Head Stones and Mile Stones

It has been taught by many trainers and motivational gurus to set aside a special day to contemplate and plan for the coming year ahead. Being a sucker for such stuff, I admit, I faithfully followed.

One who fails to plan, plans to fail, so the mantra goes. Is that really so?

As we travel along the roads, we see milestones. By planning, we set our own milestones along this journey of life. Is that good?

Maybe the truer truth is that all these milestones don't matter.

We spend so much time and effort accumulating the wealth of this world. The most important thing seems forgotten along the way.

As we fade away witht he sunset, what is it that really matters? On reflection, all the milestones that we planted are just gravestones.

Did Yasodhara Sleep?

The Buddha stole away quietly one night with no one any the wiser. That is the popular account.

There is somewhere in the basket of teachings where the Buddha said that when he left, his father was weeping. Would that mean that he left in the presence of the royal court? Or is it a translation glib?

The popular account is that before he mounted his horse with faithful Channa beside him, he stole a look at his sleeping wife, Yasodhara.

Was Yasodhara asleep?

Yasodhara was a most kind woman and from the Buddha’s lips we learn that she in a previous life during the time of Dipankara Buddha, was destined to travel the path to Buddhahood with the Buddha. It seems she knew that the Buddha was leaving that night and had instructed Channa to prepare the prince for the journey.

Would she be able to sleep on a night like this? Or was she only pretending, knowing that to face a parting would make it more difficult for the prince?