When king Suddhodana came to know that the Buddha was preaching in Rajagaha he sent nine messenger, one after another, inviting him to come to Kapilavatthu. All the messengers became monks under the Buddha. The Buddha's teachings were so appealing to them that they wished to listen to more of his teachings and they forgot to convey the King's message. The King also had made arrangement for the Buddha t stay in the park named Nigrodha. But when the Buddha did not come, the king sent Kaludayi who was a playmate of the Buddha to invite the Buddha. Then only, the Buddha received the message and agreed to go to the palace.
When the people of Kapilavatthu came to know that the Buddha had come eo their city all of them flocked to the city to see the Buddha, and the Prince Siddhartha's own relatives said, "he is our younger brother, our nephew, our grandson." They asked their younger ones, "You go forward and respect him. We will sit behind you." Then the Buddha realised that some people even then, did not understand that he was already Enlightened but felt they were his elders. He showed them a miracle called the "twin miracle". The king seeing this miracle worshipped him.
The next day, he took his beging bowl and went from door to door asking for food. The king was very annoyed when he saw his son begging in the street. He ran to him and said, "Why do you disgrace me, my son? Why do you ruin me like this? Why don't you take food in the palace? Is it proper for you to beg food in this very city where you used to travel in golden seda chairs? Why do you put me to shame, my dear son?"
"I am not putting you to shame, O Great king This is our custom," said the Buddha calmly. "How can it be? Nobody in our family had ever to beg like this. How can you say "it is our custom?".
"O Great king, that is not the custom of your royal family. But it is the custom of the Buddhas. All the former Buddhas have lived by receving their food like this." However when the king begged him to take food in the palace, the Buddha went into the palace to take food.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
THE KASSAPA BROTHERS
As soon as he had sisty monks the Buddha sent them away to preach his teaching to the people everywhere and then he himself also left the deer park at Isipatana, and turning Southwards in the direction of the Magadha counry, at last cane back to Uruvela. On the bank of the river there lived three brothers whose name were Uruvela Kassapa, Nadi Kassapa and Gaya Kassapa. They were living separately wit 500, 300 and 200 followers respectively. One evening the Buddha visited Uruvela Kassapa's hut and said; "If it is not an inconvenience to you may i spend the night in your kitchen?"
"I don't mind, Great Gotama, your spending the night in my hunt. But there is a fierce serpent king in the kitchen. I am afraid that it would harm you," said Uruvela Kassapa. "O! that I don't mind. If you have no objection shall i spend the night over there?" said the Buddha.
"All right, go and sleep. Good night and best of luck." said the ascetic. The Buddha also wishing him good night went into the kitchen and spreading some grass on the floor sat down on it. The serpent-king became very fierce and opening his mouth went to sting the Buddha. "I will not harm this poor serpent-king. But i will subdue him by my love and kindness." thought the Buddha. The more the scrpent-king became angry the more kindly became the Buddha. The serpent-king could not do any harm to the Buddha. Early in the next morning the ascetic thought that the Buddha might have been killed by the serpent-king and said to himself, "Let me go bury his body." so he went to see the Buddha.
When he went there he found Buddha siting in deep meditation. The ascetic was shocked and asked him whether the serpent-king had harmed him or not. "Here it is see yourself," said the Buddha and opened his begging bowl in front of the ascetic. Out came the fierce serpent-king. the ascetic that he had a great charm to tame any fierce serpent. "Can i too learn it?" asked the ascetic who was very proud of his power at the begining. He realised that the Buddha had acquired greater power than he so he became a follower of the Buddha. As soon as his younger brother came to know that their elder brother had became a Buddhist, they too, followed him. And all the thousand followers of these brothers also became Buddhists.
"I don't mind, Great Gotama, your spending the night in my hunt. But there is a fierce serpent king in the kitchen. I am afraid that it would harm you," said Uruvela Kassapa. "O! that I don't mind. If you have no objection shall i spend the night over there?" said the Buddha.
"All right, go and sleep. Good night and best of luck." said the ascetic. The Buddha also wishing him good night went into the kitchen and spreading some grass on the floor sat down on it. The serpent-king became very fierce and opening his mouth went to sting the Buddha. "I will not harm this poor serpent-king. But i will subdue him by my love and kindness." thought the Buddha. The more the scrpent-king became angry the more kindly became the Buddha. The serpent-king could not do any harm to the Buddha. Early in the next morning the ascetic thought that the Buddha might have been killed by the serpent-king and said to himself, "Let me go bury his body." so he went to see the Buddha.
When he went there he found Buddha siting in deep meditation. The ascetic was shocked and asked him whether the serpent-king had harmed him or not. "Here it is see yourself," said the Buddha and opened his begging bowl in front of the ascetic. Out came the fierce serpent-king. the ascetic that he had a great charm to tame any fierce serpent. "Can i too learn it?" asked the ascetic who was very proud of his power at the begining. He realised that the Buddha had acquired greater power than he so he became a follower of the Buddha. As soon as his younger brother came to know that their elder brother had became a Buddhist, they too, followed him. And all the thousand followers of these brothers also became Buddhists.
