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

“Children, eating the tangerine in mindfulness means that while eating the tangerine you are truly in touch with it. Your mind is not chasing
after thoughts of yesterday or tomorrow, but is dwelling fully in the present moment. The tangerine is truly present. Living in mindful
awareness means to live in the present moment, your mind and body dwelling in the very here and now.
“A person who practices mindfulness can see things in the tangerine that others are unable to see. An aware person can see the tangerine
tree, the tangerine blossom in the spring, the sunlight and rain which nourished the tangerine. Looking deeply, one can see ten thousand
things which have made the tangerine possible. Looking at a tangerine, a person who practices awareness can see all the wonders of the
universe and how all things interact with one another. Children, our daily life is just like a tangerine. Just as a tangerine is comprised of
sections, each day is comprised of twenty-four hours. One hour is like one section of tangerine. Living all twenty-four hours of a day is like
eating all the sections of a tangerine. The path I have found is the path of living each hour of the day in awareness, mind and body always
dwelling in the present moment. The opposite is to live in forgetfulness. If we live in forgetfulness, we do not know that we are alive. We do
not fully experience life because our mind and body are not dwelling in the here and now.”
Gautama looked at Sujata and said her name.
“Yes, Teacher?” Sujata joined her palms.
“Do you a think a person who lives in awareness will make many errors or few?”
“Respected Teacher, a person who lives in awareness will make few errors. My mother always tells me that a girl should pay attention to
how she walks, stands, speaks, laughs, and works, in order to avoid thoughts, words, and actions that might cause sorrow to herself or
others.”
“Just so, Sujata. A person who lives in awareness knows what she is thinking, saying, and doing. Such a person can avoid thoughts,
words, and actions that cause suffering for herself and others.
“Children, living in awareness means to live in the present moment. One is aware of what is taking place within one’s self and in one’s
surroundings. One is in direct contact with life. If one continues to live in such a way, one will be able to deeply understand one’s self and
one’s surroundings. Understanding leads to tolerance and love. When all beings understand one another, they will accept and love one
another. Then there will not be much suffering in the world. What do you think, Svasti? Can people love if they are unable to understand?”
“Respected Teacher, without understanding love is most difficult. It reminds me of something that happened to my sister Bhima. One
night she cried all night long until my sister Bala lost her patience and spanked Bhima. That only made Bhima cry more. I picked Bhima up
and sensed that she was feverish. I was sure her head ached from the fever. I called Bala and told her to place her hand on Bhima’s
forehead. When she did that she understood at once why Bhima was crying. Her eyes softened and she took Bhima into her arms and sang
to her with love. Bhima stopped crying even though she still had a fever. Respected Teacher, I think that was because Bala understood why
Bhima was upset. And so I think that without understanding, love is not possible.”
“Just so, Svasti! Love is possible only when there is understanding. And only with love can there be acceptance. Practice living in
awareness, children, and you will deepen your understanding. You will be able to understand yourselves, other people, and all things. And
you will have hearts of love. That is the wonderful path I have discovered.”
Svasti joined his palms. “Respected Teacher, could we call this path the ‘Path of Awareness’?”
Siddhartha smiled, “Surely. We can call it the Path of Awareness. I like that very much. The Path of Awareness leads to perfect
Awakening.”
Sujata joined her palms to ask permission to speak. “You are the awakened one, the one who shows how to live in awareness. Can we
call you the ‘Awakened One’?”
Siddhartha nodded. “That would please me very much.”
Sujata’s eyes shone. She continued, “‘Awaken’ in Magadhi is pronounced ‘budh.’ A person who is awakened would be called
‘Buddha’ in Magadhi. We can call you ‘Buddha.’”
Siddhartha nodded. All the children were delighted. Fourteen-year-old Nalaka, the oldest boy in the group, spoke, “Respected Buddha,
we are very happy to receive your teaching on the Path of Awareness. Sujata has told me how you have meditated beneath this pippala
tree for the past six months and how just last night you attained the Great Awakening. Respected Buddha, this pippala tree is the most
beautiful one in all the forest. Can we call it the ‘Tree of Awakening,’ the ‘Bodhi Tree’? The word ‘bodhi’ shares the same root as the
word ‘buddha’ and also means awakening.”
Gautama nodded his head. He was delighted, too. He had not guessed that during this gathering with the children the path, himself, and
even the great tree would all receive special names. Nandabala joined his palms. “It is growing dark and we must return to our homes, but
we will come back to receive more of your teaching soon.” The children all stood and joined their palms like lotus buds to thank the
Buddha. They strolled home chattering like a flock of happy birds. The Buddha was happy, too. He decided to stay in the forest for a
longer period of time in order to explore ways to best sow the seeds of Awakening and to allow himself, as well, special time to enjoy the