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

The Buddha regarded him kindly and said, “Please speak.”
“Lord, I have total faith in you, the Enlightened One. I have total faith in the Dharma and in the Sangha. I have known many brahmans
and practitioners of other sects. I have watched so many of them practice in an upright manner for ten, twenty, thirty, or even forty years,
only to finally abandon their practice to return to a life of indulgence. But among your bhikkhus, I do not see anyone abandoning his
practice.
“Lord, I have seen kings oppose other kings, generals plot against other generals, brahmans compete with other brahmans, wives berate
husbands, children accuse their parents, brothers argue with brothers, and friends fight with friends. But I see the bhikkhus living in
harmony, joy, and mutual respect. They live together like milk and water. Nowhere else have I witnessed such harmony.
“Lord, wherever I go, I see spiritual practitioners whose faces are lined with worry, anxiety, and hardship. But your bhikkhus look
refreshed and happy, relaxed and carefree. Lord, all these things strengthen my faith in you and your teaching.
“Lord, I am a king from the warrior caste. It is within my power to order anyone’s death or to condemn anyone to prison. Even so,
during councils with my ministers, I am often interrupted. But in your sangha, even when a thousand bhikkhus are gathered, there is never
so much as a murmur or the rustling of a single robe to disturb your speaking. That is marvelous, Lord. You do not need to wield a sword
or threaten others with punishment to be paid absolute respect. Lord, this strengthens my faith in you and your teaching.
“Lord, I have watched famous scholars scheme together to come up with questions that will confound you. But when they meet with you
and hear you expound the Pharma, their mouths fall open and they forget their useless questions. They express nothing but admiration for
you. Lord, this also strengthens my faith in you and your teaching.
“Lord, there are two highly skilled horsemen named Isidatta and Purana who work in the palace. They receive their wages from me, but
the respect they hold for me is nothing compared to the respect they hold for you. I once took them with me on one of my travels. We
were caught in a storm one night and had to seek shelter in a tiny palm-leaf hut. For most of the night, the horsemen spoke about your
teaching. When they finally went to sleep, they slept with their heads in the direction of Vulture Peak and their feet pointing to me! You
don’t give them any wages, Lord, but they regard you far more highly than they do me. This also strengthens my faith in you and your
teaching.
“Lord, you came from the same warrior caste as me. We are both seventy-eight years old this year. I wanted to take this occasion to
express my gratitude for the deep friendship we have shared. With your permission, I will now take my leave.”
“Please, your majesty,” said the Buddha, “take good care of your health.”
He walked with the king to the door. When the Buddha turned back to Ananda and Sariputta, he saw them standing silently with their
palms joined. He said, “Sariputta and Ananda, King Pasenadi has just expressed his innermost sentiments about the three gems. Please
share these things with others to help them strengthen their own faith.”
The next month, the Buddha returned south to Vulture Peak. Upon his arrival he received two sad announcements. King Pasenadi had
died under disturbing circumstances, and Venerable Moggallana had been murdered by hostile ascetics just outside Bamboo Forest.
King Pasenadi did not die peacefully in his palace in Savatthi. He died in Rajagaha in circumstances hardly befitting a king. After visiting
the Buddha that day in Medalumpa, the king walked back to his carriage. He was surprised to find only one carriage instead of the four he
had left there. His attendant informed him that General Karayana had forced the others to return to Savatthi. The general still held the king’s
crown and sword. He told Prince Vidudabha to return at once to Savatthi and claim the throne as his own. The general said King Pasenadi
was too old and weak to reign any longer. The prince was unwilling, but when General Karayana threatened to usurp the throne himself, the
prince felt he had no choice but to obey the general’s wishes.
King Pasenadi headed straight to Rajagaha intending to ask his nephew and son-in-law, King Ajatasattu, for assistance. The king was
too upset to eat anything along the way and only drank a small amount of water. When they reached Rajagaha it was too late to disturb the
palace. The king and his attendant checked into a local inn. That night the king fell suddenly ill and died in his attendant’s arms before help
could be sought. The attendant sobbed inconsolably over his king’s sorry fate. When King Ajatasattu learned what had happened in the
morning, he sent for King Pasenadi’s body and ordered a solemn and majestic funeral be organized. When the funeral was over, he wanted
to send soldiers to topple King Vidudabha, but he was discouraged by Bhikkhu Vimala Kondanna, formerly the physician Jivaka, who said
that as King Pasenadi had already passed away and the new king was a rightful heir, there was no point in starting a war. Heeding this
counsel, King Ajatasattu sent an envoy to Savatthi to express his recognition of the new king.
Venerable Moggallana was one of the Buddha’s finest senior disciples, ranking with Sariputta and Kondanna. Many senior disciples had
already passed away, including Kondanna, who had been among the Buddha’s first five disciples. The Kassapa brothers had all died, and
so had Abbess Mahapajapati. Bhikkhu Rahula had died at the age of fifty-one, shortly after his mother, Bhikkhuni Yasodhara died.
Venerable Moggallana was known for his fearless, upright character. He always spoke the truth directly and without compromise.
Because of that, he had earned the hatred of others outside the sangha. The day of his death, he set out, accompanied by two disciples,
quite early in the morning. Assassins were hiding just outside the monastery, waiting for him. When he appeared, they rushed out and began