Shadowing Practice: Old path white clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh. Chapter 1: Walking Just to Walk - Learn English Speaking with Video
Choose a practice mode
Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.
196 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Walking just to walk.
2
Under the shadows of the green bamboo, the young bhikkhu, swashed, sat cross-legged, concentrating on his breath.
3
He had been meditating for more than an hour in the bamboo forest monastery,
4
while hundreds of other bhikkhus were also practicing under the shade of the bamboo trees or in their own thatchthats.
5
The great teacher Gotama, whom people affectionately called Buddha, lived in the monastery with nearly 400 disciples.
6
Although crowded, it was very peaceful.
7
40 acres surrounded the monastery, and many varieties of graceful bamboo from all over Magadha were planted there.
8
Just a 30 minutes walk north of the capital city of Rajagaha.
9
The bamboo forest monastery had been given to Buddha and his community by King Bimbusara seven years earlier.
10
Svast rubbed his eyes and smiled.
11
His legs were still tender as he slowly uncrossed them.
12
21 years old, he had been ordained three days earlier by the Venerable Saraputta, one of the Buddha's senior disciples.
13
During the ordination ceremony, Svast's thick brown hair was shaved off.
14
Svast was very happy to be part of the Buddha's community.
15
Many bhikas were of noble birth, such as the Venerable Nanda, the Buddha's brother and Devdata, Anuruddha and Ananda.
16
Although Svast had not yet been introduced to these men, he had noticed them from afar.
17
Even in faded robes, their noble bearing was unmistakable.
18
It will be a long time before I can be friends with men of such noble birth, thought Svast.
19
And yet, even though the Buddha himself was the son of a king, Svast felt no gulf between them.
20
Svast was an untouchable, lower than the lowest
21
and poorest caste according to the system of discrimination among the people of India at that time.
22
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.
23
Everyone was very kind to him, offering him warm smiles and deep bows, but he did not yet feel at ease.
24
He suspected it might take years before he could feel completely comfortable.
25
Suddenly, a broad smile emerged from deep within him, as he thought of Rahula, the Buddha's 18-year-old son.
26
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.
27
It was Rahula who taught Svast how to follow his breath during meditation.
28
Rahula understood the Buddha's teachings well, even though he was not yet a bhikkhu.
29
He needed to wait until he was 20 before he could receive full ordination.
30
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.
31
When the Buddha arrived at his home, Svast was out with his brother, Rupak, taking care of the buffaloes.
32
His two sisters, Bala, age 16, and Bhima, age 12, were there, and Bala recognized the Buddha right away.
33
She began to run out to find Svast, but the Buddha told her it wasn't necessary.
34
He said that he and the monks traveling with him, including Rahula, would walk to the river to find her brother.
35
It was late afternoon when they came upon Svast and Rupak scrubbing down their nine buffaloes in the Naranjara River.
36
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.
37
You've grown so much, the Buddha said, smiling warmly at Svast and his brother.
38
Svast was speechless.
39
Seeing the Buddha's peaceful face, his warm and generous smile, and his brilliant, penetrating eyes, moved him to tears.
40
The Buddha wore a saffron robe made of patches sewn together in the pattern of a rice field.
41
He still walked barefoot as he had 10 years before, when Svast first met him not far from this very spot.
42
10 years before they had spent hours sitting together on the banks of the Naranhara
43
and beneath the shade of the Bodhi tree, just 10 minutes walk from the riverbank.
44
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.
45
Looking more closely, Svast saw that the Buddha's robe was a hand length longer than those of the others.
46
Standing next to the Buddha was a novice about Svast's age who looked at him directly and smiled.
47
Buddha gently placed his hands on Svast and Rupak's heads
48
and told them he had stopped by to visit on his way back to Rajagaha.
49
He said he would be happy to wait while Svast
50
and Rupak finished bathing the buffalo so they could all walk to Svast's thatched hut together.
51
During the walk back, Buddha introduced Svast and Rupak to his son Rahula, the young novice who had smiled so beautifully at Svast.
52
Rahula was three years younger than Svast, but they were the same height.
53
Rahula was a Samanara, a novice, but he dressed much the same as the older bhikis.
54
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.
55
He had heard so much about Svast and his family from his father that he felt he already knew them.
56
The brothers basked in the warmth of Rahula's love.
57
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.
58
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.
59
Now that Svast was 21, the Buddha had returned.
60
He had not forgotten his promise.
61
Rupak led the buffaloes back to Mr. Ramphu, their owner.
62
The Buddha sat outside Svast's hut, on a small stool, while the beacus stood behind him him.
