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

Chapter Twenty-Nine
Dependent Co-Arising
Throughout the following weeks, many seekers came to the Buddha and asked to be ordained as bhikkhus. Many of them were highly
educated young men from wealthy families. The Buddha’s senior students performed the ordination ceremonies and gave the new bhikkhus
basic instruction in the practice. Other young people, women as well as men, came to Palm Forest and took the three refuges.
One day Kondanna gave the three refuges to a gathering of nearly three hundred young people. After the ceremony, he spoke to them
about the three precious gems—the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
“The Buddha is the Awakened One. An awakened person sees the nature of life and the cosmos. Because of that, an awakened person
is not bound by illusion, fear, anger, or desire. An awakened person is a free person, filled with peace and joy, love and understanding.
Master Gautama, our Teacher, is a completely awakened person. He shows us the way in this life so that we may overcome forgetfulness
and become awakened ourselves. Every one of us contains Buddha-nature. We can all become a Buddha. Buddha-nature is the capacity
to awaken and transcend all ignorance. If we practice the way of awareness, our Buddha-nature will shine more brightly every day until one
day, we, too, shall attain total freedom, peace, and joy. We must each find the Buddha within our own heart. The Buddha is the first
precious gem.
“The Dharma is the path which leads to Awakening. It is the path which the Buddha teaches, the path which helps us to transcend the
prisons of ignorance, anger, fear, and desire. This path leads to freedom, peace, and joy. It enables us to love and understand all others.
Understanding and love are the two most beautiful fruits of the Path of Awakening. The Dharma is the second precious gem.
“The Sangha is the community of persons practicing the Way of Awakening, those who travel this path together. If you want to practice
the way of liberation, it is important to have a community to practice with. If you are all alone, difficulties along the path may hinder your
realization of awakening. It is important to take refuge in the Sangha, whether you are an ordained bhikkhu or a lay person. The Sangha is
the third precious gem.
“Young people, today you have taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. With the support of these refuges, you will not
wander aimlessly but will be able to make real progress on the Path of Enlightenment. It has been two years since I took refuge in the three
gems myself. Today you have vowed to travel the same path. Let us rejoice together that we have taken refuge in the three precious gems.
Of course, these gems have been present in our own hearts from beginningless time. Together we will practice the way of liberation to allow
these three gems to shine from within us.”
The young people were greatly encouraged by Kondanna’s words. They all felt a new source of vitality surge within their hearts.
During those same days, the Buddha received two exceptional new disciples, Sariputta and Moggallana, into his sangha of bhikkhus.
They were both disciples of the famous ascetic Sanjaya, who lived in Rajagaha. Sanjaya’s devotees were called parivrajakas. Sariputta
and Moggallana were close friends, respected for their intelligence and open-mindedness. They had promised each other that whoever
attained the Great Way first would immediately inform the other.
One day Sariputta saw the bhikkhu Assaji begging in Rajagaha, and he was immediately drawn by Assaji’s relaxed and serene bearing.
Sariputta thought to himself, “This appears to be someone who has attained the Way. I knew such persons could be found! I will ask him
who his Teacher is and what his teaching is.”
Sariputta quickened his pace to catch up with Assaji but then stopped himself, not wanting to disturb the bhikkhu while he was silently
begging from house to house. Sariputta resolved to wait until Assaji was finished begging before approaching him. Without making himself
noticed, Sariputta followed Assaji. When Assaji’s bowl was filled with offerings and he turned to leave the city, Sariputta joined his palms
in respectful greeting and said, “Monk, you radiate such peace and calm. Your virtue and understanding shine in the way you walk, in the
expression on your face, and in your every gesture. Please allow me to ask who your Teacher is and at what practice center you reside.
What methods does your teacher teach?”
Assaji looked at Sariputta for a moment and then smiled in a most friendly manner. He answered, “I study and practice under the
guidance of the Master Gautama of the Sakya clan who is known as the Buddha. He is presently dwelling near Supatthita Temple in Palm
Forest.”
Sariputta’s eyes brightened. “What is his teaching? Can you share it with me?”
“The Buddha’s teaching is deep and lovely. I have not grasped it fully yet. You should come and receive the teachings directly from the
Buddha.”