YASA AND HIS FIFTY-FOUR FRIENDS
The Buddha preached to those five friends so that they may attain everlasting happiness. Kondanna, the wisest of the five, listened to him very attentively and understood the whole teaching of the Buddha. All of them remained there for a short period. While the Buddha was thus staying in the Deer Park at Isipatana, Benares, there came to see him a rich young man of the neighbourhood, called Yasa. And after the young Yasa had heard the Buddha explain his teaching and what it led to, he was so pleased with what he heard that he became a Bhikkhu (monk) in order to hear and and learn more.
But towards evening, that day, an elderly man came to where the Buddha was, and told him that his son left home that morning saying he was going to visit the Buddha, but he had not came home again, and his mother was crying, thinking that he must have been killed by robbers on the way: Then the Buddha told the man that his son had become a Bhikkhu and he began to explain his teaching to new Bhikkhu's father. And so well did he speak that when he had ended, the father also askedto be his follower. The Buddha made him his fallow. Yasa's father was a millionaire and he invited to Buddha and the other six monks to take lunch in is house. The Buddha accepted the invitatin and went to his ouse. After lunch the Buddha preached to Yasa's mother and Yasa's former wife. Yasa had fifty-four friends. The also were present to see the Buddha and they saw Yasa as a monk. When they heard the preaching of Buddha they also told the Buddha that they wanted to become monks like Yasa himself. The Buddha agreed and made them monks. In this way within a short time there were sisty monks.
But towards evening, that day, an elderly man came to where the Buddha was, and told him that his son left home that morning saying he was going to visit the Buddha, but he had not came home again, and his mother was crying, thinking that he must have been killed by robbers on the way: Then the Buddha told the man that his son had become a Bhikkhu and he began to explain his teaching to new Bhikkhu's father. And so well did he speak that when he had ended, the father also askedto be his follower. The Buddha made him his fallow. Yasa's father was a millionaire and he invited to Buddha and the other six monks to take lunch in is house. The Buddha accepted the invitatin and went to his ouse. After lunch the Buddha preached to Yasa's mother and Yasa's former wife. Yasa had fifty-four friends. The also were present to see the Buddha and they saw Yasa as a monk. When they heard the preaching of Buddha they also told the Buddha that they wanted to become monks like Yasa himself. The Buddha agreed and made them monks. In this way within a short time there were sisty monks.
MEETING THE FIVE FRIENDS
Now the Buddha wanted to tell other peple how to become wise, good and do service to others. On the fiftieth day the Buddha thought "Now Asita, Alara and Uddaka are dead. I cannot tell them what i know. But my friends - Kondanna, Bhaddiya, Wappa, Mahanama and Assaji are in Benares. I must go there and preach to them."
then he set out to walk to Benares about a hundred miles to tell them what he had found. And wandering day after day from place to place, at last one evening. He came near the grove where those five ascetics were staying. this grove was called the "Deer park." They saw him coming towards them and one said to another, "look yonder! There is that ascetic Gotama coming here - a luxury-loving fellow who gave up fasting and fell back into a life of ease and comfort. Don't let us speak to him! Don't let us show him any respect! Let nobody go and offer to take his bowl or his extra robe from him. We'll just leave a mat there for him to sit on if he wants to, and if he doesn't want, He can stand. Who is going to attend on a good-for-nothing ascetic like him!" However, as the Buddha came nearer and nearer, they began to notice that somehow he was not the same as he used to be in the days when they had lived with him and studied under him. Now there was something about him, something noble and majestic such as they never had seen before. And almost in spite of themselves, before they well knew what they were doing, they had forgotten all they had just agreed on as to how they were going to receive him. And one was hastening forward to meet him, and respectfully taking his bowl and robe from him, another busily preparing a seat for him, while a third hurried off and brought him water to wash his feet. After he had taken the seat the Buddha spoke to them and said: "Listen, ascetics. I have found the way to deathlessness. Let me tell you. Let me teach you. And if you listen and learn and practise as i tell you, very soon you will know for yourselves not in some future life but here and now in this present lifetime that what i say is true. You will realise for yourselves the state that is beyound all living and death."
Naturally the five ascetics were very much astonished to hear their old master and teacher talking like this. They had seen him giving up his hard life of fasting; they had seen him stop from all efforts to find the truth, and here he was actually coming to them and telling them that he had found the truth! They simply did not belive him; and they told him so. "Why, friend Gotama," said they, "when we were living with you, you practised all sorts of stern bodily mortifications such as were practised by no other ascetic we ever heard of in the whole of India, and that was why we took you for our master and teacher. Yet with all you did, you never found it now when you are living a life of luxury, have ceased from striving, and have truned to live in ease and comfort?"
