Shadowing Practice: Old path white clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh. Chapter 1: Walking Just to Walk - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Walking just to walk.
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Under the shadows of the green bamboo, the young bhikkhu, swashed, sat cross-legged, concentrating on his breath.
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He had been meditating for more than an hour in the bamboo forest monastery,
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while hundreds of other bhikkhus were also practicing under the shade of the bamboo trees or in their own thatchthats.
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The great teacher Gotama, whom people affectionately called Buddha, lived in the monastery with nearly 400 disciples.
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Although crowded, it was very peaceful.
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40 acres surrounded the monastery, and many varieties of graceful bamboo from all over Magadha were planted there.
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Just a 30 minutes walk north of the capital city of Rajagaha.
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The bamboo forest monastery had been given to Buddha and his community by King Bimbusara seven years earlier.
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Svast rubbed his eyes and smiled.
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His legs were still tender as he slowly uncrossed them.
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21 years old, he had been ordained three days earlier by the Venerable Saraputta, one of the Buddha's senior disciples.
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During the ordination ceremony, Svast's thick brown hair was shaved off.
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Svast was very happy to be part of the Buddha's community.
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Many bhikas were of noble birth, such as the Venerable Nanda, the Buddha's brother and Devdata, Anuruddha and Ananda.
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Although Svast had not yet been introduced to these men, he had noticed them from afar.
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Even in faded robes, their noble bearing was unmistakable.
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It will be a long time before I can be friends with men of such noble birth, thought Svast.
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And yet, even though the Buddha himself was the son of a king, Svast felt no gulf between them.
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Svast was an untouchable, lower than the lowest
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and poorest caste according to the system of discrimination among the people of India at that time.
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For more than 10 years, he had tended water buffalo, But for two weeks now, he was living and practicing with monks from all castes.
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Everyone was very kind to him, offering him warm smiles and deep bows, but he did not yet feel at ease.
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He suspected it might take years before he could feel completely comfortable.
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Suddenly, a broad smile emerged from deep within him, as he thought of Rahula, the Buddha's 18-year-old son.
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Rahula had been a novice in the community since the age of 10, and in just two weeks Rahula and Svast had become best friends.
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It was Rahula who taught Svast how to follow his breath during meditation.
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Rahula understood the Buddha's teachings well, even though he was not yet a bhikkhu.
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He needed to wait until he was 20 before he could receive full ordination.
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Svast reflected on the time, just two weeks before, when the Buddha came to Yuravala, his small village near Gaya, to invite him to become a monk.
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When the Buddha arrived at his home, Svast was out with his brother, Rupak, taking care of the buffaloes.
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His two sisters, Bala, age 16, and Bhima, age 12, were there, and Bala recognized the Buddha right away.
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She began to run out to find Svast, but the Buddha told her it wasn't necessary.
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He said that he and the monks traveling with him, including Rahula, would walk to the river to find her brother.
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It was late afternoon when they came upon Svast and Rupak scrubbing down their nine buffaloes in the Naranjara River.
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As soon as they saw the Buddha, the young men ran up the bank of the river, joined their palms to form a lotus bud, and bowed deeply.
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You've grown so much, the Buddha said, smiling warmly at Svast and his brother.
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Svast was speechless.
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Seeing the Buddha's peaceful face, his warm and generous smile, and his brilliant, penetrating eyes, moved him to tears.
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The Buddha wore a saffron robe made of patches sewn together in the pattern of a rice field.
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He still walked barefoot as he had 10 years before, when Svast first met him not far from this very spot.
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10 years before they had spent hours sitting together on the banks of the Naranhara
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and beneath the shade of the Bodhi tree, just 10 minutes walk from the riverbank.
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Svast glanced at the 20 beekas behind the Buddha and saw that they, too, were barefoot and clad in patched robes of the same color.
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Looking more closely, Svast saw that the Buddha's robe was a hand length longer than those of the others.
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Standing next to the Buddha was a novice about Svast's age who looked at him directly and smiled.
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Buddha gently placed his hands on Svast and Rupak's heads
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and told them he had stopped by to visit on his way back to Rajagaha.