63
With earthen walls and a thatched roof, Svast's tiny home was not large enough for everyone to come inside.
64
Bala told Svast, brother, please go with the Buddha.
65
Rupak is even stronger than you were when you began tending the buffaloes, and I am quite capable of taking care of the house.
66
You have looked after us for 10 years, and now we are ready to be on our own.
67
Sitting next to the rainwater barrel, Bhima looked up at her big sister without saying a word.
68
Svast looked at Bhima.
69
She was a lovely young girl.
70
When Svoshed met the Buddha, Bala was 6 years old, Rupak 3, and Bhima only an infant.
71
Bala cooked for the family while Rupak played in the sand.
72
// Six months following their father's death, their mother passed away in childbirth.
73
Just 11 years old, Svacht became the head of the household.
74
He found a job tending water buffaloes, and because Svacht was a good worker, he earned enough to feed his family.
75
He was even able to bring buffalo milk home for little Bhima.
76
Realizing that Svacht was asking her about her feelings, Bhima smiled.
77
She hesitated a moment and then spoke softly, brother, go with the Buddha.
78
She turned her face away to hide the tears.
79
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.
80
The Buddha sat outside Svast's hut, on a small stool.
81
Just then, Rupak returned from the village, and hearing Bhima's words, go with the Buddha, he understood that the time had come.
82
He looked at Svast and said, Yes, brother, please go with the Buddha, and the whole family fell silent.
83
Rupak looked at the Buddha and said, Venerable Sir, I hope you will permit my brother to study with you.
84
I am old enough to care for our family.
85
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.
86
The Buddha stood up and gently stroked Bhima's hair.
87
Children, please eat now.
88
Tomorrow morning, I will return for Svash so we can walk together to Rajagaha.
89
The bhikkhus and I will rest beneath the Bodhi tree tonight.
90
As the Buddha reached the gate, he looked back at Svashd and said, Tomorrow morning, you do not need to bring anything.
91
The clothes you are wearing are enough.
92
That night the four siblings stayed up late.
93
Like a departing father, Svashd gave them his last advice on taking care of each other and the household.
94
He embraced each of them for a long time.
95
Unable to hold back her tears, little Bhima sobbed while her oldest brother held her.
96
But then she looked up, breathed deeply, and smiled at him.
97
She didn't want Svash to feel sad.
98
The oil lamp cast a dim light, but it was enough for Svash to see her smile, and he appreciated it.
99
Early the next morning, Sujata, Svash's friend, came to say goodbye.
100
The evening before, she had seen the Buddha
101
when she was on her way to the river bank
102
and he told her that Svast would be joining the order of monks.
103
Sujata, the daughter of the village head, was two years older than Svast, and she, too, had met Gotama before he became the Buddha.
104
Sujata gave Svast a small jar of herbal medicines to take with him.
105
They spoke only briefly and then the Buddha and his disciples arrived.
106
Svast's brother and sisters were already awake to see their brother off.
107
Rahula spoke gently to each of them, encouraging them to be strong and to take care of each other.
108
He promised that whenever he was nearby, he would stop in Uravaila to visit them.
109
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.
110
Svast was overcome with both fear and joy.
111
There was a knot in his stomach.
112
This was the first time He said it would take 10 days to reach Rajagaha.
113
Most people traveled more quickly, but the Buddha and his bhikkhus walked slowly and with great ease.
114
As Svast's pace slowed down, his heart quieted.
115
He was wholeheartedly immersing himself in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, and this was his path.
116
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.
117
It seemed to Svosh that the Buddha walked just to enjoy the walking, unconcerned about arriving anywhere at all.
118
So it was with all the beacus.
119
No one seemed anxious or impatient to reach their destination.
120
Each man's steps were slow, balanced, and peaceful.
121
It was as if they were taking a pleasant stroll together.
122
No one ever appeared tired, and yet they covered a good distance each day.
123
Each morning they would stop in the nearest village to beg for food.
124
They walked along the streets in a single line with the Buddha at the head.
125
Svast came last, just behind Ruhula.
126
They walked with quiet dignity, observing each breath and each step.
127
Once in a while, they would stop while villagers placed offerings of food in their bowls.
128
Some villagers knelt by the side of the road in respect.
129
As the bhikas received the food, they quietly recited prayers for the people.
130
When they finished begging, they slowly left the village to find a place beneath some trees
131
or in a grassy meadow where they could eat.
132
They sat in a circle and divided the food equally, careful to fill anyone's bowl that was still empty.
133
Rahula filled a jug with water from a nearby stream and respectfully carried it to the Buddha.
134
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.
135
He did the same for everyone else, coming last to Svast.
