breeze. If you catch a breeze and trap it in a prison of love, the breeze will soon die and no one will be able to benefit from its coolness,
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Title Page Copyright Page BOOK ONE
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Chapter Sixty-Five - Neither Full n
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Books by the Same Author Being Peac
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During the walk back, Buddha introd
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Svasti was overcome with both fear
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Chapter Two Tending Water Buffaloes
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in the assembly took their own cush
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Here, before Svasti, stood a most a
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Chapter Four The Wounded Swan Early
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else like you in this world. Everyo
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Chapter Five A Bowl of Milk Every d
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children shared their food with one
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King Suddhodana grew alarmed and as
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she nodded in assent.
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As a result of his own reflections,
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Chapter Eight The Jewelled Necklace
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guests applauded their approval, an
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The following summer, as they were
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Chapter Ten Unborn Child During thi
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you succeed. I know that one day yo
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Time flew, and the day for Yasodhar
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Siddhartha fell silent, then consol
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Chapter Thirteen Beginning Spiritua
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which the mind becomes one with inf
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Siddhartha smiled. “Great King, I
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Chapter Fifteen Forest Ascetic Mast
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leaning over the water, its leaves
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Chapter Sixteen Was Yasodhara Sleep
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Chapter Seventeen Pippala Leaf Bene
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Chapter Eighteen The Morning Star H
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Svasti explained that he had the da
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Sujata joined her palms together an
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great peace and joy that attaining
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plants, tangerines, rivers, and air
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Chapter Twenty-One The Lotus Pond A
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Chapter Twenty-Two Turning the Whee
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Chapter Twenty-Three Dharma Nectar
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Chapter Twenty-Four Taking Refuge N
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Chapter Twenty-Five Music’s Lofty
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Chapter Twenty-Six Water Rises, Too
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Late in the afternoon, Kassapa came
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devotees? Who will guide them if yo
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obes for fear of disturbing the sou
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But Sariputta implored Assaji, “P
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Chapter Thirty Bamboo Forest It was
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her son, Prince Ajatasattu. She sho
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Chapter Thirty-One I Will Return in
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The Buddha quietly smiled in agreem
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and body. Feelings arise and pass a
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The Buddha spoke gently to her, “
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Chapter Thirty-Four Reunion Kaluday
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The Buddha immediately stood up and
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Chapter Thirty-Five Early Morning S
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Chapter Thirty-Six Lotus Vow Prince
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predicted so many lifetimes ago.
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so young become a bhikkhu?” The B
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Chapter Thirty-Eight O, Happiness!
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After the noon meal, the Buddha gav
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But Sudatta would not hear of it. H
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Jivaka, was unable to attend becaus
Page 126 and 127: One afternoon, the Buddha received
Page 128 and 129: “But how can I show my love for t
Page 130 and 131: Chapter Forty-Three Everyone’s Te
Page 132 and 133: community. Many condemned the Buddh
Page 134 and 135: One morning in early autumn just af
Page 136 and 137: Chapter Forty-Five Opening the Door
Page 138 and 139: Chapter Forty-Six A Handful of Sims
Page 140 and 141: The Buddha nodded his approval. He
Page 142 and 143: It was the tenth retreat season sin
Page 144 and 145: Chapter Forty-Eight Covering Mud wi
Page 146 and 147: Rahula set out a chair for the Budd
Page 148 and 149: others and wishes others well-being
Page 150 and 151: “Sariputta, if the bhikkhus grasp
Page 152 and 153: Chapter Fifty-One The Treasure of I
Page 154 and 155: The children appeared sorry for wha
Page 156 and 157: Chapter Fifty-Two Fields of Merit T
Page 158 and 159: future generations. When one makes
Page 160 and 161: Chapter Fifty-Three Dwelling in the
Page 162 and 163: The Buddha said, “No, Angulimala,
Page 164 and 165: Ahimsaka now.” The king stared lo
Page 166 and 167: When Tappasi delivered the news to
Page 168 and 169: The story of Bhikkhuni Patacara was
Page 170 and 171: BOOK THREE
Page 172 and 173: Of course, every bhikkhu and bhikkh
Page 174 and 175: that merit, may you and your child
Page 178 and 179: including yourself. Love Ananda as
Page 180 and 181: explained, ‘Several days ago, one
Page 182 and 183: depths of the Dharma speak few word
Page 184 and 185: Sonadanda smiled and joined his pal
Page 186 and 187: Chapter Sixty-One The Lion’s Roar
Page 188 and 189: could be saved overnight. Not long
Page 190 and 191: he spoke about the relation of the
Page 192 and 193: Chapter Sixty-Three All the Way to
Page 194 and 195: He recalled how some years ago, sev
Page 196 and 197: If you can see the teaching, you ca
Page 198 and 199: Chapter Sixty-Five Neither Full nor
Page 200 and 201: look at the empty Dharma hall, you
Page 202 and 203: Chapter Sixty-Six Four Mountains Ea
Page 204 and 205: Chapter Sixty-Seven Ocean Poet At t
Page 206 and 207: Chapter Sixty-Eight Three Wondrous
Page 208 and 209: The words used to transmit it shoul
Page 210 and 211: One day Venerable Anuruddha was sto
Page 212 and 213: Chapter Seventy The Quail and the F
Page 214 and 215: ise at any moment to submerge one.