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He said he would be happy to wait while Svast
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and Rupak finished bathing the buffalo so they could all walk to Svast's thatched hut together.
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During the walk back, Buddha introduced Svast and Rupak to his son Rahula, the young novice who had smiled so beautifully at Svast.
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Rahula was three years younger than Svast, but they were the same height.
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Rahula was a Samanara, a novice, but he dressed much the same as the older bhikis.
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Rahula walked between Svast and Rupak, handing his alms bowl to Rupak and placing his arms lovingly around the shoulders of his two new friends.
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He had heard so much about Svast and his family from his father that he felt he already knew them.
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The brothers basked in the warmth of Rahula's love.
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As soon as they arrived at Svast's home, the Buddha invited him to join the bhikkhu community and study the Dharma with him him.
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Ten years earlier, when Svast had first met the Buddha, he expressed his wish to study with him, and the Buddha had agreed to accept Svast as a disciple.
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Now that Svast was 21, the Buddha had returned.
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He had not forgotten his promise.
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Rupak led the buffaloes back to Mr. Ramphu, their owner.
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The Buddha sat outside Svast's hut, on a small stool, while the beacus stood behind him him.
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With earthen walls and a thatched roof, Svast's tiny home was not large enough for everyone to come inside.
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Bala told Svast, brother, please go with the Buddha.
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Rupak is even stronger than you were when you began tending the buffaloes, and I am quite capable of taking care of the house.
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You have looked after us for 10 years, and now we are ready to be on our own.
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Sitting next to the rainwater barrel, Bhima looked up at her big sister without saying a word.
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Svast looked at Bhima.
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She was a lovely young girl.
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When Svoshed met the Buddha, Bala was 6 years old, Rupak 3, and Bhima only an infant.
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Bala cooked for the family while Rupak played in the sand.
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// Six months following their father's death, their mother passed away in childbirth.
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Just 11 years old, Svacht became the head of the household.
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He found a job tending water buffaloes, and because Svacht was a good worker, he earned enough to feed his family.
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He was even able to bring buffalo milk home for little Bhima.
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Realizing that Svacht was asking her about her feelings, Bhima smiled.
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She hesitated a moment and then spoke softly, brother, go with the Buddha.
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She turned her face away to hide the tears.
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Bhima had heard Svast mention his wish to study with Buddha so many times and she truly wanted him to go, but now that the moment had arrived she could not hide her sadness.
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The Buddha sat outside Svast's hut, on a small stool.
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Just then, Rupak returned from the village, and hearing Bhima's words, go with the Buddha, he understood that the time had come.
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He looked at Svast and said, Yes, brother, please go with the Buddha, and the whole family fell silent.
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Rupak looked at the Buddha and said, Venerable Sir, I hope you will permit my brother to study with you.
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I am old enough to care for our family.
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Rupak turned to Svoshdan, holding back his tears, said, But brother, please ask the Buddha if you can come back and visit us from time to time.
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The Buddha stood up and gently stroked Bhima's hair.
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Children, please eat now.
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Tomorrow morning, I will return for Svash so we can walk together to Rajagaha.
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The bhikkhus and I will rest beneath the Bodhi tree tonight.
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As the Buddha reached the gate, he looked back at Svashd and said, Tomorrow morning, you do not need to bring anything.
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The clothes you are wearing are enough.
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That night the four siblings stayed up late.
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Like a departing father, Svashd gave them his last advice on taking care of each other and the household.
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He embraced each of them for a long time.
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Unable to hold back her tears, little Bhima sobbed while her oldest brother held her.
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But then she looked up, breathed deeply, and smiled at him.
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She didn't want Svash to feel sad.
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The oil lamp cast a dim light, but it was enough for Svash to see her smile, and he appreciated it.
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Early the next morning, Sujata, Svash's friend, came to say goodbye.
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The evening before, she had seen the Buddha
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when she was on her way to the river bank
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and he told her that Svast would be joining the order of monks.
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Sujata, the daughter of the village head, was two years older than Svast, and she, too, had met Gotama before he became the Buddha.