But the Buddha replied, :You are mistake, ascetics. I have not given up all efforts. I am not living a life of selfindulgence and idle comfort and ease. Listen to me. Ireally have attained supreme know ledge and insight. And i can teach it to you so that also may attain it and possess it for ypurselves." When the five monks were willing to listen to him, he delivered his first sermon to these five ascetics. Here in this sermon, Buddha advised his followers to avoid two extremes such as self-indulgence and self-torture and to practise his teaching. He also advised them to understand the four Noble truths and to practise the Noble Path, or to lead a Buddhist way of life.
then he set out to walk to Benares about a hundred miles to tell them what he had found. And wandering day after day from place to place, at last one evening. He came near the grove where those five ascetics were staying. this grove was called the "Deer park." They saw him coming towards them and one said to another, "look yonder! There is that ascetic Gotama coming here - a luxury-loving fellow who gave up fasting and fell back into a life of ease and comfort. Don't let us speak to him! Don't let us show him any respect! Let nobody go and offer to take his bowl or his extra robe from him. We'll just leave a mat there for him to sit on if he wants to, and if he doesn't want, He can stand. Who is going to attend on a good-for-nothing ascetic like him!" However, as the Buddha came nearer and nearer, they began to notice that somehow he was not the same as he used to be in the days when they had lived with him and studied under him. Now there was something about him, something noble and majestic such as they never had seen before. And almost in spite of themselves, before they well knew what they were doing, they had forgotten all they had just agreed on as to how they were going to receive him. And one was hastening forward to meet him, and respectfully taking his bowl and robe from him, another busily preparing a seat for him, while a third hurried off and brought him water to wash his feet. After he had taken the seat the Buddha spoke to them and said: "Listen, ascetics. I have found the way to deathlessness. Let me tell you. Let me teach you. And if you listen and learn and practise as i tell you, very soon you will know for yourselves not in some future life but here and now in this present lifetime that what i say is true. You will realise for yourselves the state that is beyound all living and death."
Naturally the five ascetics were very much astonished to hear their old master and teacher talking like this. They had seen him giving up his hard life of fasting; they had seen him stop from all efforts to find the truth, and here he was actually coming to them and telling them that he had found the truth! They simply did not belive him; and they told him so. "Why, friend Gotama," said they, "when we were living with you, you practised all sorts of stern bodily mortifications such as were practised by no other ascetic we ever heard of in the whole of India, and that was why we took you for our master and teacher. Yet with all you did, you never found it now when you are living a life of luxury, have ceased from striving, and have truned to live in ease and comfort?"
But the Buddha replied, :You are mistake, ascetics. I have not given up all efforts. I am not living a life of selfindulgence and idle comfort and ease. Listen to me. Ireally have attained supreme know ledge and insight. And i can teach it to you so that also may attain it and possess it for ypurselves." When the five monks were willing to listen to him, he delivered his first sermon to these five ascetics. Here in this sermon, Buddha advised his followers to avoid two extremes such as self-indulgence and self-torture and to practise his teaching. He also advised them to understand the four Noble truths and to practise the Noble Path, or to lead a Buddhist way of life.
Friday, May 14, 2010
SEVEN WEEKS AFTER THE ENLIGHTEMENT
1. UNDER THE BODHI TREE:
During the whole of the 1st week, the Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree enjoying the happiness of freedom or the joy of everlasting peace. He was then free from disturbing thoughts.
2. GAZING AT THE TREE:
During the second week, as a great deed of thankfulness or gratitude to the Bodhi tree which sheltered Him during His struggle for Buddhahood, He stood a few feet from the Bodhi tree gazing or looking at the tree without moving His eyes for the whole week. He was meditating on the Bodhi tree. Following this noble example all budhists still pay respect or homage to, not only the original Bodhi tree, but also its descendants.
3. GOLDEN BRIDE:
He again mediatated during the third week. Lord Buddha saw through His mind's eye and knew that the Devas in the heavens were not sure whether he had attained Enlightenment completely as He continued to stay there. then to prove His Enlightenment to them the Buddha created a golden bridge in the air and walked up and down for the whole week.
4. JEWELLED CHAMBER:
In the fourth week, He created a beautiful jewelled chamber and siting inside it meditated on the Higher teaching, or ABIDHAMMA. His mind and body were so purified that six coloured rays came out of his body. They were blue, yellow, red, white, orange and mixture of these five. Today these six coloureds from the Buddhist flag. In fact that week onwards all the six colours were round his whole body. Each colour represented one noble quanlity of Buddha. Yellow for Holiness, white for purity, blue for confidence, red for wisdom. orange for desirelessness and the mixed colour represented all these very noble qualities and we too, if we develop our minds and bodies to a high degree of purity, can gain these colours.
5. THREE GIRLS
During this week, the fifth week, while he was enjoying the joys of freedom siting under the famous Ajapala Banyan Tree near the Bodhi tree, three most beautiful and charming girls called Tanha, Rati and Raga came to disturd his medittion by dancing in the most seducive and charming manner. They did everything to tenpt lord Buddha to watch their dance. He just shut his eyes and continued his meditation and many hours later they felt so tired that they left him in peace.
