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Chapter Four The Wounded Swan Early the next morning, Svasti led his buffaloes to graze. By noon he had cut enough grass to fill two baskets. Svasti liked to let the buffaloes graze on the side of the river which bordered the forest. That way, when he finished gathering grass, he could stretch out in the cool breeze and not worry about the buffaloes wandering into someone’s rice fields. He carried only his sickle, the tool by which he earned his living. Svasti opened the small fistful of rice Bala had wrapped in a banana leaf for his lunch, but as he was about to eat, his thoughts turned to Siddhartha. “I could take this rice to the hermit, Siddhartha,” he thought. “Surely he won’t find my rice too humble.” Svasti wrapped the rice, and, leaving the buffaloes at the forest’s edge, followed the path to where he had met Siddhartha the day before. From a distance he saw his new friend sitting beneath the great pippala tree. But Siddhartha was not alone. Before him sat a girl just about Svasti’s age, dressed in a fine white sari. There was food already placed before him, and Svasti stopped abruptly. But Siddhartha looked up and called to him, “Svasti!” He motioned for the boy to join them. The girl in the white sari looked up, and Svasti recognized her as someone he had often passed on the village road. As Svasti approached, she moved to her left to make a place for him, and Siddhartha gestured him to sit down. In front of Siddhartha was a banana leaf which held a fistful of rice and a small amount of sesame salt. Siddhartha divided the rice into two portions. “Have you eaten yet, child?” “No, Mister, I haven’t.” “Well then, let’s share this.” Siddhartha handed Svasti half the rice, and Svasti joined his palms together in thanks, but refused the rice. He took out his own humble rice and said, “I’ve also brought some.” He opened his banana leaf to reveal coarse grains of brown rice, unlike the soft white grains on Siddhartha’s leaf. He had no sesame salt. Siddhartha smiled at the two children and said, “Shall we put all our rice together and share it?” He took half the white rice, dipped it in sesame salt and handed it to Svasti. Then he broke off half of Svasti’s rice ball and began to eat it with obvious delight. Svasti felt awkward, but seeing Siddhartha’s naturalness, he began to eat as well. “Your rice is so fragrant, Mister.” “Sujata brought it,” answered Siddhartha. “So her name is Sujata,” thought Svasti. She looked a bit older than Svasti, perhaps a year or two. Her large black eyes twinkled. Svasti stopped eating and said, “I’ve seen you before on the village road, but I didn’t know your name was Sujata.” “Yes, I am the daughter of the village chief of Uruvela. Your name is Svasti, isn’t it? Teacher Siddhartha was just telling me about you,” she said, adding gently, “Svasti, it is more correct to call a monk, ‘Teacher,’ than ‘Mister.’” Svasti nodded. Siddhartha smiled. “Well then, I don’t need to introduce you two. Do you know, children, why I eat in silence? These grains of rice and sesame are so precious, I like to eat silently so that I can appreciate them fully. Sujata, have you ever had a chance to taste brown rice? Even if you’ve already eaten, please taste a bit of Svasti’s rice. It is quite delicious. Now then, we can eat together in silence, and when we’ve finished, I’ll tell you a story.” Siddhartha, Svasti, and Sujata shared a meal in mindfulness.
Siddhartha broke off a piece of brown rice and handed it to Sujata. She joined her palms like a lotus and respectfully accepted it. The three of them ate quietly in the deep calm of the forest. When the rice and sesame were gone, Sujata gathered the banana leaves. She took a jug of fresh water from her side and poured some into the only cup she had brought. She lifted the cup to offer water to Siddhartha. He took it in his two hands and offered it to Svasti. Flustered, Svasti blurted, “Please, Mister, I mean, Teacher, please, you take the first drink.” Siddhartha answered in a soft voice, “You drink first, child. I want you to have the first drink.” Again he lifted and offered the cup to Svasti. Svasti felt confused but didn’t know how to refuse such an unaccustomed honor. He joined his palms in thanks and took the cup. He drank all the water in one long gulp. He handed the cup back to Siddhartha. Siddhartha asked Sujata to pour a second cup. When it was full he raised it to his lips and sipped the water slowly, with reverence and deep enjoyment. Sujata’s eyes did not stray from Siddhartha and Svasti during this exchange. When Siddhartha finished drinking, he asked Sujata to pour a third cup. This one he offered to her. She put down the water jug, joined her palms, and accepted the cup of water. She lifted it to her lips and drank in slow, small sips, just as Siddhartha had done. She was aware that this was the first time she had ever drunk from the same cup as an untouchable. But Siddhartha was her Teacher, and if he had done so, why shouldn’t she? And she noticed that she had no feeling whatsoever of being polluted. Spontaneously, she reached out and touched the buffalo boy’s hair. It was such a surprise, Svasti didn’t have a moment to move out of the way. Then Sujata finished drinking her water. She placed the empty cup on the ground and smiled at her two companions. Siddhartha nodded. “You children have understood. People are not born with caste. Everyone’s tears are salty, and everyone’s blood is red. It is wrong to divide people into castes and create division and prejudice among them. This has become very clear to me during my meditation.” Sujata looked thoughtful and she spoke, “We are your disciples and we believe your teaching. But there does not seem to be anyone
Page 2 and 3: Title Page Copyright Page BOOK ONE
Page 4: Chapter Sixty-Five - Neither Full n
Page 8 and 9: Books by the Same Author Being Peac
Page 10 and 11: During the walk back, Buddha introd
Page 12 and 13: Svasti was overcome with both fear
Page 14 and 15: Chapter Two Tending Water Buffaloes
Page 16 and 17: in the assembly took their own cush
Page 18 and 19: Here, before Svasti, stood a most a
Page 22 and 23: else like you in this world. Everyo
Page 24 and 25: Chapter Five A Bowl of Milk Every d
Page 26 and 27: children shared their food with one
Page 28 and 29: King Suddhodana grew alarmed and as
Page 30 and 31: she nodded in assent.
