A Sutra Fragment Recently Uncovered in Utah

INTRODUCTION

Uncovered by the retreating waters of Utah’s Great Salt Lake, a recently discovered Buddhist sutra fragment reveals timeless teachings originally delivered at the bustling intersection of Interstate 15 and Interstate 80. This remarkable sutra invites modern drivers to apply the Eightfold Path during their daily commutes, transforming chaotic traffic moments into opportunities for mindfulness, compassion, and spiritual growth. Experience the convergence of ancient wisdom and contemporary life as the sutra calls for patience, generosity, and equanimity amid the roads and waters of Utah. – Now the Sutra

---

Thus have I heard.

Not long ago, when many were gathered at the cloverleaf where the Interstate 80 and the Interstate 15 meet, many of the followers of the Buddha were gathered near an open field next to the freeways.

When the Buddha appeared, he had come to address the assembly of lay followers and drivers of all ages. The Awakened One sat in full lotus and began to teach.

I heard these words of the Buddha:

“Drivers!”

And the drivers replied: “Venerable Lord!”

The Buddha’s face softened, and he emitted a ray of light from the tuft between his eyebrows.

“O Drivers, my concern for you and all living beings is boundless, and thus I have come here, where these two rivers meet—the Interstate 15 and the Interstate 80 and their tributaries.

I have come here because of the suffering that pervades this river and its tributaries. Since beginningless time, all sentient beings have had all sorts of delusions, like a disoriented person who has lost his sense of direction, who are held hostage to strong emotions of failed expectation, who argues with reality daily, especially during their morning and evening commutes.

Even the virtuous follower can find themselves overcome by blind passions when someone invades their lane of traffic or crowds their rear bumper at high speeds. Even the wise can be blind-sided by anger at a slow conveyance in the passing lane.

Do I not speak the truth?”

And the drivers replied: “Yes, Awakened One.”

Thus I heard the Buddha teach:

“Good drivers, when you approach your vehicle, be mindful of its largeness and heaviness. Do not let your anger turn your conveyance into a weapon. Before you begin a journey, approach it and bow.”

The gathered assembly said: “Yes, Lord.”

The Buddha continued:

“While sitting behind the steering wheel of your vehicle, bring to mind the wheel of the dharma and the eight spokes of the eightfold path. Apply each of the eight to your driving:

Right View, Right Resolve, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration, and lastly, for you my followers that are employed by Lyft, Uber, Yellow Cab, UPS, Amazon, or Pureland Trucking— Right Livelihood.”

One driver from the assembly arose and spoke to the Awakened One:

“Most wise Lord, what am I supposed to do when another driver is angry at me and glares and presents his middle finger?”

The Buddha smiled.

“A good question. I say to each of you: when another’s anger overflows and gesticulates all over you, your response as my follower is to simply bow and let go of any animosity.”

And the assembled drivers spoke out in unanimous voices: “Yes, Most Venerable One.”

The Most Noble One continued:

“We can see the Interstate and its tributaries like a city in need of…”

[fragment ends here and the next fragment begins]

At the end of his sermon, the Buddha said these words:

“If any one of you gathered here, O humble drivers, heed my words—bowing and bringing to mind the turning of the dharma wheel while you drive and practice mindfulness, generosity, and patience—they will be freed from suffering and will achieve equanimity, and these two freeways will become a place of practice and compassion and no longer rivers of folly and suffering.”

Thus I heard the Buddha speak at the spaghetti bowl of the Interstate 15 and the Interstate 80.

---

End of Fragment

Copyright 2025 Chris Leibow