6. MUCALINDA (TREE)
He went and meditated at the foot of another tree called the Mucalinda tree. As it was raining very heavily a huge king cobra came and coiled his body seven times round the Buddha's body, but kept his hood over the Buddha's head so that the Buddha was protected from getting wet by the heavy rain. When the rain stopped, the snake became a young man and paid his respect to Lord Buddha. This snake was supposed to be a supernatural being. Then the Buddha said:
"Happy is he who is contented Happiness is for him who has heard the truth and for him who sees the truth. Happy is he who has goodwill in this world towards beings. Happy is who lives in this word wit non-attachment, passing beyond sense-desires. The disappearance of the "I am conceit is indeed the highest happiness."
7. RAJAYATANA TREE
During the seventh week He was meditating under a tree called the Rajayatana tree. On the 50th morning, after His long fast for seven weeks, two merchants came to his presence. They were called Tapussa and Bhallika. In fact, they were going in a different direction to another city. Tappussa and Bhallika offered the Buddha rice-cakes and honey. The two merchants, by taking the two Refuges - in the Buddha and the Dhamma, became the first lay followers of the Buddha. There was no Sangha or Order of Monks then. They requested the Buddha for something sacred to keep with them. The Buddha wiped his head with his right hand and got some hair and gave these to them. This hair was called Kesa Datu (Hair Relics). With this sacred hair Relics, Tapassu and Bhallika left the place. Later when they reaced their hometown they built pagodas and enshriend these sacred hair Relics in them.
After his meal, the Buddha began to contemplate. He was reluctant to teach his Dhamma to the people. He thought people would not be able to understand his noble and deep teaching for they were very ignorant. They Brahma Sahampati - Lord of the Three World's (human, Deva and Brahma world's) came and requested him to preach the Dhamma to all. The Buddha compassionately accepted this invitation to expound the Dhamma.
During the whole of the 1st week, the Buddha sat under the Bodhi tree enjoying the happiness of freedom or the joy of everlasting peace. He was then free from disturbing thoughts.
2. GAZING AT THE TREE:
During the second week, as a great deed of thankfulness or gratitude to the Bodhi tree which sheltered Him during His struggle for Buddhahood, He stood a few feet from the Bodhi tree gazing or looking at the tree without moving His eyes for the whole week. He was meditating on the Bodhi tree. Following this noble example all budhists still pay respect or homage to, not only the original Bodhi tree, but also its descendants.
3. GOLDEN BRIDE:
He again mediatated during the third week. Lord Buddha saw through His mind's eye and knew that the Devas in the heavens were not sure whether he had attained Enlightenment completely as He continued to stay there. then to prove His Enlightenment to them the Buddha created a golden bridge in the air and walked up and down for the whole week.
4. JEWELLED CHAMBER:
In the fourth week, He created a beautiful jewelled chamber and siting inside it meditated on the Higher teaching, or ABIDHAMMA. His mind and body were so purified that six coloured rays came out of his body. They were blue, yellow, red, white, orange and mixture of these five. Today these six coloureds from the Buddhist flag. In fact that week onwards all the six colours were round his whole body. Each colour represented one noble quanlity of Buddha. Yellow for Holiness, white for purity, blue for confidence, red for wisdom. orange for desirelessness and the mixed colour represented all these very noble qualities and we too, if we develop our minds and bodies to a high degree of purity, can gain these colours.
5. THREE GIRLS
During this week, the fifth week, while he was enjoying the joys of freedom siting under the famous Ajapala Banyan Tree near the Bodhi tree, three most beautiful and charming girls called Tanha, Rati and Raga came to disturd his medittion by dancing in the most seducive and charming manner. They did everything to tenpt lord Buddha to watch their dance. He just shut his eyes and continued his meditation and many hours later they felt so tired that they left him in peace.
6. MUCALINDA (TREE)
He went and meditated at the foot of another tree called the Mucalinda tree. As it was raining very heavily a huge king cobra came and coiled his body seven times round the Buddha's body, but kept his hood over the Buddha's head so that the Buddha was protected from getting wet by the heavy rain. When the rain stopped, the snake became a young man and paid his respect to Lord Buddha. This snake was supposed to be a supernatural being. Then the Buddha said:
"Happy is he who is contented Happiness is for him who has heard the truth and for him who sees the truth. Happy is he who has goodwill in this world towards beings. Happy is who lives in this word wit non-attachment, passing beyond sense-desires. The disappearance of the "I am conceit is indeed the highest happiness."
7. RAJAYATANA TREE
During the seventh week He was meditating under a tree called the Rajayatana tree. On the 50th morning, after His long fast for seven weeks, two merchants came to his presence. They were called Tapussa and Bhallika. In fact, they were going in a different direction to another city. Tappussa and Bhallika offered the Buddha rice-cakes and honey. The two merchants, by taking the two Refuges - in the Buddha and the Dhamma, became the first lay followers of the Buddha. There was no Sangha or Order of Monks then. They requested the Buddha for something sacred to keep with them. The Buddha wiped his head with his right hand and got some hair and gave these to them. This hair was called Kesa Datu (Hair Relics). With this sacred hair Relics, Tapassu and Bhallika left the place. Later when they reaced their hometown they built pagodas and enshriend these sacred hair Relics in them.
