Twenty years ago, Thich Nhat Hanh wrote a book called Old Path White Clouds that recounted the life of the historical Buddha. The book describes the Buddha as a human being like all of us, capable of human emotions and concerns. Like the Buddha, we all have Buddha nature and are capable of living as bodhisattvas, people who have dedicated their lives to the welfare of all beings.
As Thich Nhat Hanh wrote in that original edition:
“In writing this book…I have avoided including the many miracles that are often used in the sutras to embellish the Buddha’s life. The Buddha himself advised his disciples not to waste time and energy on acquiring or practicing supernatural powers. I have, however, included many of the difficulties the Buddha encountered during his life from both the larger society and his own disciples. If the Buddha appears in this book as a human being close to us, it is partly thanks to recounting such difficulties.”
Since the first publication of Old Path White Clouds, people have requested a condensed edition of the book, focused on the Buddha’s life and travels, that can introduce people to the practice of mindfulness. We created this book in the hopes that you can, indeed, carry it with you as you walk in the footsteps of the Buddha.
Rachel Neumann, Parallax Press
As King Suddhodhana hurried in to see his wife and newborn son, his joy was boundless.