Page 32 and 33: As a result of his own reflections,
Page 34 and 35: Chapter Eight The Jewelled Necklace
Page 36 and 37: guests applauded their approval, an
Page 38 and 39: The following summer, as they were
Page 40 and 41: Chapter Ten Unborn Child During thi
Page 42 and 43: you succeed. I know that one day yo
Page 44 and 45: Time flew, and the day for Yasodhar
Page 46 and 47: Siddhartha fell silent, then consol
Page 48 and 49: Chapter Thirteen Beginning Spiritua
Page 50 and 51: which the mind becomes one with inf
Page 52 and 53: Siddhartha smiled. “Great King, I
Page 54 and 55: Chapter Fifteen Forest Ascetic Mast
Page 56 and 57: leaning over the water, its leaves
Page 58 and 59: Chapter Sixteen Was Yasodhara Sleep
Page 60 and 61: Chapter Seventeen Pippala Leaf Bene
Page 62 and 63: Chapter Eighteen The Morning Star H
Page 64 and 65: Svasti explained that he had the da
Page 66 and 67: Sujata joined her palms together an
Page 68 and 69: 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
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One afternoon, the Buddha received
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“But how can I show my love for t
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Chapter Forty-Three Everyone’s Te
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community. Many condemned the Buddh
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One morning in early autumn just af
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Chapter Forty-Five Opening the Door
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Chapter Forty-Six A Handful of Sims
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The Buddha nodded his approval. He
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It was the tenth retreat season sin
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Chapter Forty-Eight Covering Mud wi
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Rahula set out a chair for the Budd
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others and wishes others well-being
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“Sariputta, if the bhikkhus grasp
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Chapter Fifty-One The Treasure of I
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The children appeared sorry for wha
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Chapter Fifty-Two Fields of Merit T
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future generations. When one makes
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Chapter Fifty-Three Dwelling in the
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The Buddha said, “No, Angulimala,
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Ahimsaka now.” The king stared lo
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When Tappasi delivered the news to
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The story of Bhikkhuni Patacara was
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BOOK THREE
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Of course, every bhikkhu and bhikkh
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that merit, may you and your child
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The venerable said no more, but pro
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including yourself. Love Ananda as
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explained, ‘Several days ago, one
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depths of the Dharma speak few word
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Sonadanda smiled and joined his pal
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Chapter Sixty-One The Lion’s Roar
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could be saved overnight. Not long
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he spoke about the relation of the
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Chapter Sixty-Three All the Way to
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He recalled how some years ago, sev
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If you can see the teaching, you ca
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Chapter Sixty-Five Neither Full nor
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look at the empty Dharma hall, you
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Chapter Sixty-Six Four Mountains Ea
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Chapter Sixty-Seven Ocean Poet At t
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Chapter Sixty-Eight Three Wondrous
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The words used to transmit it shoul
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One day Venerable Anuruddha was sto
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Chapter Seventy The Quail and the F
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ise at any moment to submerge one.
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Being refused the chance to practic
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“And what if the strings are too
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Chapter Seventy-Two Quiet Resistanc
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held responsible for the actions of
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“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
Page 262 and 263:
Chapter Three: An Armful of Kusa Gr
Page 264 and 265:
Chapter Five: A Bowl of Milk Sujata
Page 266 and 267:
Chapter Seven: White Elephant Prize
Page 268 and 269:
Chapter Nine: The Path of Compassio
Page 270 and 271:
Chapter Eleven: Moonlight Flute Sid
Page 272 and 273:
Chapter Thirteen: Beginning Spiritu
Page 274 and 275:
Chapter Fifteen: Forest Ascetic Sid
Page 276 and 277:
Chapter Seventeen: Pippala Leaf Ben
Page 278 and 279:
Chapter Nineteen: Tangerine of Mind
Page 280 and 281:
Chapter Twenty-One: The Lotus Pond
Page 282 and 283:
Chapter Twenty-Three: Dharma Nectar
Page 284 and 285:
Chapter Twenty-Five: Music’s Loft
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Chapter Twenty-Seven: All Dharmas A
Page 288 and 289:
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Dependent Co-A
Page 290 and 291:
Chapter Thirty: Bamboo Forest The B
Page 292 and 293:
Chapter Thirty-Two: The Finger is N
Page 294 and 295:
Chapter Thirty-Four: Reunion The Bu
Page 296 and 297:
Chapter Thirty-Six: Lotus Vow Yasod
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Chapter Thirty-Eight: O, Happiness!
Page 300 and 301:
Chapter Forty: Cover the Land in Go
Page 302 and 303:
Chapter Forty-Two: Love Is Understa
Page 304 and 305:
Chapter Forty-Four: The Elements Wi
Page 306 and 307:
Chapter Forty-Six: A Handful of Sim
Page 308 and 309:
Chapter Forty-Eight: Covering Mud w
Page 310 and 311:
Chapter Fifty: A Handful of Bran Th
Page 312 and 313:
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
Page 320 and 321:
Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Net of Theo
Page 322 and 323:
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
Page 328 and 329:
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
Page 336 and 337:
Chapter Seventy-Five: Tears of Happ
Page 338 and 339:
Chapter Seventy-Seven: Stars in You
Page 340 and 341:
Chapter Seventy-Nine: Sandalwood Tr
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Chapter Eighty-One: Old Path White
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