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Sujata gave Svast a small jar of herbal medicines to take with him.
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They spoke only briefly and then the Buddha and his disciples arrived.
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Svast's brother and sisters were already awake to see their brother off.
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Rahula spoke gently to each of them, encouraging them to be strong and to take care of each other.
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He promised that whenever he was nearby, he would stop in Uravaila to visit them.
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Svast's family and Sujata walked with the Buddha and the bhikkhus to the riverbank, and there they joined their palms to say goodbye to the Buddha, the monks, Rahula and Svast.
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Svast was overcome with both fear and joy.
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There was a knot in his stomach.
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This was the first time He said it would take 10 days to reach Rajagaha.
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Most people traveled more quickly, but the Buddha and his bhikkhus walked slowly and with great ease.
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As Svast's pace slowed down, his heart quieted.
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He was wholeheartedly immersing himself in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, and this was his path.
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He turned around for one last glimpse of the only land and people he knew, and he saw Sujata and his family as mere specks merging with the shadows of the forest trees.
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It seemed to Svosh that the Buddha walked just to enjoy the walking, unconcerned about arriving anywhere at all.
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So it was with all the beacus.
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No one seemed anxious or impatient to reach their destination.
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Each man's steps were slow, balanced, and peaceful.
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It was as if they were taking a pleasant stroll together.
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No one ever appeared tired, and yet they covered a good distance each day.
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Each morning they would stop in the nearest village to beg for food.
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They walked along the streets in a single line with the Buddha at the head.
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Svast came last, just behind Ruhula.
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They walked with quiet dignity, observing each breath and each step.
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Once in a while, they would stop while villagers placed offerings of food in their bowls.
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Some villagers knelt by the side of the road in respect.
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As the bhikas received the food, they quietly recited prayers for the people.
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When they finished begging, they slowly left the village to find a place beneath some trees
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or in a grassy meadow where they could eat.
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They sat in a circle and divided the food equally, careful to fill anyone's bowl that was still empty.
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Rahula filled a jug with water from a nearby stream and respectfully carried it to the Buddha.
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After the Buddha joined his palms together to form what looked like a lotus flower, Rahula poured the water over the Buddha's hands and rinsed them clean.
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He did the same for everyone else, coming last to Svast.
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As Svast did not yet have a bowl, Rahula placed half of his own food on a fresh banana leaf and gave it to his new friend.
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Before eating, the bhikkas joined their palms and chanted together.
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Then they ate in silence, mindful of each bite.
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When they finished, some bhikkas practiced walking meditation, some did sitting meditation, and others took a short nap.
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When the hottest part of the day had passed, they took to the road again, and they walked until it was nearly dark.
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The best places to rest for the night were undisturbed forests, and they walked until they found a good place.
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Each bhikkhu had his own cushion, and many sat cross-legged in the lotus position for half the night before spreading out their robes and going to sleep.
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Each bhikkhu carried two robes, the one he was wearing and another to use as protection against wind and cold.
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Svashth sat in meditation like the others and learned to sleep upon the earth using a tree root for a pillow.
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When Svashth awoke the next morning, he saw the Buddha and many of the bhikkhus already sitting peacefully in meditation, radiating profound calm and majesty.
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As soon as the sun rose over the horizon, each bhikkhu folded his extra robe, picked up his bowl, and began the day's journey.
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Walking by day and resting by night, it was ten days before they reached Rajagaha, the capital of Magadha.
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It was the first time Svash had seen a city.
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Horse carts pressed through streets lined with crowded dwellings, shouts and laughter echoed everywhere.
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But the silent procession of the bhikis continued, as peacefully as when they strolled along the quiet riverbanks or between country rice fields.
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A few of the city dwellers paused to watch them and a few, recognizing the Buddha, bowed deeply to show their respect.
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The bhikkhus continued their calm procession until they reached the bamboo forest monastery, just beyond the city.
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News spread quickly throughout the monastery that the Buddha had returned, and within moments, nearly 400 bhikkhus gathered to welcome him back.
