Path of Compassion by Thich Nhat Hanh

Author:Thich Nhat Hanh
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781937006143
Publisher: Parallax Press

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Cover the Land in Gold

Three days after the rainy season ended, a young man named Sudatta paid a visit to the Buddha to ask if he would come teach the Way of Awakening in Kosala. Sudatta was an extremely wealthy merchant. He lived in the capital city, Savatthi, in the kingdom of Kosala which was ruled by King Pasenadi. Sudatta was known to the people in his country as a philanthropist who always set aside a generous portion of his income to share with orphans and the destitute. His charitable efforts gave him much satisfaction and happiness. His people called him “Anathapindika,” which means “the one who cares for the poor and abandoned.”

Sudatta traveled frequently to Magadha to buy and sell goods. When in Rajagaha, he stayed with his wife’s elder brother, who was also a merchant. He was staying with his brother-in-law at the end of the rainy season when one day his brother-in-law said, “Tomorrow I have invited the Buddha and his bhikkhus for a meal.” Sudatta asked, with some surprise, “Doesn’t ‘Buddha’ mean ‘one who is awake?’”

“That is right. The Buddha is an awakened person, an enlightened master. Tomorrow you will have a chance to meet him.”

He couldn’t explain why, but just hearing the name Buddha filled Sudatta with happiness and inspiration. He asked to hear more about this enlightened teacher. The brother-in-law explained how after watching the serene bhikkhus beg in the city, he had gone to hear the Buddha at Bamboo Forest Monastery. He had become one of the Buddha’s lay disciples and had even built a number of thatched huts at the monastery as an offering, in order to protect the bhikkhus from the sun and rain.

Perhaps, Sudatta marveled, it was from a past-life connection, but he felt great love and respect for the Buddha within his heart. He couldn’t wait until the following day to meet the Buddha. He spent a restless night, anxiously waiting for daybreak so that he could pay a morning visit to Bamboo Forest Monastery. Unable to sleep any more, he got up even though the sky was still dark. The air was cold and misty. He made his way to Bamboo Forest. By the time he arrived, the first rays of morning sunlight were shining on the bamboo leaves. Though he wanted nothing more than to meet the Buddha, he felt somewhat nervous. To calm himself, he whispered, “Sudatta, do not worry.”

At that very moment, the Buddha, who was doing walking meditation, passed Sudatta. He stopped and said softly, “Sudatta.”

Sudatta joined his palms and bowed before the Buddha. They walked to the Buddha’s hut, and Sudatta asked the Buddha if he had slept well. The Buddha replied he had. Sudatta told the Buddha how restless a night he had spent, so anxious was he to come and meet the Buddha. He asked the Buddha to teach him the Way. The Buddha spoke to Sudatta about understanding and love.

Sudatta was filled with great happiness. He prostrated before the Buddha and asked to become a lay disciple.

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