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else like you in this world. Everyone else believes that the sudras and the untouchables came forth from the Creator’s feet. Even the scriptures say so. No one dares to think differently.” “Yes, I know. But the truth is the truth whether anyone believes it or not. Though a million people may believe a lie, it is still a lie. You must have great courage to live according to the truth. Let me tell you a story about when I was a boy. “One day, when I was nine years old and strolling alone in the garden, a swan suddenly dropped from the sky and writhed on the ground in front of me in great pain. I ran to pick it up, and I discovered that an arrow had deeply penetrated one of its wings. I clasped my hand firmly around the arrow’s shaft and yanked it out, and the bird cried as blood oozed from its wound. I applied pressure to the wound with my finger to stop the bleeding, and took the bird inside the palace to find princess Sundari, the lady in waiting. She agreed to pick a handful of medicinal leaves and make a poultice for the bird’s wound. The swan shivered, so I took off my jacket and wrapped it around her. Then I placed her close to the royal fireplace.” Siddhartha paused for a moment to look at Svasti. “Svasti, I did not tell you yet, but when I was young I was a prince, the son of King Suddhodana in the city of Kapilavatthu. Sujata knows this already. I was about to go find some rice for the swan when my eight-year-old cousin, Devadatta, burst into the room. He was clutching his bow and arrows, and he asked excitedly, ‘Siddhartha, did you see a white swan fall down near here?’ “Before I could answer, Devadatta saw the swan resting by the fireplace. He ran towards it, but I stopped him. “‘You may not take the bird.’ “My cousin protested, ‘That bird is mine. I shot it myself.’ “I stood between Devadatta and the swan, determined not to let him have it. I told him, ‘This bird is wounded. I’m protecting it. It needs to stay here.’ “Devadatta was quite stubborn and not about to give in. He argued, ‘Now listen, cousin, when this bird was flying in the sky, it didn’t belong to anyone. As I’m the one who shot it out of the sky, it rightfully belongs to me.’ “His argument sounded logical, but his words made me angry. I knew there was something wrong with his reasoning, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. So I just stood there, speechless, becoming more upset. I felt like punching him. Why I didn’t, I don’t know. Then, I saw a way to answer him. “‘Listen, cousin,’ I told him, ‘Those who love each other live together, and those who are enemies live apart. You tried to kill the swan, so you and she are enemies. The bird cannot live with you. I saved her, bandaged her wound, warmed her, and was on my way to find food for her when you arrived. The bird and I love each other, and we can live together. The bird needs me, not you.’” Sujata clapped her hands together, “That’s right! You were right!” Siddhartha looked at Svasti. “And what do you think, child, of my statement?” Svasti thought for a moment and then answered slowly, “I think you were right. But not many people would agree. Most people would side with Devadatta.” Siddhartha nodded. “You are right. Most people do follow Devadatta’s view. “Let me tell you what happened next. As we couldn’t agree on our own, we decided to take our concern to the adults. That day there was a meeting of the government in the palace, so we scurried to the hall of justice, where they were meeting. I held the swan and Devadatta clasped his bow and arrows. We presented our problem to the ministers and asked them to render judgment. The affairs of state came to a halt as the men listened, first to Devadatta and then to me. They discussed the matter at length, but they also were unable to agree. The majority seemed to be leaning towards Devadatta, when my father, the king, suddenly cleared his throat and coughed a few times. All the ministers suddenly stopped speaking, and—tell me if you don’t think this is odd—with total accord, they agreed that my argument was correct and that the bird should be given to me. Devadatta was beside himself with anger, but of course, there was nothing he could do. “I had the bird, but I wasn’t really happy. Even though I was still young, I knew that my victory had been less than honorable. I was given the bird because the ministers wanted to please my father, not because they saw the truth of what I said.” “That’s sad,” Sujata said and frowned. “Yes, it was. But turning my thoughts to the bird, I took comfort in the fact that she was safe. Otherwise she surely would have ended up in a cooking pot. “In this world, few people look with the eyes of compassion, and so we are cruel and merciless toward each other. The weak are always oppressed by the strong. I still see that my reasoning that day was correct, for it arose from love and understanding. Love and understanding can ease the suffering of all beings. The truth is the truth, whether or not it is accepted by the majority. Therefore, I tell you children, it takes great courage to stand up for and protect what is right.”
“What happened to the swan, Teacher?” asked Sujata. “For four days, I cared for her. When I saw that her wound had healed, I released her, after warning her to fly far away lest she be shot again.” Siddhartha looked at the two children, their faces quiet and serious. “Sujata, you must return home before your mother begins to worry. Svasti, isn’t it time for you to return to your buffaloes and cut more grass? The armful of kusa grass you gave me yesterday made a perfect cushion for meditation. Last night and this morning, I sat upon it and my meditation was very peaceful. I saw many things clearly. You have been a great help, Svasti. As my understanding deepens, I shall share the fruit of my meditation with both you children. Now I will continue sitting.” Svasti looked down at the grass which Siddhartha had shaped into a cushion. Though the grasses were packed firm, Svasti knew they were still fragrant and soft. He would bring his teacher a fresh armful of grass every three days to make a new cushion. Svasti stood up and, with Sujata, joined his palms and bowed to Siddhartha. Sujata set out for home and Svasti led his buffaloes to graze further along the riverbank.
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 20 and 21: Chapter Four The Wounded Swan Early
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
Page 70 and 71: plants, tangerines, rivers, and air
Page 72 and 73:
Chapter Twenty-One The Lotus Pond A
Page 75 and 76:
Chapter Twenty-Two Turning the Whee
Page 78 and 79:
Chapter Twenty-Three Dharma Nectar
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Chapter Twenty-Four Taking Refuge N
Page 82 and 83:
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, “
Page 106 and 107:
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
Page 260 and 261:
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
Page 286 and 287:
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
Page 298 and 299:
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
Page 314 and 315:
Chapter Fifty-Four: Dwell in Mindfu
Page 316 and 317:
Book Three
Page 318 and 319:
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
Page 324 and 325:
Chapter Sixty-Three: All the Way to
Page 326 and 327:
Chapter Sixty-Five: Neither Full no
Page 328 and 329:
Chapter Sixty-Seven: Ocean Poet Ven
Page 330 and 331:
Chapter Sixty-Nine: Where Will the
Page 332 and 333:
Chapter Seventy-One: The Art of Str
Page 334 and 335:
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
Page 342 and 343:
Chapter Eighty-One: Old Path White
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