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The Buddha did not say much but asked about everyone's well-being and meditation practice.
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He entrusted Svash to Saraputta who was also Rahula's spiritual instructor.
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Sariputta was the novice master of Bamboo Forest Monastery and watched over the studies of nearly 50 young monks,
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all of whom had been in the community for less than three years.
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The abbot of the monastery was a monk named Kandana.
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Rahula was asked to introduce Svash to the ways of monastery life, how to walk, sit, stand,
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greet others, do walking and sitting meditation, and observe his breathing.
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He also showed Svash how to where the monks robe, beg for food, recite prayers, and wash his bowl.
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For three continuous days, Svashd did not leave Rahula's side, so that he could learn these things well.
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Rahula put his whole heart into instructing Svashd, yet Svashd knew it would take years of practicing before he
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would be able to do these things in a relaxed and natural way.
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After this basic instruction, Saraputta invited Svashd into his hut and explained the precepts of a bhikkhu.
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A bhikkhu was one who left his family in order to follow the Buddha as a teacher, the Dharma as the path which leads to awakening,
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and the Sangha as the community that supports one along the path.
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A bhikkhu's life was simple and humble.
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Begging for food helped foster humility
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and was also a means to be in contact with others
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and help them see the way of love and understanding which the Buddha taught.
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Ten years earlier beneath the Bodhi tree, Svast and his friends had listened to the Buddha speak about the path of awakening as the path of love and understanding,
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so it was easy for him to grasp all that Saraputta told him.
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Though Saraputta's face appeared serious, his eyes and smile radiated great warmth and compassion.
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He told Svast that there would be a precept ceremony to formally accept him into the community of bhikkhus, and he taught Svast the words he would need to recite.
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Saraputta himself presided over the precept ceremony.
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About 20 bhikkas attended.
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The Buddha and Rahula were there, adding to Svash's happiness.
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Saraputta silently recited a gata, and then shaved off several locks of Svash's hair.
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He then gave the razor to Rahula, who completed the task of shaving Svash's head.
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Saraputta gave Svash three robes, a bowl, and a water filter.
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Because he had already been taught by Rahula how to wear the robe, Svast put it on without difficulty.
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He bowed before the Buddha and the other bhikkas present to express his deep gratitude.
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Later that morning, Svast practiced begging for the first time as an ordained bhikkhu.
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The monks of Bamboo Forest Monastery walked into Rajagaha in several small groups, and Svast was part of a group led by Saraputta.
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After taking just a few steps out of the monastery, Svast reminded himself that begging was a vehicle to practice the way.
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He observed his breathing and took each step quietly and in mindfulness.
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Rahula walked behind him.
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Although he was now a Bhikkhu, Swash knew that he had considerably less experience than Rahula.
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He resolved with all his heart to nurture humility and virtue within himself.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Thank you.
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Woordenschat en spreektips bij deze les
Deze spreekles op niveau B2 is gebaseerd op de video “Old path white clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh. Chapter 1: Walking Just to Walk”. Deze woorden komen het vaakst terug: Buddha, Svast, Rahula, bhikkhu, Rupak. Deze video bevat 196 zinnen en 2928 woorden om na te spreken. Het gesproken deel duurt 19:50. De spreker praat in een gelijkmatig tempo van ongeveer 148 woorden per minuut, prettig om te shadowen. Slechts 76% van de woorden hoort bij de 3.000 meest gebruikte Engelse woorden, dus de woordenschat is pittig.