136
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.
137
Before eating, the bhikkas joined their palms and chanted together.
138
Then they ate in silence, mindful of each bite.
139
When they finished, some bhikkas practiced walking meditation, some did sitting meditation, and others took a short nap.
140
When the hottest part of the day had passed, they took to the road again, and they walked until it was nearly dark.
141
The best places to rest for the night were undisturbed forests, and they walked until they found a good place.
142
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.
143
Each bhikkhu carried two robes, the one he was wearing and another to use as protection against wind and cold.
144
Svashth sat in meditation like the others and learned to sleep upon the earth using a tree root for a pillow.
145
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.
146
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.
147
Walking by day and resting by night, it was ten days before they reached Rajagaha, the capital of Magadha.
148
It was the first time Svash had seen a city.
149
Horse carts pressed through streets lined with crowded dwellings, shouts and laughter echoed everywhere.
150
But the silent procession of the bhikis continued, as peacefully as when they strolled along the quiet riverbanks or between country rice fields.
151
A few of the city dwellers paused to watch them and a few, recognizing the Buddha, bowed deeply to show their respect.
152
The bhikkhus continued their calm procession until they reached the bamboo forest monastery, just beyond the city.
153
News spread quickly throughout the monastery that the Buddha had returned, and within moments, nearly 400 bhikkhus gathered to welcome him back.
154
The Buddha did not say much but asked about everyone's well-being and meditation practice.
155
He entrusted Svash to Saraputta who was also Rahula's spiritual instructor.
156
Sariputta was the novice master of Bamboo Forest Monastery and watched over the studies of nearly 50 young monks,
157
all of whom had been in the community for less than three years.
158
The abbot of the monastery was a monk named Kandana.
159
Rahula was asked to introduce Svash to the ways of monastery life, how to walk, sit, stand,
160
greet others, do walking and sitting meditation, and observe his breathing.
161
He also showed Svash how to where the monks robe, beg for food, recite prayers, and wash his bowl.
162
For three continuous days, Svashd did not leave Rahula's side, so that he could learn these things well.
163
Rahula put his whole heart into instructing Svashd, yet Svashd knew it would take years of practicing before he
164
would be able to do these things in a relaxed and natural way.
165
After this basic instruction, Saraputta invited Svashd into his hut and explained the precepts of a bhikkhu.
166
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,
167
and the Sangha as the community that supports one along the path.
168
A bhikkhu's life was simple and humble.
169
Begging for food helped foster humility
170
and was also a means to be in contact with others
171
and help them see the way of love and understanding which the Buddha taught.
172
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,
173
so it was easy for him to grasp all that Saraputta told him.
174
Though Saraputta's face appeared serious, his eyes and smile radiated great warmth and compassion.
175
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.
176
Saraputta himself presided over the precept ceremony.
177
About 20 bhikkas attended.
178
The Buddha and Rahula were there, adding to Svash's happiness.
179
Saraputta silently recited a gata, and then shaved off several locks of Svash's hair.
180
He then gave the razor to Rahula, who completed the task of shaving Svash's head.
181
Saraputta gave Svash three robes, a bowl, and a water filter.
182
Because he had already been taught by Rahula how to wear the robe, Svast put it on without difficulty.
183
He bowed before the Buddha and the other bhikkas present to express his deep gratitude.
184
Later that morning, Svast practiced begging for the first time as an ordained bhikkhu.
185
The monks of Bamboo Forest Monastery walked into Rajagaha in several small groups, and Svast was part of a group led by Saraputta.
186
After taking just a few steps out of the monastery, Svast reminded himself that begging was a vehicle to practice the way.
187
He observed his breathing and took each step quietly and in mindfulness.
188
Rahula walked behind him.
189
Although he was now a Bhikkhu, Swash knew that he had considerably less experience than Rahula.
190
He resolved with all his heart to nurture humility and virtue within himself.
191
Thank you.
192
Thank you.
193
Thank you.
194
Thank you.
195
Thank you.
196
Thank you.