After his meal, the Buddha began to contemplate. He was reluctant to teach his Dhamma to the people. He thought people would not be able to understand his noble and deep teaching for they were very ignorant. They Brahma Sahampati - Lord of the Three World's (human, Deva and Brahma world's) came and requested him to preach the Dhamma to all. The Buddha compassionately accepted this invitation to expound the Dhamma.
ENLIGHTENMENT - BUDDHAHOOD
In the evening after Sujata's lovely meal he went to Gaya and looked for a suitable place to sit down and meditate. He sat under a tree called the Bodhi tree with his face to the East and made an earnest wish with very strong determination that "Though my skin, my with not leave this seat until i have attained the highest wisdom called supreme Enlightement that leads to Everlasting Happiness." So he practised the concentration (deep thinking) of breathing in and breathing out on this Wesak Full Moon eve. During this period of concentration on the breathing in and breathing out many evil thoughts began to come to his mind - desire for wordly things, dislike for a holy pure and good life. hunger and thirst, feeling of great thirst and hunger; craving - the intense desire or liking, longing for all things, laziness and idleness; fear of things like devils, evil spirits, doubt, stupidity, stubbornness, wish to have everything for oneself; wish to be praised and honoured and to do things for fame; thinking very highly about oneself and looking down upon others. These thoughts began to disturb his concentration; but he was more firm than ever. He became more calm and brave and continued his concentration. At last he destroyed all these toughts during the earlier part of te night and got the power of his own past lives.
In the second part of the night he got the power of seeing the death of living beings and their rebirth and in the third part of the night - in the following norning - he got the power of understanding the cause of all evil and how to get rid of them. Thus he became the wisest person in the world who could answer all the questions that everybody put to him. All the answers to the questions lodged in his mind for so many years were then found. He knew how to end sorrow, unhappiness, suffering, old age and death. He also found out the real peace, happiness and freedom. He knew everything more than Man could ever know and he became perfect.
In the second part of the night he got the power of seeing the death of living beings and their rebirth and in the third part of the night - in the following norning - he got the power of understanding the cause of all evil and how to get rid of them. Thus he became the wisest person in the world who could answer all the questions that everybody put to him. All the answers to the questions lodged in his mind for so many years were then found. He knew how to end sorrow, unhappiness, suffering, old age and death. He also found out the real peace, happiness and freedom. He knew everything more than Man could ever know and he became perfect.
SUJATA GAVE HIM MILK-RICE
In a village called Senani there lived a young, very beautiful and rich girl who wanted to marry and have a son. She waited for many years and she was not successful. The people told her that she must go to a Banyan tree near Neranjara river and ask the tree-god to give her a husband and a lovely son. People at that time belived and prayed to tree and images for halp. She did as told by the people. Later on she got married to a young man and they had a lovely son. She was extremely happy and decided to fulfil her vow to that tree-god for giving her all that she had asked for. So on the day she wanted to fulfil the vow she sent her servant to the tree to clean the foot of the Banyan tree. This young and beautiful lady's name was Sujata. She had a thousand cows and she fed them with sweet creepers called Valmee so that the cows milk was sweet. Then she milked the thousand cows and fed that milk to five hundred cows and their milk to two hundred and fifty cows and so on until she fed only eight cows. She did this to get the sweetest and most nourishing milk to make the delicious milk-rice for the tree-god. She then cooked the rice in this milk. Suddenly she was suprised to see her servent running and coming to her very happy and excited and said: "O! my lady Sujata, the Banyan tree-god himself has come down from the tree for your food. He is seated under the tree meditating. how lucky you must be to have the god in person to accept your food." Sujata too was very happy and excited. She danced with joy with the servant. They then took even more pains to prepare the milk-rice.
Taking with them the delicious milk-rice both of them went towards the Banyan tree. Sujata was so suprised and excited to see her tree-god himself - who was so handsome-loking so serene, siting and meditating. She was so handsome-looking so serene, siting and meditating. She did not know that he was in fact Ascetic Gotama. While she was putting the delicious milk-rice in his bowl she said, "May you be successful in obtaining your wishes as i have been." Ascetic Gotama ate the food and then with the empty bowl in his hand, crossed the river Neranjara on the way to Gaya.
Taking with them the delicious milk-rice both of them went towards the Banyan tree. Sujata was so suprised and excited to see her tree-god himself - who was so handsome-loking so serene, siting and meditating. She was so handsome-looking so serene, siting and meditating. She did not know that he was in fact Ascetic Gotama. While she was putting the delicious milk-rice in his bowl she said, "May you be successful in obtaining your wishes as i have been." Ascetic Gotama ate the food and then with the empty bowl in his hand, crossed the river Neranjara on the way to Gaya.