Belangrijke woorden in deze video
De 15 moeilijkste woorden uit de video, met uitspraak en betekenis:
| Woord | Uitspraak | Betekenis |
|---|---|---|
| monastery zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˈmɑnəˌstɛɹi/ | klooster |
| robe zelfstandig naamwoord | /ɹoʊb/ | kleed, toga |
| monk zelfstandig naamwoord | /mʌŋk/ | monnik |
| bamboo zelfstandig naamwoord | /bæmˈbu/ | bamboe |
| buffalo zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˈbʌf.ə.loʊ/ | buffel, kafferbuffel |
| meditation zelfstandig naamwoord | /mɛdɪˈteɪʃn̩/ | meditatie, overpeinzing |
| disciple zelfstandig naamwoord | /dɪˈsaɪ.pəl/ | discipel |
| recite werkwoord | /ɹɪˈsaɪt/ | reciteren |
| lotus zelfstandig naamwoord | /ˈloʊtəs/ | lotus |
| shave werkwoord | /ˈʃeɪ̯v/ | scheren, zich scheren |
| observe werkwoord | /əbˈzɜːv/ | respecteren, in acht nemen |
| gently bijwoord | /ˈd͡ʒɛntli/ | zachtjes, voorzichtig |
| awaken werkwoord | /əˈweɪkən/ | wekken, wakker maken |
| barefoot bijvoeglijk naamwoord | /ˈbɛɹfʊt/ | barrevoets, blootsvoets |
| ordain werkwoord | /ɔɹˈdeɪn/ | vaststellen |
Phrasal verbs die je zult horen
| Woord | Uitspraak | Betekenis |
|---|---|---|
| come back werkwoord | terugkomen | |
| look up werkwoord | /ˌlʊk ˈʌp/ | opkijken |
| pick up werkwoord | oppakken, optillen | |
| slow down werkwoord | afremmen | |
| stand up werkwoord | opstaan | |
| stay up werkwoord | opblijven | |
| watch over werkwoord | bewaren, bewaken |
Grammatica in deze video
De structuren die de spreker het meest gebruikt, met de exacte woorden uit de video:
| Structuur | In de video |
|---|---|
| Lijdende vorm be + voltooid deelwoord — het gaat om wat er gebeurt, niet om wie het doet | were planted · had been given · had been ordained |
| Present perfect have/has + voltooid deelwoord — iets uit het verleden dat nu nog telt | You've grown · have looked |
Uitspraak om op te letten
De spreker gebruikt 3 samentrekkingen en verkorte vormen, zoals didn't, wasn't, you've. Spreek ze kort uit, zoals je ze hoort.
- De “th”-klanken: thatch /θæt͡ʃ/, warmth /wɔɹmθ/, childbirth /ˈt͡ʃaɪldˌbɝθ/, clothe /ˈkloʊð/
- De klanken “sh” en “zh”: meditation /mɛdɪˈteɪʃn̩/, shave /ˈʃeɪ̯v/, ordination /ˌɔːdɪˈneɪʃn̩/, procession /pɹəˈsɛʃən/, shade /ʃeɪd/
- Lange woorden — let op de klemtoon: monastery /ˈmɑnəˌstɛɹi/, humility /hjuːˈmɪlɪti/, affectionately /əˈfɛkʃənətli/, beautifully /ˈbju.tɪ.fə.li/, considerably /kənˈsɪdəɹəbli/
Zo oefen je met deze video
- Luister de hele video één keer zonder te spreken en noteer de woorden die je niet kent.
- Spreek zin voor zin na op normale snelheid en herhaal elke zin tot je ritme gelijk is aan dat van de spreker.
- Neem jezelf op en vergelijk met het origineel; let daarbij op woorden als monastery, robe, monk.
Wat is de Shadowing-techniek?
Shadowing is een wetenschappelijk onderbouwde taalleermethode die oorspronkelijk is ontwikkeld voor professionele tolkentraining en gepopulariseerd door polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. De methode is eenvoudig maar krachtig: je luistert naar native Engelse audio en herhaalt het onmiddellijk hardop — als een schaduw die de spreker volgt met slechts 1–2 seconden vertraging. In tegenstelling tot passief luisteren of grammaticadrills, dwingt shadowing je hersenen en mondspieren om echte spraakpatronen tegelijkertijd te verwerken en te reproduceren. Onderzoek toont aan dat het de uitspraaknauwkeurigheid, intonatie, ritme, verbonden spraak, luisterbegrip en spreekvaardigheid aanzienlijk verbetert — waardoor het een van de meest effectieve methoden is voor IELTS Speaking-voorbereiding en echte Engelse communicatie.