OH, HOW PEACEFUL IT IS!
Thus, have I heard:
“At one time, the Blessed One was staying at Anupiya in a mango grove. At that time, Venerable Bhaddiya, son of Kāligodha, went into the forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty hut, and often uttered this inspired exclamation: “Oh, peaceful indeed! Oh, peaceful indeed!”
A large number of monks heard Venerable Bhaddiya, son of Kāligodha, going into the forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty hut, and frequently saying with inspiration: “Oh, peaceful indeed! Oh, peace indeed!”
Hearing this, those monks thought:
“No doubt, Bhante! Venerable Bhaddiya, son of Kāligodha, does not happily live the holy life. When he was a royal family member, he enjoyed the royal pleasures and comforts. Perhaps he now recollects that happiness and says: “Oh, blissful indeed! Oh, blissful indeed!”
Then a great number of monks went to the Blessed One. After respectfully bowing to the Lord, they sat down to one side and said:
--O World-Honored One! Venerable Bhaddiya, son of Kāligodha, when going into the forest…, often inspiringly exclaims: “Oh, blissful indeed! Oh, blissful indeed!”… No doubt! His monastic life is not happy…. “Oh, blissful indeed! Oh, blissful indeed!”
The Blessed One then said to a monk: “Go, monk, and in my name tell Bhaddiya, son of Kāligodha: “The Great Lord calls you, Venerable.”
The monk replied: “Yes, Lord.” He went to Venerable Bhaddiya and said: “Venerable, the Great Lord calls you.”
Bhaddiya replied: “Yes, Bhante.”
Then Venerable Bhaddiya, son of Kāligodha, went to the Blessed One. After respectfully bowing, he sat to one side. The Blessed One asked him, son of Kāligodha, sitting at one side:
“Is it true, Bhaddiya, that you go into the forest ….and say: “Oh, blissful indeed! Oh, blissful indeed!”?”
Bhaddiya replied: “O World-Honored One! Yes.”
“For what reason, Bhaddiya, do you say so?”
Bhaddiya said:
“Yes, the Blessed One! When I was still living in the royal palace, enjoying the royal pleasures, guards were posted inside and outside the palace; guards within and outside the city; guards within and beyond the country. I was so well-protected. But I still lived in fear—anxious, trembling, and terrified. But now, having gone into the forest, to the bottom of a tree, or to an empty hut, I dwell alone—fearless, unshaken, unafraid, calm and at peace. My mind is smoothened like that of a wild deer, free and serene. Feeling this blessed state, I’m inspired and utter: ‘Oh! How peaceful I am!’”
The Blessed One, understood what Venerable Bhaddiya said, then, spoke this inspired verse:
10. For one whose inner heart-mind
Harbors no anger at all,
Transcends being and non-being,
He is free from all fear;
Peaceful, without sorrow,
Invisible even to the devas.
(From the Mucalinda Chapter, Udāna – The Buddha’s Inspired Sayings)
After reading that discourse, what reflection do we have? Wherever coming, why did Venerable Bhaddiya keep saying, “Oh, peaceful indeed”?
The other monks looked around, seeing only a quiet forest, a tree bottom, or an empty hut, and could not understand. They assumed Bhaddiya was recalling his luxurious royal life. This shows the worldly habit of common people projecting on their own subjective thinking.
There comes the same environment, a lonely forest, a tree bottom, or an empty hut. But the two very different minds perceive it quite differently. One sees desolation and barrenness, somewhere to stay away. The other sees peace, safety, freedom, and comfort, a perfect seclusion for mind cultivation. This latter vision is also that of the Buddha. In many discourses, the Buddha often reminds his monks, “Here are the roots of trees, here are empty huts, here’s a lonely forest. Bhante, strive with diligence and great efforts in order not later regret...”
In worldly life, people chase after fame, wealth, and power, thinking these are measures of success and happiness. Few recognize thornlike challenges and danger along that path. Once attained, these things must still be protected, for others covet and compete to take them. Fame and wealth themselves stir up greed, jealousy, and anger. Conflict is the natural law of mundane desires. Venerable Bhaddiya spoke honestly of his own experience when living in the royal palace: though surrounded by guards, he kept living in constant fear and anxiety of danger. How come? Just because he never knew when he might be harmed and attacked.
After renouncing that luxurious life, he led an ascetic and monastic life in a cloister. No one envied him, no one sought to harm him. Unnoticed by the world, he was at inner peace, unfettered, safe and joyful amid the quiet harmony of nature without any external defense.
Oh, guys! It appears that the ocean of suffering is none other than what humans themselves create.
Bhikkhuni Thích Nữ Triệt Như
Sunyata Monastery, Sept 13, 2021
English version by Ngọc Huyền
Link to Vietnamese article: https://tanhkhong.org/a2761/triet-nhu-snhp028-an-lac-thay
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