"Ananda, look! It is not yet spring, but the sal trees are covered with red blossoms. Do you see the petals falling on the Tathagata's robes and the robes of all the bhikkhus (monks)? This forest is truly beautiful. Do you see the western horizon all aglow from the setting sun? Do you hear the gentle breeze rustling in the sal branches? The Tathagata finds all these things lovely and touching."
This simple and powerful reminder of mindfulness is one of many that weave like a strong thread through this lovingly written book about the life of the Buddha. Not a scholar of Buddhism, I cannot assess the accuracy or judge the point of view of Thich Nhat Hanh's work; but as a beginning student of Buddhism, I found the book a meaningful foundation and comfort in the confusion of learning and understanding a new way of seeing life. I was touched throughout the book by the Buddha's consistent appreciation for simple beauty and abundance. He did not forget; his story helps me remember not to forget. Indeed, the book is a reminder to "be diligent" in not forgetting. Always, the Buddha comes back to the simple and powerful answers to confusion and doubt. We see that yet again in another scene from the same chapter:
The Buddha asked Ananda to go into Kusinara and announce to the Mallas that the Buddha would pass into nirvana in the grove of sal trees at the night's last watch. When the Malla people heard this news, they hastily made their way to the forest. An ascetic named Subhadda was among them. While the people took turns bowing to the Buddha, Subhadda asked Venerable Ananda if he could have an audience with the Buddha. Ananda refused, saying the Buddha was too tired to receive anyone. But the Buddha overheard their conversation and said, "Ananda, let ascetic Subhadda speak with me." Ascetic Subhadda knelt before the Buddha. He bowed and said, "Lord, I have heard about spiritual leaders such as Purana Kassapa, Makhali Gosala, Ajita Kesakambali,... I would like to ask if, according to you, any of them attained true enlightenment."
The Buddha answered, "Subhadda, whether or not they attained enlightenment is not a necessary thing to discuss now. Subhadda, the Tathagata will show you the path by which you yourself can attain enlightenment."
I found heart again and again in the basic exhortation to practice and find one's own way. Soon after Siddhartha found the Way, he met an ascetic named Kassapa who later became a disciple. In Chapter 27, called "All Dharmas Are on Fire", there is this exchange between the Buddha and Kassapa. They have been discussing spiritual matters and the Buddha has told Kassapa of the direct meditation on one's body, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness.
Uruvela Kassapa sat silently for a moment and then said, "Gautama, I know you speak only from your own direct experience. Your words do not simply express concepts. You have said that liberation can only be attained through the efforts of meditation, by looking deeply at things. Do you think that all ceremonies, rituals, and prayers are useless?"
The Buddha pointed to the other side of the river and said, "Kassapa, if a person wants to cross to the other shore, what should he do?"
"If the water is shallow enough, he can wade across. Otherwise he will have to swim or row a boat across."
"I agree. But what is he is unwilling to wade, swim, or row a boat? What if he just stands on this side of the river and prays to the other shore to come to him? What would you think of such a man?"
"I would say he was being quite foolish!"
"Just so, Kassapa! If one doesn't overcome ignorance and mental obstructions, one cannot cross to the other side to liberation, even if one spends one's whole life praying."
The Buddha lived the Way. His actions speak like his words. His power is in his ability to live in the moment and to never forget. And the gift that Thich Nhat Hanh has given me in this book is to allow me to learn from the Buddha's actions. Now I have another source of learning in addition to the words of the texts. That source, like the others, helps to keep me mindful, reminds me of where I am. I can more easily "walk in the footsteps of the Buddha" now that I have seen his footprints in the path. This sentiment echoes that expressed in the book, in the final chapter, which shares the same title as the book. In this scene, we are hearing the thoughts of the Buddha's disciple Svasti, the untouchable boy who was with the Buddha in the days when he found the Way. Svasti has been with the Buddha from the Buddha's awakening until his death. He is standing on the bank of the river where he first met the Buddha:
Svasti looked up and saw the white clouds floating across the blue sky. The sun had risen high, and the green grass along the riverbanks sparkled in the morning light. The Buddha had walked on this very path many times as he traveled to Varanasi, Savatthi, Rajagaha, and countless other places. The Buddha's footprints were everywhere, and with each mindful step, Svasti knew he was walking in the footsteps of the Buddha. The Buddha's path was at his feet. The same clouds the Buddha had seen were in the sky. Each serene step brought to life the old path and white clouds of the Buddha. The path of the Buddha was beneath his very feet.
The path of the Buddha is beneath our very feet.