Download App
Everything you need to speak fluently
AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
✨ Recommend Video
C11
41 sentences
Buddhism For Beginners 1: The Three Treasures (Animated) - RKINA
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
C11
102 sentences
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down:… by Haemin Sunim · Audiobook preview
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
C11
302 sentences
Why It Sucks to Be a Brothers' SHARED Wife (in Ancient Tibet)
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
![#4 Phật Giáo trong Kỷ nguyên Độc lập & Thơ Thiền Thời Lý I SỬ VIỆT PHẬT GIÁO [English]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-4sqBanUwZ4/mqdefault.jpg)
C11
24 sentences
#4 Phật Giáo trong Kỷ nguyên Độc lập & Thơ Thiền Thời Lý I SỬ VIỆT PHẬT GIÁO [English]
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C11
52 sentences
English Reading Practice: #1 (Advanced) | Mahatma Gandhi
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
C15
4 sentences
Loneliness and the Illusion of Connection | Thich Nhat Hanh, 2012.12.13
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B21
90 sentences
Control Your Mind Before It Destroys Your Life | Monk And Cat Story |
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
C12
66 sentences
Behave as if You Are the First Here
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
C12
149 sentences
The Bloody Origins of the Number Zero
Daily ConversationUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
B21
14 sentences
Spotting the shared values #shorts
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
B11
81 sentences
My Daily Life in Vietnam 🇻🇳 | No Job, No Friends, No Marriage - But I Love It | Cozy Quiet Day Vlog
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
C15
54 sentences
The Kingdom of God is Now | Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh | #mindfulness
Daily ConversationWorking Adults
Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This B2 speaking lesson is built on the video “Old path white clouds by Thich Nhat Hanh. Chapter 1: Walking Just to Walk”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: Buddha, Svast, Rahula, bhikkhu, Rupak. This video has 196 sentences and 2928 words to shadow. The speech runs for 19:50. The speaker talks at a steady 148 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. Only 76% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| bhikkhu noun | /ˈbɪkuː/ | A male Buddhist monk or priest; one who follows all Buddhist precepts as a full member of the sangha. |
| monastery noun | /ˈmɑnəˌstɛɹi/ | A residence for monks or others who have taken religious vows. |
| robe noun | /ɹoʊb/ | A long loose outer garment, often signifying honorary stature. |
| monk noun | /mʌŋk/ | A male member of a monastic order who has devoted his life for religious service. |
| bamboo noun | /bæmˈbu/ | Any of the fast-growing grasses of the Bambusoideae subfamily, characterized by its woody, hollow, round, straight, jointed stem. |
| buffalo noun | /ˈbʌf.ə.loʊ/ | An animal from the subtribe Bubalina, also known as true buffalos, such as the Cape buffalo, Syncerus caffer, or the water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis. |
| meditation noun | /mɛdɪˈteɪʃn̩/ | A devotional exercise of, or leading to, contemplation. |
| novice adjective | /ˈnɑvɪs/ | Of a beginner; unfamiliar or unexperienced in a particular subject. |
| disciple noun | /dɪˈsaɪ.pəl/ | A person who learns from another, especially one who then teaches others. |
| recite verb | /ɹɪˈsaɪt/ | To repeat aloud (some passage, poem or other text previously memorized, or in front of one's eyes), often before an audience. |
| lotus noun | /ˈloʊtəs/ | Any member of the genus Nelumbo of aquatic plants in the family Nelumbonaceae. |
| shave verb | /ˈʃeɪ̯v/ | To make (the head, skin etc.) bald or (the hair) shorter by using a tool such as a razor or electric clippers to cut the hair close to the skin. |
| observe verb | /əbˈzɜːv/ | To notice or view, especially carefully or with attention to detail. |
| gently adverb | /ˈd͡ʒɛntli/ | Without strong force or quickness: softly, lightly. |
| awaken verb | /əˈweɪkən/ | To cause to become awake. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| hold back verb | To act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power. | |
| come back verb | To return to a place. | |
| look up verb | /ˌlʊk ˈʌp/ | To have better prospects. |
| pick up verb | To lift; to grasp and raise. | |
| run up verb | To run (towards someone or something); to hasten to a destination. | |
| slow down verb | To decelerate. | |
| spread out verb | Become further apart. | |
| stand behind verb | To support; express one's support for, especially despite opposition; to stick with a decision. |
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | were planted · had been given · had been ordained |
| Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now | You've grown · have looked |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 3 contractions and reduced forms, such as didn't, wasn't, you've. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: thatch /θæt͡ʃ/, warmth /wɔɹmθ/, childbirth /ˈt͡ʃaɪldˌbɝθ/, clothe /ˈkloʊð/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: meditation /mɛdɪˈteɪʃn̩/, shave /ˈʃeɪ̯v/, ordination /ˌɔːdɪˈneɪʃn̩/, procession /pɹəˈsɛʃən/, shade /ʃeɪd/
- Long words — get the stress right: monastery /ˈmɑnəˌstɛɹi/, humility /hjuːˈmɪlɪti/, affectionately /əˈfɛkʃənətli/, beautifully /ˈbju.tɪ.fə.li/, considerably /kənˈsɪdəɹəbli/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like bhikkhu, monastery, robe.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.