ALARA AND UDDAKA
When prince siddhartha left his palace and a life of luxury, five of his friends who heard this, left their homes to become monks like him.One of them was Kondanna, the young wise man. In fact he was the cleverest of the lot. The other wise men were Bhaddiya, Mahanama and Assaji. They, too, were wearing orange coloured robes and went from place to place begging for food. At that time in India there were many religious teachers. The best and well known one was Alara Kalama. Ascetic Gotama went with his five friends to study under him. He stayed and learnt all that Alara could teach him very faithfully and obediently. He was the most hard working pupil and his master liked him very much as he was very clever too. Finally he could not teach him any more and he said: "You are the same as i am now. There is no difference between us. Stay here and take my place and teach my pupils with me." Ascetic Gotama was surprised and asked, "You cannot teach me more? Can you teach me the way to stop death, sickness and old age?" "No," said Alara. "I cannot, I donot know that myself. So how can i teach you that. There is none in the world who knows this." Ascetic Gotama left him with his band of five friends. They wandered all over the country practising what they had learnt. At last they heard of another great teacher who was famous for his cleverness. He was called Uddaka. They went and learnt from him for sometime. Here too Ascetic Gotama learnt very obediently and became his best pupil.Uddaka too, could not teach him how to stop suffering, old age and death and he too, had never heard of anyone who could solve these problems. Once again Ascetic Gotama was very disappointed and left Uddaka with his five friends and made up his mind to struggle by himself very hard until he found the cause of all the sufferings of life.
KING BIMBISARA'S OFFER
From the Anoma river, dressed as a begger, the young prince wandered from palace to palace. Sometime later he came to Rajagaha city, where king Bimbisara lived. Here with his begging bowl in his hands Siddhartha walked round the streets of this city begging for food from door to door like any other religious monk. Now he did not have a house to go to nor a friend to talk to nor food to eat. Therefore he ate whatever food was given to him by the people. People began to call him 'Sage' Some called him 'Ascetic' and some called him 'Ascetic gotama', but nobody called him 'prince Siddhartha' any more. He was handsome, young, very healthy, very clean and neat. He spoke very kindly and gently. He did not ask people to give him anything. But people were very happy and pleased to put some food into his bowl.
Some people went and told the king "Your majesty, there is a young man. Some people call him 'Ascetic Gotama'. He is very clean, neat, kind, polite and not like a beggar." When king Bimbisara heard the name 'Gotama' at once he knew that this prince was the sone of King Suddhodana, his friend. He went up to him and asked him, "Why do you do this? Have you quarrelled with your father? Why do you go about like this? Stay here and i shall give you half of my kingdom."
"Thank you very much, Sir, Iloved my parents, my wife, my son, you and everbody. I want to find out a way to stop old age, sickness, worries and death. Therefore i am going thus," said Ascetic Gotama and off he went.
Some people went and told the king "Your majesty, there is a young man. Some people call him 'Ascetic Gotama'. He is very clean, neat, kind, polite and not like a beggar." When king Bimbisara heard the name 'Gotama' at once he knew that this prince was the sone of King Suddhodana, his friend. He went up to him and asked him, "Why do you do this? Have you quarrelled with your father? Why do you go about like this? Stay here and i shall give you half of my kingdom."
"Thank you very much, Sir, Iloved my parents, my wife, my son, you and everbody. I want to find out a way to stop old age, sickness, worries and death. Therefore i am going thus," said Ascetic Gotama and off he went.
LEAVING HOME
The king arranged a grand dinner and dance for the prince to celebrate the birth of his grandson. He invited the best dancers and singers in the country for this. He did this because he saw that the prince was unhappy although he just had a son and the king knew that the prince was going to leave the palace for good. So for the last time at least he must do his best to stop this from happening. During the dinner the most delicious food was served. The most enchanting, and beautiful dancing girls in the country danced before him. The prince attended the party just to please his father. In fact he was tired and was thinking of how he could stop old age, sickness, unhappiness, and death. He was so tired of thinking that he soon fell asleep.
When the singers and the dancers saw that they were dancing and singing to a sleeping prince, they stoped and rested for a while until the prince woke up again. Like the prince they were too tired and soon fell asleep. Sometime later that night the prince got up and was so shocked and unhappy to see these people. What a sight! - all the prcttiest, most charming dancing girls and singers in the country, who, an hour ago, were trying to make the prince so happy, were now all over the floor of the room - on chairs, satees and beds in the most ugly, shameful and loathsome positions. Some girls were snoring like pigs, with their mouths wide open, some grinding and chewing their teeth like hungry devils. So ugly and dirty did they look now that this made the prince even more disgusted and very unhappy. He got up quietly from the room as he did not want to wake any of the dancing girls and called his faithful servant Channa, to saddle his farourite white horse, Kanthaka to go out on a long journey. As Channa was getting ready his horse he went quitly to see his new born son for the first time in his life. His wife was sleeping with the baby beside her and her hand cover the baby's face. He could not see the baby's face even. He knew that if he moved his wife's hand to see his son's face, he might wake her up and she definitely would not allow him to leave the palace. He said to himself, "If i try by moving her hand to see my son's face, i fear, Imay wake her. No! Imust go without seeing my son's facr this time, but when i have found what i m going forth to seek, I shall come back and see him and his mother again."
then quitly he went out of the palace at midnght on his white horse Kanthaka with Channa, his faithful servant, holding on to its tail. He came to the city's gate and nobody stopped him and he rode away from all who knew, respected and loved him so much. He took a last look at Kapilavatthu - sleeping so quietly in the moonlight. He was going away to find out a way to stop old age, sickness, and death. He rode to the bank of the river Anoma. He got down, removed all his jewellery and princely clothes and gave them to Channa asking him to return them to the king. Then he took his sword and cut his long hair. He put on orange coloured clothes, took a begging bowl and asked Channa to go back. "it is no use living in the palace," said Channa very sadly, "without you, my master. I want to folloe you."
