To realize that the basis of happiness is virtue can be a joyful adventure, but it's not easy. We can see for ourselves it takes a lot of trial and error, doing all kinds of stupid things and learning from them. Like us, the fully awakened Gautama Buddha had to do the same. While his former life was that of a prince, his path might have started long before that. More important than whether tales of his past lives truly happened is the question: can they teach us something true that can guide us in our own path?

This excerpt is from a talk that was given at a silent retreat in May 2021. This is a time for the MAPLE community to focus exclusively on awakening.

Humble Beginnings of the Fully Awakened One - Soryu Forall

A Modern Monastery (Mindfulness & Leadership Training Center) in Lowell, Vermont https://www.monasticacademy.com/

Humble Beginnings of the Fully Awakened One - Soryu Forall

Monastic Academy