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

Chapter Sixty-Seven
Ocean Poet
At the end of the retreat season, many monks bid farewell to the Buddha and then took to the road to spread the Dharma. Venerable
Punna, one of the Buddha’s most capable and respected bhikkhus, told the Buddha of his plans to return to his native region in order to
teach the Dharma. He was from the island Sunaparanta located in the Eastern Sea.
The Buddha said, “I have heard that your native land is still largely uncivilized and that many of the people there are known for their
fierce nature and violent conflicts. I’m not sure whether it is a good idea for you to go there to teach.”
Venerable Punna responded, “Lord, it is precisely because the people are still fierce and uncivilized that I wish to go teach there. I can
show them the way of compassion and nonviolence. I believe I will be successful.”
“Punna, what if they scream and curse at you?”
“Respected Buddha, that is nothing. At least they won’t be throwing rocks and garbage at me.”
“What if they do throw rocks and garbage at you?”
“Respected Buddha, that would still be nothing. At least they won’t be beating me with sticks and clubs.”
“What if they do beat you with sticks and clubs?”
Venerable Punna laughed. “I would still consider them gentle. After all, they won’t be killing me.”
“Punna, what if they do kill you?”
“I doubt very much that will come to pass, Lord. But if it does, I would consider dying on behalf of the way of compassion and
nonviolence a meaningful death that may even help demonstrate the teaching. Everyone must die. I would not regret dying for the Way.”
The Buddha praised him, “You are wonderful, Punna! You possess the courage to spread the Dharma in Sunaparanta. Actually, I only
asked all these questions for the benefit of the other bhikkhus standing here. I have no doubts about your abilities and your practice of
nonviolence.”
Venerable Punna had formerly been a merchant. He and his brother-in-law traded local products from Sunaparanta with merchants in
Savatthi. They traveled by boat and ox cart. One day while waiting for a shipment of goods to arrive in Savatthi, Punna met a group of
bhikkhus out begging. He was deeply impressed by their serene demeanor, so he went to Jetavana to hear the Buddha give a Dharma talk.
By the end of the Dharma talk, Punna no longer desired to be a merchant; he wanted to become a bhikkhu. He gave the rest of his goods
and money to his brother-in-law and was ordained in the Buddha’s sangha. He made quick progress in his practice and was soon a
capable teacher himself. He traveled throughout Kosala and Magadha spreading the Dharma. All the bhikkhus were confident he would
succeed in his native land.
The next spring, the Buddha returned east. He stopped in Vesali and Campa. He followed the river to the sea where he taught along the
coast. One day as they stood at the sea’s edge, Ananda said to him, “Lord, listening to the sound of the tide and looking out over the
waves, I follow my breath and dwell in the present moment. My mind and body find perfect ease. I find that the ocean renews me.” The
Buddha nodded.
Another day the bhikkhus stopped to talk with a fisherman. Venerable Ananda asked him his feelings about the sea. The man was tall
and handsome, his skin bronzed by the sun. He told Ananda, “I love many things about the ocean. First, the sandy shores gently slope
downwards into the water which makes it easier for us to drag our boats and nets. Second, the ocean stays in the same place. You always
know where to find it. Third, the ocean never holds on to a corpse but thrusts it back onto the shore. Fourth, all rivers—Ganga, Yamuna,
Aciravati, Sarabhu, Mahi—empty into the ocean and leave their own names behind. The sea receives them all. Fifth, even though rivers
empty into the sea, day and night, the ocean remains at the same level. Sixth, sea water is always salty. Seventh, the ocean contains
beautiful coral, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones. Eighth, the ocean gives refuge to thousands of living beings, from enormous creatures
that measure hundreds of feet in length to creatures no bigger than the eye of a needle or a speck of dust. I think you can see, Venerable,
how much I love the ocean.”
Ananda looked at the fisherman with admiration. Though he was a simple fisherman, he spoke like a poet. Ananda turned to the Buddha
and said, “How eloquently this man has praised the sea! He loves it in the way I love the Way of Enlightenment. May we hear more of your
teaching?”
The Buddha smiled and pointed to some large rocks. He said, “Let’s go sit on those rocks while I speak to you of the special