"Don't do that, Channa," said the prince, "take these clothes and jewellery to my father and tell him, my mother and wife not to worry. I am going away to find out a way to stop old age, sickness and death." As soon as i have found it, I will return to the palace to teach it to my father, mother, wife, son and everybody in the world. Then all them can be very happy." Channa started to go but the horse refused to go. The prince talked to the horse very kindly, patted it and said, "please, Kanthaka, go with my friend. Don't wait for me."
When the singers and the dancers saw that they were dancing and singing to a sleeping prince, they stoped and rested for a while until the prince woke up again. Like the prince they were too tired and soon fell asleep. Sometime later that night the prince got up and was so shocked and unhappy to see these people. What a sight! - all the prcttiest, most charming dancing girls and singers in the country, who, an hour ago, were trying to make the prince so happy, were now all over the floor of the room - on chairs, satees and beds in the most ugly, shameful and loathsome positions. Some girls were snoring like pigs, with their mouths wide open, some grinding and chewing their teeth like hungry devils. So ugly and dirty did they look now that this made the prince even more disgusted and very unhappy. He got up quietly from the room as he did not want to wake any of the dancing girls and called his faithful servant Channa, to saddle his farourite white horse, Kanthaka to go out on a long journey. As Channa was getting ready his horse he went quitly to see his new born son for the first time in his life. His wife was sleeping with the baby beside her and her hand cover the baby's face. He could not see the baby's face even. He knew that if he moved his wife's hand to see his son's face, he might wake her up and she definitely would not allow him to leave the palace. He said to himself, "If i try by moving her hand to see my son's face, i fear, Imay wake her. No! Imust go without seeing my son's facr this time, but when i have found what i m going forth to seek, I shall come back and see him and his mother again."
then quitly he went out of the palace at midnght on his white horse Kanthaka with Channa, his faithful servant, holding on to its tail. He came to the city's gate and nobody stopped him and he rode away from all who knew, respected and loved him so much. He took a last look at Kapilavatthu - sleeping so quietly in the moonlight. He was going away to find out a way to stop old age, sickness, and death. He rode to the bank of the river Anoma. He got down, removed all his jewellery and princely clothes and gave them to Channa asking him to return them to the king. Then he took his sword and cut his long hair. He put on orange coloured clothes, took a begging bowl and asked Channa to go back. "it is no use living in the palace," said Channa very sadly, "without you, my master. I want to folloe you."
"Don't do that, Channa," said the prince, "take these clothes and jewellery to my father and tell him, my mother and wife not to worry. I am going away to find out a way to stop old age, sickness and death." As soon as i have found it, I will return to the palace to teach it to my father, mother, wife, son and everybody in the world. Then all them can be very happy." Channa started to go but the horse refused to go. The prince talked to the horse very kindly, patted it and said, "please, Kanthaka, go with my friend. Don't wait for me."
A MONK
When he visited the city for the fourth time, in a garden the prince saw a happy man wearing an orange coloured robe. Then he asked Channa. "Who is this man wearing an orange coloured dress? His hair is all shaved off. Why does he look so happy? How does he live and what does he do for a living?"
"That is a monk," said Vhanna. "He lives in a temple, goes from house to house for his food and goes from place to place telling people how to be happy and how to be good." The prince was very happy now. He though: "I must become one like that," and then he walked through the garden very happily. He walked until he was tired. Then he sat down under a tree to rest. As he was sitting under a cool shady tree, news came that his wife had given birth to a fine baby boy. As soon as he heard the news he said, "Rahula has been born to me, an obstacle has been born to me." and his son's name become "Rahula". As he was returning to the palace from the garden he passed the room of one of one the Princesses called Kisagotami. She was looking out of the window and saw the prince coming. She was so taken in by the young handsome prince that she said loudly: "O! How happy, and how cool must be the mother, and the father, and the wife of such a handsome young prince!"
As he passed this woman, he heard this and thought to himself that everybody would be happier if they knew what real and selfish happiness were.
"That is a monk," said Vhanna. "He lives in a temple, goes from house to house for his food and goes from place to place telling people how to be happy and how to be good." The prince was very happy now. He though: "I must become one like that," and then he walked through the garden very happily. He walked until he was tired. Then he sat down under a tree to rest. As he was sitting under a cool shady tree, news came that his wife had given birth to a fine baby boy. As soon as he heard the news he said, "Rahula has been born to me, an obstacle has been born to me." and his son's name become "Rahula". As he was returning to the palace from the garden he passed the room of one of one the Princesses called Kisagotami. She was looking out of the window and saw the prince coming. She was so taken in by the young handsome prince that she said loudly: "O! How happy, and how cool must be the mother, and the father, and the wife of such a handsome young prince!"
