Named for the 14 year old girl who saved Buddha’s life

Together with his disciples, Buddha traveled back to Sujata’s Village (Bakror) where they visited with Sujata and the young buffalo boy, Svasti. They then returned to the kingdom of Maghada where King Bimbasara offered Buddha a large bamboo grove in Rajagaya (Rajgir) for his monks to stay during the three month rainy season if Buddha would teach him as well. As Buddha traveled, more and more people were drawn to his teachings.

Buddha returned home accompanied by his disciples. His father was disappointed that Buddha had no wish to take over the kingdom but his wife, Vasodhara and adopted mother, Gotama, were deeply touched by his teachings and in time started a monastic branch for women. Four years later his son Rahula asked to become a disciple.

In his dharma talk at Sujata Village, Thay said that the Buddha was reluctant to teach because what he understood was so profound. He needed to make the teaching very simple.

Learn from your own suffering. If what you eat makes you sick, don’t eat it again.  What matters is your practice not theory. If you integrate the knowledge that all is empty and all is connected, you will be freed from fear.