Jennifer’s Reviews > Old Path White Clouds: Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha > Status Update

“They made friends with many of the bhikkhus and were able to taste the joyous and peaceful life of one who leaves home to follow the Way.”

😏 Yes, how convenient. 7 years with no news of his wife and child, and he delays returning home to sit out the monsoon season and teach the Way. You know, for the joyous and peaceful life of having no domestic or interpersonal responsibilities. We’d all be Buddhas!

Perhaps one day it will be a good thing that I immerse myself in Buddhist teachings. Right now, it still feels so convenient that men have cultural “permission” across the globe to trot away from the vagaries of reality. Sure, enlightenment is attainable with women left behind to carry the brunt of responsible existence. As if facing oneself is harder than facing those you have abandoned and depend on.