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

Chapter Fourteen
Crossing the Ganga
Siddhartha crossed the Ganges River, known as Ganga, and entered deep into the kingdom of Magadha, a region renowned for its
accomplished spiritual teachers. He was determined to find someone who could teach him how to overcome birth and death. Most of the
spiritual teachers lived in remote mountains or forests. Tirelessly, Siddhartha inquired the whereabouts of these masters, and sought out
each of them, no matter how many mountains and valleys he had to cross. He continued his search through rain and sun, from one month to
the next.
Siddhartha met ascetics who refused to wear any clothes, and others who refused to accept any food offerings, living on only the fruits,
greens, and roots that grew wild in the forests. Exposing their bodies to the elements, these ascetics believed that by enduring extreme
austerities they would enter heaven after they died.
One day Siddhartha said to them, “Even if you are reborn in Heaven, the suffering on Earth will remain unchanged. To seek the Way is
to find a solution to life’s sufferings, not to escape life. Granted, we cannot accomplish much if we pamper our bodies like those who live
for sensual pleasure, but abusing our bodies is no more helpful.”
Siddhartha continued his search—remaining in some spiritual centers for three months and in others for six. His powers of meditation and
concentration increased, but he was still unable to find the true path of liberation from birth and death. The months passed quickly, and
soon it was more than three years since Siddhartha had left home. Sometimes, as he sat in meditation in the forests, images arose in
Siddhartha’s mind of his father, Yasodhara, and Rahula, and of his childhood and youth. Although it was difficult for him to avoid feeling
impatient and discouraged, his strong faith that he would find the Way allowed him to continue his search.
During one period, Siddhartha dwelled alone on the hillside of Pandava, not far from the capital city of Rajagaha. One day he took his
bowl and went down the hillside to beg in the capital. His walk was slow and dignified, his countenance serene and resolute. People on
both sides of the street stopped to gaze at this monk who walked as elegantly as a lion passing through a mountain forest. The royal
carriage of King Bimbisara of Magadha happened to pass by, and the king ordered his driver to stop so that he could have a good look at
Siddhartha. He asked his attendant to offer the monk food and to follow him to see where he lived.
The next afternoon, King Bimbisara rode to Siddhartha’s dwelling. Leaving his carriage at the foot of the hill, he mounted the path with
one of his attendants. When he saw Siddhartha sitting beneath a tree, he approached to greet him.
Siddhartha stood up. He could tell by his visitor’s dress that he was the king of Magadha. Siddhartha joined his palms together and then
motioned for the king to sit on a large rock nearby. Siddhartha sat on another rock and faced the king.
King Bimbisara was noticeably impressed by the monk’s noble bearing and elevated manner. He said, “I am the king of Magadha. I
wish to invite you to come to the capital with me. I would like you by my side so that I may benefit from your teaching and virtue. With you
at my side, I am sure the kingdom of Magadha would enjoy peace and prosperity.”
King Bimbisara was noticeably impressed by the monk’s noble bearing and elevated manner.