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

future, King Ajatasattu will indeed send his army to fight Vajji.”
That afternoon, the Buddha asked Venerable Ananda to invite all the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis currently in Rajagaha to assemble at
Vulture Peak. When, after seven days, they were all gathered, they numbered two thousand. It was a splendid sight to see so many saffron
robes against the mountain.
The Buddha walked slowly from his hut down to the Dharma platform where the monks and nuns were gathered. He stepped up onto
the platform, looked out over the community, smiled and said, “Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis, the Tathagata will teach you the Seven Methods
to prevent the teaching and sangha from falling into decline. Listen!
“First, meet frequently in groups to study and discuss the Dharma. Second, always gather and disperse in a spirit of cooperation and
unity. Third, respect and follow the precepts which have been enacted. Fourth, respect and follow the guidance of elders in the sangha who
possess virtue and experience. Fifth, live a pure and simple life, unswayed by desire and greed. Sixth, cherish a calm and peaceful life.
Seventh, dwell in mindfulness in order to realize peace, joy, and liberation, and to become a refuge and support to friends along the path.
“Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis, if you live by these seven practices, the Dharma will flourish and the sangha cannot fall into decline. Nothing
outside will be able to disturb the sangha. Only division and discord from within can cause the sangha to break. Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis,
when a lion king dies in the mountain forest, no animals dare eat its flesh. Only the worms in its own body devour it from within. Protect the
Dharma by living according to these seven practices. Never become as worms which devour a lion’s corpse from within.”
The Buddha also counselled the monks and nuns to avoid wasting precious time by engaging in idle conversation, oversleeping, pursuing
fame and recognition, chasing after desires, spending time with people of poor character, and being satisfied with only a shallow
understanding of the teaching. He reminded them of the Seven Factors of Awakening as the path every bhikkhu and bhikkhuni should travel
—mindful—ness, investigating dharmas, energy, joy, ease, concentration, and letting go. He also repeated the teachings on impermanence,
emptiness of self, non-attachment, liberation, and overcoming desire and greed.
The two thousand monks and nuns remained on Vulture Peak for ten days. They slept beneath trees, in caves and huts, or by mountain
streams. The Buddha gave them a Dharma talk every day. On the tenth and final day, the Buddha told them they could return to their own
centers.
After the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis departed, the Buddha turned to Venerable Ananda and said, “We will visit Bamboo Forest
tomorrow.”
After visiting Bamboo Forest, the Buddha and Ananda left Rajagaha and headed towards Ambalatthika, the refreshing park set aside
long ago by King Bimbisara for followers of the Way. The bhikkhus often rested there on their way to Nalanda. Venerable Sariputta had
once dwelled there with Rahula. The Buddha visited and instructed the bhikkhus living in Ambalatthika. He spoke about Precepts,
Concentration, and Understanding.
The Buddha proceeded to Nalanda accompanied by a hundred bhikkhus. Venerables Ananda, Sariputta, and Anuruddha walked close
by his side. When they reached Nalanda, the Buddha rested in Pavarika’s mango grove.
The next morning, Venerable Sariputta sat for a long quiet moment by the Buddha’s side. Finally, he said, “Lord, I am sure that in the
past, present, or future, there is no spiritual teacher whose wisdom and attainment surpasses yours.”
The Buddha said, “Sariputta, those words are as bold as a lion’s roar. Have you met all the spiritual teachers in the past, present, and
future that you dare make such a statement?”
“Lord, I have not met all the masters of the three realms, but there is one thing I know for certain. I have lived close by you for more than
forty-five years. I have heard your teaching and I have observed the way you live. I know that you dwell constantly in awareness. You are
a perfect master of your six senses. You never show any sign of the five obstacles of greed and desire, anger and hatred, forgetfulness,
agitation, doubt, or suspicion. While there may be masters in the past, present, and future who attain to the same wisdom and awakening, I
do not think anyone could surpass your understanding.”
In Nalanda, the Buddha taught the bhikkhus more concerning Precepts, Concentration, and Understanding. He then returned to
Pataligama where he was welcomed by crowds of bhikkhus and lay disciples. He was offered food and water, after which he delivered a
Dharma talk.
The next morning, Venerable Sariputta received news that his mother was very ill. She was more than one hundred years old. He
requested permission to go visit her. The Buddha saw Venerable Sariputta off. Sariputta bowed to him three times and then departed for
Nala with the novice Cunda.
As the Buddha and bhikkhus passed through the city gates of Pataligama, they were met by two officials from Magadha, Sunidha and
Vassakara. They had been assigned by King Ajatasattu to transform Pataligama into a major city. They told the Buddha, “We plan to
rename the city gate you have just passed through ‘Gautama Gate.’ Allow us to accompany you to the ferry landing. We will name it
‘Gautama Ferry Landing.’”