Breakfast With Buddha

During breakfast at the General Sutter Inn, Otto engages in a peculiar and revealing interaction with Rinpoche. Otto orders a simple meal, reflecting on the previous day’s events and still feeling a sense of relief for no longer having to uphold a facade of perfection. Rinpoche joins him, and his demeanor and actions are notably different and intriguing. He declines Otto’s dinner invitation, opting for rest, and reveals an understanding of Otto’s indulgence the previous night by commenting, “Your face shows” (76).

The breakfast conversation takes an unexpected turn when Rinpoche offers Otto a “lesson.” He places dirt in Otto’s water glass, stirring it to cloud the water and then allowing it to settle. Rinpoche uses this as a metaphor for life, explaining, “When you—when some person—does things he shouldn’t do […] Then you can’t see” (79). The lesson suggests that negative actions and emotions disrupt purity of mind and clarity of vision. Despite Otto’s initial resistance and skepticism, he finds himself engaged and somewhat perplexed by Rinpoche’s unconventional teaching methods. The breakfast ends with a sense of disconnection and unease, as Otto struggles to reconcile his own beliefs with Rinpoche’s challenging perspectives.

After leaving the General Sutter Inn, Otto drives away feeling a mix of frustration and reluctant acceptance, likening his mood to that of a petulant teenager. Despite Rinpoche’s oddities, Otto silently acknowledges an inexplicable fondness for him; nevertheless, he feels unsettled by Rinpoche’s apparent arrogance. Their journey continues through picturesque farmland, sparking Otto’s contemplation of the Amish and Mennonite lifestyles and then to deeper thoughts about the sacrifices made for religious devotion and the true meaning of living a fulfilled life. The trip takes them to Hershey Attractions, where Otto, hoping to showcase American culture, takes Rinpoche on a tour of the Chocolate Factory. Despite the commercialism and consumerism on display, Rinpoche’s reaction is one of childlike delight, especially when tasting a chocolate kiss. Otto reflects on the complexities of American life, comparing his love for the country to that for a long-term partner: deeply familiar yet still mysterious.

Otto’s meticulous preferences for food lead him and Rinpoche to Bedford, Pennsylvania, in search of a wholesome meal at a non-chain restaurant. Despite the commercialism and religious overtones he observes upon entering the town, they find a delightful spot called the Green Harvest. The meal is a pleasant surprise, offering a respite from the usual road food. However, this tranquility is short-lived when Rinpoche hands Otto a letter from Cecelia, revealing that Rinpoche has a series of speaking engagements, intricately planned along their route. The first talk is in Youngstown, Ohio, that very evening, pressing them for time. Otto feels deceived and frustrated by this sudden commitment but remains composed. They hastily leave the restaurant to rush to the event, as Otto struggles to reconcile this unexpected turn in their journey. Despite the turmoil, Otto’s commitment to politeness remains, as evident in his interaction with the waitress and his smooth handling of the situation.

Otto and Rinpoche arrive late to the speaking engagement in Youngstown, Ohio, due to unexpected delays and Rinpoche’s laid-back attitude toward time. Otto’s frustration mounts, as punctuality is crucial to him, and they navigate through the desolate urban landscape of Youngstown. When they finally reach the venue, a modest gathering awaits Rinpoche’s talk. The setting is humble, and the audience, a mix of people from various backgrounds, listens intently to Rinpoche’s words. Rinpoche speaks about life as a journey of learning, emphasizing that both good and bad experiences are teachers. When Otto challenges Rinpoche’s views, questioning the purpose of learning and the need for spiritual practices, Rinpoche responds by highlighting Otto’s good nature and prompting him to reflect on his motivations for choosing goodness over harm. The exchange leaves Otto internally conflicted and questioning; his emotions swirl as he again tries to reconcile Rinpoche’s spiritual perspective with his own practical worldview.

After Rinpoche’s speaking event in Youngstown, Otto is consumed by a mix of emotions, feeling anxious, angry, and somehow guilty, though he can’t pinpoint why. Rinpoche’s relaxed demeanor in engaging with his audience contrasts with Otto’s internal turmoil. Otto grapples with his feelings and the striking poverty he witnesses. During dinner at an Italian restaurant, Rinpoche casually discusses his views on life, including his take on celibacy and balance in life. Otto, meanwhile, struggles with the notion of too much of anything being detrimental, reflecting on his own life choices. They meet the chef of the restaurant, who notes Youngstown’s decline, prompting Otto to ponder the moral implications of profit-driven decisions and his own justifications for his actions.

At the Inn of Chagrin Falls, Otto feels a mix of comfort and irritation. The luxurious setting contrasts with his internal disquiet stemming from the day’s events and his introspection. While Rinpoche seems at ease, exploring the library, Otto is bothered by minor imperfections in the inn and a loud air conditioner, disrupting his attempt to compose a heartfelt letter to his son, Anthony. In the letter, Otto expresses deep love for his family and shares his mixed feelings about Rinpoche and Cecelia’s spiritual pursuits. Despite trying to focus on the positives, Otto’s reflections turn to life’s inevitable disappointments and irritations. He acknowledges his resistance to Rinpoche’s teachings and contemplates the future, pondering aging, the changing nature of life’s pleasures, and the potential for new joys like grandchildren. As he drifts off to sleep, Otto clings to optimism, planning for the next day and the ongoing journey with Rinpoche.

In the quaint village of Chagrin Falls, Otto and Rinpoche take a reflective morning walk. As they stand by the waterfall, Otto confronts the spiritual questions posed by Rinpoche, sharing his perspective on why people choose good over bad and expressing contentment with his life. However, Rinpoche’s questions about death and the purpose of life unsettle him. Rinpoche challenges Otto’s satisfaction with earthly pleasures, hinting at a greater, more enduring joy beyond temporary satisfaction. Despite Otto’s skepticism, reminiscent of the cynicism he imagines from onlookers at a coffee shop, he admits to believing in heaven. Rinpoche claims to have experienced this heaven on earth and offers to share this profound joy with Otto. Caught between doubt and curiosity, Otto’s interaction with Rinpoche reveals a mix of resistance and openness to spiritual exploration.

Rinpoche interrupts the journey by needing to meditate for two hours to honor the reincarnation anniversary of a revered teacher. He invites Otto to join him, but Otto declines, feeling a mix of resistance and curiosity toward Rinpoche’s spiritual practices. As Rinpoche meditates, Otto watches morning television, becoming increasingly disillusioned by the superficiality and negativity it reflects, which leads him to question modern society’s progress and values, comparing the current state of affairs to the simpler, more connected life he remembers from his childhood. Despite Otto’s growing sense of disenchantment, the journey with Rinpoche must continue. After Rinpoche’s meditation, they prepare to leave, and Otto feels a loss of energy and purpose, indicating his growing internal conflict about his beliefs and lifestyle.