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

The Buddha said, “Your majesty, that is the first fruit a bhikkhu reaps. He is liberated from racial, social, and caste prejudice. His human
dignity is restored.”
The king said, “Wonderful, Lord! Please tell me more.”
The Buddha continued, “Your majesty, dignity is only the first fruit. A bhikkhu observes two hundred fifty precepts which enable him to
dwell in calm peace. People who do not observe precepts are more easily misguided. They may commit such crimes as lying, drunkenness,
sexual misconduct, stealing, and even murder. They bring cruel punishment on their minds and bodies by acting this way. They may be
arrested and put in jail by the police and government officials. A bhikkhu observes the precepts of not killing, not stealing, not engaging in
sexual misconduct, not lying, and not using alcohol. In addition, he observes more than two hundred other precepts which assure him a
carefree life unknown to those who do not observe precepts. Precepts help prevent one from falling into error, thus assuring a carefree
state. That is another fruit of spiritual practice which can be enjoyed right in the present moment.”
The king said, “Wonderful, Lord! Please tell me more.”
The Buddha continued, “Your majesty, a bhikkhu owns no more than three robes and a begging bowl. He has no fear of losing his
possessions or being robbed. He knows he will not be attacked in the night by people who want to steal his wealth. He is free to sleep
alone in the forest beneath a tree, relaxed and without worries. Freedom from fear is a great happiness. That is another fruit of spiritual
practice which can be enjoyed right in the present moment.”
The king trembled and he said, “Wonderful, Lord! Please tell me more.”
The Buddha continued, “Your majesty, a bhikkhu lives simply. Though he eats only one meal a day, his bowl receives offerings from a
thousand different homes. He does not chase after wealth or fame. He uses only what he needs and remains unattached to desires. Living in
such carefree ease is a great happiness. That is another fruit of spiritual practice which can be enjoyed right in the present moment.”
The king said, “Wonderful, Lord! Please tell me more.”
The Buddha continued, “Your majesty, if you knew how to practice full awareness of breathing and how to meditate, you could
experience the happiness of one who follows the path. It is the happiness that meditation brings. A bhikkhu observes the six sense organs
and overcomes the five obstacles of the mind which are greed, hatred, ignorance, torpor, and doubt. He uses the full awareness of
breathing to create joy and happiness that nourishes his mind and body and helps him to make progress on the path of enlightenment. The
pleasant sensations which result from gratifying sense desires are no measure for the joy and happiness that meditation brings. The joy and
happiness of meditation permeates mind and body, heals all anxiety, sorrow, and despair, and enables the practitioner to experience the
wonders of life. Your majesty, that is one of the most important fruits of spiritual practice and one which can be enjoyed right in the present
moment.”
The king said, “Wonderful, Lord! Please tell me more.”
The Buddha continued, “Your majesty, thanks to dwelling diligently in mindfulness and observing the precepts, the bhikkhu is able to
build concentration which he can use to illuminate all dharmas. Thanks to his penetrating illumination, he sees the selfless and impermanent
nature of all dharmas. Thanks to seeing the selfless and impermanent nature of all dharmas, he is no longer entangled by any dharma. He
can thus cut through the ropes of bondage which bind most people—the ropes of greed, hatred, desire, laziness, doubt, false view of self,
extreme views, wrong views, distorted views, and views advocating unnecessary prohibitions. Cutting through all these ropes, the bhikkhu
attains liberation and true freedom. Your majesty, liberation is a great happiness and one of the greatest fruits of spiritual practice. There are
bhikkhus sitting here tonight who have attained that fruit. This fruit, your majesty, can be attained right here in this life.”
The king exclaimed, “Wonderful, Lord! Please tell me more.”
The Buddha continued, “Your majesty, thanks to illuminating and seeing deeply into the nature of all dharmas, a bhikkhu knows that all
dharmas are neither produced nor destroyed, neither defiled nor immaculate, neither increasing nor decreasing, neither one nor many,
neither coming nor going. Thanks to this understanding, a bhikkhu does not discriminate. He regards all dharmas with complete equanimity,
without fear or worry. He rides the waves of birth and death in order to save all beings. He shows all beings the Way so they too can taste
liberation, joy, and happiness. Your majesty, being able to help others free themselves from the maze of desire, hatred, and ignorance is a
great happiness. Such happiness is a sublime fruit of spiritual practice which begins to be realized in the present and extends to the future.
Your majesty, in all of his contacts, a bhikkhu remembers his responsibility to guide others on the path of virtue and liberation. Bhikkhus do
not engage in partisan politics but they contribute to building peace, joy, and virtue in society. The fruits of his spiritual practice are not for
the bhikkhu’s sole enjoyment and benefit. They are the people’s and country’s inheritance.”
The king stood up and joined his palms in deepest respect. He said, “Most sublime Teacher! Lord! By the use of simple words, you
have shown me the light. You have helped me see the true value of the Dharma. Lord, you have rebuilt that which was in ruins, revealed
that which was concealed, shown the way to one who was lost, and brought light into the darkness. Please, Lord, accept me as your
disciple, as you accepted my parents in the past.”
The king prostrated himself before the Buddha.