Books on Buddhism in Hindu Swami's House Set Me On the Path

By M Sivana

I don't know if it was serendipity, or something more profound, but I found Buddhism because of a delayed bus and a Hindu swami.
I was in Chennaim India for four months for school. One day, I was traveling by bus,and spotted a 'Vivekananda illam'—the house of the great swami. I could not get down there  as it was a busy road with heavy traffic. But after a week the bus that  I traveled happened to stop for sometime in the very front of that divine house.
I did not think twice. Suddenly, I left the bus and went to the 'Vivekananda Illam'. The time was around 5 PM. There was some description about 'Vivekananda's' life and his speeches inside the house.
I naturally gravitated towards the books on display and was amazed by seeing the books related with divinity, but not all related to Hinduism as expected. I could see many books about 'Lord Buddha'. I bought around 12 books by paying less than 70 rupees (USD 1.5). These were life changing books. I don't know if it was because I found them in the swami's house, or was moved by the sheer profundity.
When I reached my room, I started reading the books on Buddhism. One thing that got my attention is the 'Middle path' approach of Buddhism. I wasn't a Buddhist then, but this message grabbed me.
I felt I had been searching for this idea all my life. After reading this discourse on the middle path, knowingly or unknowingly, I found my actions and thoughts changed. I became less extreme. The middle path teachings gave me peace of mind, satisfaction and happiness.
The 'four noble truths' changed me, almost over night. I started accepting that everything should be seen as it is. When there is sorrow, it is true that 'sorrow' exists and there is a reason behind it. I continue to suffer a lot of things that add fuel  to my existing sorrows. But, from that day, after reading the books of Lord Buddha,  my life changed.
My life changed thanks to the teachings of the Buddha, my journey in Chennai and a delayed bus.
Serendipity, chance, or something more mysterious, I am  grateful I came to Buddhism through that bus in Chennaim.