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

Chapter Twenty-One
The Lotus Pond
After the children returned home, the Buddha did walking meditation. He lifted his robe to wade across the river, and then followed a path
between two rice fields that led to a lotus pond he liked very much. There he sat down and contemplated the beautiful lotuses.
As he looked at the lotus stems, leaves, and flowers, he thought of all the different stages of a lotus’ growth. The roots remained buried
in mud. Some stems had not risen above the surface of the water while others had barely emerged to reveal leaves still curled tightly shut.
There were unopened lotus flower buds, those with petals just beginning to peek out, and lotus flowers in full bloom. There were seed pods
from which all the petals had fallen. There were white lotus flowers, blue ones, and pink ones. The Buddha reflected that people were not
very different from lotus flowers. Each person had his or her own natural disposition. Devadatta was not like Ananda, Yasodhara was not
the same as Queen Pamita; Sujata was not like Bala. Personality, virtue, intelligence, and talent varied widely among people. The Path of
Liberation which the Buddha had discovered needed to be expounded in many ways to suit many kinds of people. Teaching the village
children was so pleasant, he thought, because he could speak to them in such a simple way.
Different teaching methods were like gates by which different kinds of people could enter and understand the teaching. The creation of
“Dharma gates” would result from direct encounters with people. There were no ready-made methods miraculously received under the
bodhi tree. The Buddha saw that it would be necessary to return to society in order to set the wheel of Dharma in motion and to sow the
seeds of liberation. Forty-nine days had passed since his Awakening. It was now time to depart from Uruvela. He decided to leave the
following morning, parting from the cool forest by the banks of the Neranjara River, the bodhi tree, and the children. He wanted first to
seek out his two teachers, Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta. He was confident that they would attain Awakening in no time at all.
After assisting these two venerable men, he would find the five friends who had practiced austerities with him. Then he would return to
Magadha to see King Bimbisara.
The next morning, the Buddha put on his new robe and walked into Uruvela while the morning air was still misty. He went to Svasti’s hut
and told the young buffalo boy and his family that the time had come for him to depart. The Buddha patted each of the children gently on
the head, and together they walked to Sujata’s house. Sujata cried when she learned the news.
The Buddha said, “I must leave in order to fulfil my responsibilities. But I promise that I will return to visit you whenever I have a chance.
You children have helped me greatly, and I am grateful. Please remember and practice the things I have shared with you. That way I will
never be far from you. Sujata, dry your tears now and give me a smile.”
Sujata wiped her tears with the edge of her sari and tried to smile. Then the children walked with the Buddha to the edge of the village.
The Buddha was turning to say farewell, when he noticed a young ascetic walking towards them. The ascetic joined his palms in greeting
and looked curiously at the Buddha. After a long moment, he said, “Monk, you look most radiant and peaceful. What is your name and
who is your Master?”
The Buddha answered, “My name is Siddhartha Gautama. I have studied with many teachers, but no one is my teacher now. What is
your name, and where are you coming from?”
The ascetic answered, “My name is Upaka. I have just left the center of Master Uddaka Ramaputta.”
“Is Master Uddaka in good health?”
“Master Uddaka died just a few days ago.”
The Buddha sighed. He would not have a chance to help his old teacher after all. He asked, “Have you ever studied with Master Alara
Kalama?”
Upaka answered, “Yes. But he, too, has recently died.”
“Do you by any chance know of a monk named Kondanna?”
Upaka said, “Yes, indeed. I heard about Kondanna and four other monks when I was living at Master Uddaka’s center. I heard they
are living and practicing together at the Deer Park in Isipatana, near the city of Varanasi. Gautama, if you will excuse me, I will continue on
my way. I have a long day’s journey ahead.”
The Buddha joined his palms to bid Upaka farewell, and then he turned to the children. “Children, I will follow the road to Varanasi to
find my five friends. The sun has risen. Please return home now.”
The Buddha joined his palms in farewell. Then he followed the river northwards. He knew it would be a longer route but easier to travel.