Page 216 and 217: Being refused the chance to practic
Page 218 and 219: “And what if the strings are too
Page 220 and 221: Chapter Seventy-Two Quiet Resistanc
Page 222 and 223: held responsible for the actions of
Page 224 and 225: “No, Teacher, I am not yet marrie
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Chapter Seventy-Four Cry of the Ele
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his body between the Buddha and Nal
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Chapter Seventy-Five Tears of Happi
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“5. Share time, resources, and ha
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Chapter Seventy-Six The Fruits of P
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somewhat embarrassed, he said to hi
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The Buddha nodded his acceptance. H
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The Buddha regarded him kindly and
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Chapter Seventy-Eight Two Thousand
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The Ganga was so swollen from recen
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Chapter Seventy-Nine Sandalwood Tre
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hikkhus, and headed towards Kusinar
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Chapter Eighty Be Diligent! It was
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Chapter Eighty-One Old Path White C
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of Licchavi would build one in Vesa
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meditation. Just before dawn on the
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Chapter Contents & Sources
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Chapter One: Walking Just to Walk S
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Chapter Three: An Armful of Kusa Gr
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Chapter Five: A Bowl of Milk Sujata
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Chapter Seven: White Elephant Prize
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Chapter Nine: The Path of Compassio
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Chapter Eleven: Moonlight Flute Sid
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Chapter Thirteen: Beginning Spiritu
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Chapter Fifteen: Forest Ascetic Sid
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Chapter Seventeen: Pippala Leaf Ben
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Chapter Nineteen: Tangerine of Mind
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Chapter Twenty-One: The Lotus Pond
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Chapter Twenty-Three: Dharma Nectar
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Chapter Twenty-Five: Music’s Loft
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Chapter Twenty-Seven: All Dharmas A
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Chapter Twenty-Nine: Dependent Co-A
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Chapter Thirty: Bamboo Forest The B
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Chapter Thirty-Two: The Finger is N
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Chapter Thirty-Four: Reunion The Bu
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Chapter Thirty-Six: Lotus Vow Yasod
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Chapter Thirty-Eight: O, Happiness!
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Chapter Forty: Cover the Land in Go
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Chapter Forty-Two: Love Is Understa
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Chapter Forty-Four: The Elements Wi
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Chapter Forty-Six: A Handful of Sim
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Chapter Forty-Eight: Covering Mud w
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Chapter Fifty: A Handful of Bran Th
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Chapter Fifty-Two: Fields of Merit
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Chapter Fifty-Four: Dwell in Mindfu
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Book Three
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Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Raft Is No
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Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Net of Theo
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Chapter Sixty-One: The Lion’s Roa
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Chapter Sixty-Three: All the Way to
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Chapter Sixty-Five: Neither Full no
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Chapter Sixty-Seven: Ocean Poet Ven
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Chapter Sixty-Nine: Where Will the
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Chapter Seventy-One: The Art of Str
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Chapter Seventy-Three: Hidden Rice
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Chapter Seventy-Five: Tears of Happ
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Chapter Seventy-Seven: Stars in You
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Chapter Seventy-Nine: Sandalwood Tr
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Chapter Eighty-One: Old Path White
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