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

Chapter Twenty-Eight
Palm Forest
The morning had arrived for the Buddha to depart from Gayasisa and make his way to Rajagaha. Uruvela Kassapa asked the Buddha to
allow the entire sangha to accompany him. The Buddha was reluctant, but Kassapa explained how easily nine hundred bhikkhus could
travel together. There would be many forests around Rajagaha where the bhikkhus could dwell. They could beg in the many villages there,
as well as in the capital city itself, making contact with many local people. Moreover, added Kassapa, the number of bhikkhus was now
too large for the population of Gaya to support. Everything would be easier in Rajagaha. Seeing how knowledgeable Uruvela Kassapa was
about the situation in Magadha, the Buddha agreed to let the nine hundred bhikkhus join him.
The Kassapa brothers divided the sangha into thirty-six groups of twenty-five bhikkhus. Each group was led by a senior student. This
arrangement allowed the bhikkhus to make ever greater progress on the path.
Ten days were needed for them all to reach Rajagaha. Each morning, they begged in small villages and ate silently in the forests or fields.
When they finished eating, they began to walk again, traveling in their own small groups. The sight of the bhikkhus walking quietly and
slowly made a deep impression on all who saw them.
When they neared Rajagaha, Uruvela Kassapa led them to Palm Forest, where the Supatthita temple was located. Palm Forest was only
two miles south of the capital. The next morning the bhikkhus took their bowls and went begging in the city. They walked single file in their
small groups, taking calm, slow steps. They held their bowls serenely while their eyes looked straight ahead. Following the Buddha’s
instructions, they stood before each house without discriminating whether it belonged to rich or poor. If no one appeared after a few
moments, they moved on to the next house. While silently waiting for food offerings to be made, they mindfully observed their breath. When
they received a food offering, they bowed in thanks. They never made any comments about whether the food looked good or bad.
Sometimes the layperson making the offering asked the bhikkhu a few questions about the Dharma, and the bhikkhu answered thoughtfully
to the best of his ability. The bhikkhu explained that he belonged to the sangha of Gautama the Buddha. He would speak about the Four
Noble Truths, the five precepts for the laity, and the Noble Eightfold Path.
The bhikkhus always returned to Palm Forest by noon to share their meal in silence before listening to a discourse on the Dharma given
by the Buddha. Afternoons and evenings were reserved for meditation practice. Thus after the noon hour, no one in the city saw the
saffron-robed bhikkhus.
By the end of two weeks, most of the city was aware of the presence of the Buddha’s sangha. On cool afternoons, many laypersons
came to Palm Forest to meet the Buddha and to learn about the Way of Awakening. Before the Buddha had had a chance to visit his
friend, the young King Seniya Bimbisara had already learned of the Buddha’s presence. Sure that this new teacher was the same young
monk he had met on the mountain, he mounted his carriage and ordered it driven to Palm Forest. Many other carriages followed his for he
had invited over a hundred highly regarded brahmana teachers and intellectuals to join him. When they reached the edge of the forest, the
king stepped out of his carriage, accompanied by the queen and their son, Prince Ajatasattu.
When the Buddha was informed of the king’s arrival, he and Uruvela Kassapa personally went out to greet him and all his guests. All the
bhikkhus were seated in great circles on the earth waiting to hear the Buddha’s Dharma talk. The Buddha invited the king, queen, prince,
and other guests to be seated, too. King Bimbisara introduced as many of the guests as he could remember names, but sometimes had to
ask a brahman to introduce himself. Among the guests were many scholars well-versed in the Vedas and belonging to many different
schools of religious thought.
Most of these men had heard the name of Uruvela Kassapa. A number of them had even met him before. But no one had ever heard of
the Buddha. They were surprised to see how reverently Kassapa treated the Buddha, even though Gautama Sakya was so much younger
than Kassapa. They whispered to one another, trying to figure out whether Gautama was Kassapa’s disciple or Kassapa was Gautama’s
disciple. Aware of their confusion, Uruvela Kassapa stood up and approached the Buddha. He joined his palms and spoke clearly and with
respect, “Gautama, the Enlightened One, Most Precious Teacher in this life—I am Uruvela Kassapa, your disciple. Allow me to offer you
my most profound respect.” Then he prostrated himself before the Buddha three times. The Buddha helped Kassapa stand up again and
asked him to sit by his side. There were no more whispers among the brahmans. Indeed, their respect increased as they looked out over
the nine hundred saffron-robed bhikkhus sitting with awe-inspiring solemnity.
The Buddha spoke about the Way of Awakening. He spoke about the impermanent and interdependent nature of all things in life. He
said that the Path of Awakening could help one overcome false views and transcend suffering. He spoke about how observing the precepts
could help one attain concentration and understanding. His voice resounded like a great bell. It was as warm as spring sunshine, as gentle as
a light rain, and as majestic as the rising tide. More than one thousand people listened. No one dared to breathe too loudly or rustle their