Rough Passage to the Bodhi Tree by Shiv K Kumar

Author:Shiv K Kumar
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9788184004793
Publisher: Random House Publishers India Pvt. Ltd.

14

Utterly frustrated by the happenings in Sarnath, one morning the Buddha announced to Ananda that he would like to seek release, howsoever briefly, by undertaking a journey back to Kapilavastu. His first stop was Uruvala, where he’d spent some time under the tutelage of Kalama. Here he was given a very warm welcome by everyone at Shanti Nivas. Particularly excited was Kalama himself because his former pupil had now become the Buddha, the enlightened spiritual leader.

But when Kalama gestured to bow to him, the Buddha said, ‘No, please, don’t embarrass me as I’d still like to be considered your pupil. Don’t forget that it was from you that I learnt to look within myself for the answer to the mystery of human existence and, above all, transparency and integrity.’

Touched by his words, Kalama said, ‘It’s your modesty and humility … but now our roles are reversed. Hereafter, I’d look upon you as my guru.’

‘Please don’t say that ever,’ said the Buddha.

When Kalama offered to reserve a special room for him at the ashram, the Buddha shook his head.

‘No, Master, I’d prefer to stay with your other disciples, and follow the ashram’s routine.’

Eagerly, Kalama looked forward to hearing how his former pupil attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Next morning, when Kalama took him out for his morning walk, the Buddha told him how he saw the Divine Light and how Mara tried to waylay him.

‘But what I learnt that night,’ said the Buddha, ‘may sound strikingly simple—that the way to salvation was just righteous action, that what obfuscates the common man is the theological casuistry of the priests.’

Kalama listened to him in rapt attention.

By now they’d climbed up to the hilltop where they used to engage themselves in long conversations.

‘I have often wondered,’ Kalama said, ‘how the world came into existence. Did it surface from some vast ocean whose waters were calm and transparent? And weren’t our first ancestors simple and tranquil creatures?’

‘Even though you are fantasizing,’ interjected the Buddha, ‘I can see what you are trying to say—that our pristine way of life has now got vitiated by lust, greed and jealousy.’

‘Then, isn’t it our duty to somehow recapture that lost innocence?’

Nodding his head, the Buddha said, ‘That’s possible, but only through right thought and right action … that’s what the Divine Spirit taught me.’

It was now time to climb down the hillock, and stop briefly by the pond. But the Buddha was surprised to see only one swan running up to him.

‘What happened to its partner?’ the Buddha asked.

‘Died a few months ago.’

‘How sad,’ sighed the Buddha. ‘This swan must be feeling very lonesome now.’

‘No,’ said Kalama. ‘These birds don’t grieve like humans. They face death stoically.’

‘Indeed,’ said the Buddha. Then he asked, ‘Where is your guru, the tortoise?’

But when they turned to the rear, they found that it had gone under its shell.

‘Gone deep into meditation,’ said Kalama. ‘Or maybe, it’s observing mona vrata, complete silence, today.’

On their way back to the ashram, Kalama asked the Buddha if he’d consider giving a sermon that evening.

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