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

Enlightenment, and yet we drown in the ocean of birth and death for so many thousands of lifetimes!”
Siddhartha knew he had found the Great Way. He had attained his goal, and now his heart experienced perfect peace and ease. He
thought about his years of searching, filled with disappointments and hardships. He thought of his father, mother, aunt, Yasodhara, Rahula,
and all his friends. He thought of the palace, Kapilavatthu, his people and country, and of all those who lived in hardship and poverty,
especially children. He promised to find a way to share his discovery to help all others liberate themselves from suffering. Out of his deep
insight emerged a profound love for all beings.
Along the grassy riverbank, colorful flowers blossomed in the early morning sunlight. Sun danced on leaves and sparkled on the water.
His pain was gone. All the wonders of life revealed themselves. Everything appeared strangely new. How wondrous were the blue skies
and drifting white clouds! He felt as though he and all the universe had been newly created.
Just then, Svasti appeared. When Siddhartha saw the young buffalo boy come running towards him, he smiled. Suddenly Svasti stopped
in his tracks and stared at Siddhartha, his mouth wide open. Siddhartha called, “Svasti!”
The boy came to his senses and answered, “Teacher!”
Svasti joined his palms and bowed. He took a few steps forward but then stopped and gazed again at Siddhartha in awe. Embarrassed
by his own behavior, he spoke haltingly, “Teacher, you look so different today.”
Siddhartha motioned for the boy to approach. He took him into his arms and asked, “How do I look different today?”
Svasti joined his palms and said, haltingly, “Teacher, you look so different today.”
Gazing up at Siddhartha, Svasti answered, “It’s hard to say. It’s just you look so different. It’s like, like you were a star.”
Siddhartha patted the boy on the head and said, “Is that so? What else do I look like?”
“You look like a lotus that’s just blossomed. And like, like the moon over the Gayasisa Peak.”
Siddhartha looked into Svasti’s eyes and said, “Why, you’re a poet, Svasti! Now tell me, why are you here so early today? And where
are your buffaloes?”