As he passed this woman, he heard this and thought to himself that everybody would be happier if they knew what real and selfish happiness were.
Monday, May 10, 2010
VISAKHA
The greatest female supporter of Buddha
Visakha was the devout and generous daughter of a millionaire. When she was only seven years old, the Buddha visited her birth place. Her grandfather, hearing of the Buddha’s visit, advised her to go out and welcome the Buddha. Though she was so young, she was religious and virtuous. As such, immediately after hearing the Dhamma from the Buddha, she attained the first stage of sainthood.
When she was fifteen years old, some Brahmins who saw her, thought she would be an ideal wife for their master Punnavaddhana, the son of a millionaire named Migara. Visakha possessed the five kinds of feminine beauty – beautiful hair, a beautiful figure, beautiful bone structure, beautiful skin which was smooth and golden in colour, and youthfulness. Accordingly, they made arrangements for Visakha to be married to Punnavaddhana.
One her wedding day, her wise father gave her some advice under ten headings as follows:
1. A wife should not criticize her husband and parents-in-law in front of other people. Neither should their weaknesses nor household quarrels be reported elsewhere.
2. A wife should not listen to the stories or reports of other households.
3. Things should be lent to those who do return them.
4. Things should not be lent to those who do not return them.
5. Poor relatives and friends should be helped even if they do not repay.
6. A wife should sit gracefully. On seeing her parents-in-law or her husband, she should respect them by rising from her seat.
7. Before taking her food, a wife should first see that her parents-in-law and husband are served. She should also make sure that her servants are well cared for.
8. Before going to sleep, a wife should see that all doors are closed, furniture is safe, servants have performed their duties, and that parents-in-law have retired. As a rule a wife should rise early in the morning and unless she is sick, she should not sleep during the day.
9. Parents-in-law and husband should be treated very carefully like fire.
10. Parents-in-law and husband should be given the respect due to Devas.
From the day Visakha arrived in savathi, the city of her husband, she was kind and generous to everyone in the city and everyone loved her. One day, her father-in-law was eating some sweet rice porridge from a golden bowl when a Bhikkhu entered the house for alms. Although her father-in-law saw the Bhikkhu, he continued to eat as if he had not seen the Bhikkhu. Visakha politely told the Bhikkhu, “pass on, venerable sir, my father-in-law is eating stale food.” For a long time Visakha’s father-in-law had been unhappy at her because she was a devout follower and supporter of the Buddha while he was not. He was looking for a chance to break off the marriage between his son and Visakha, but her conduct was faultless. Now he had got his chance. Misunderstanding Visakha’s words, he thought she had brought disgrace to his family.
He ordered Visakha to be expelled from the house, but she reminded him her father’s request to eight clansmen. Her father told them, “if there be any fault in my daughter, investigate it.” The millionaire agreed to her request and summoned those eight clansmen to come and investigate whether Visakha was guilty of rudeness. When they arrived he told them, “Find her guilty of this fault and expel her from the house.”
Visakha proved her innocence by explaining, “Sirs, when my father-in-law ignored the Bhikkhu and continued to eat his milk rice-porridge he was not accruing merit in his present life. He was only enjoying the merits of his past actions. Was these not like eating stale food?” her father-in-law had to admit that she was not guilty of being rude. There were other misunderstanding after this, but Visakha was able to explain to his satisfaction. After this, her father-in-law had realized his error and the great wisdom of Visakha. At her suggestion, he invited the Buddha to their house to give a sermon. On hearing the sermon, he became a Sotapanna.
With wisdom and patience, she succeeded in converting her husband’s household to a happy Buddhist home. Visakha was also very generous and helpful to the monks. She built the pubbarna monastery at a great cost for the use of monks. Great was her joy when the Buddha spent six rainy seasons there. In one of the discourses that the Buddha delivered to Visakha, he spoke of the eight qualities in a woman that tend to her welfare and happiness in this world and the next: “herein, Visakha, a woman does her work well, she manages the servants, she respects her husband, and she guards his wealth. Herein, Visakha, a woman has confidence (Saddha) in the Buddha, Dhamma and sangha, virtue (Sila), charity (caga), and wisdom (Panna).”
Being a lady who had many talents, she played an important role in various activities amongst the Buddha and his followers. At times, she was given the authority by the Buddha to settle disputes that arose amongst the Bhikkhunis (nuns). Some Vinaya rules of discipline were also laid down for the Bhikkhunis when she was called in to settle their disputes. She died at the age of one hundred and twenty.e
Visakha was the devout and generous daughter of a millionaire. When she was only seven years old, the Buddha visited her birth place. Her grandfather, hearing of the Buddha’s visit, advised her to go out and welcome the Buddha. Though she was so young, she was religious and virtuous. As such, immediately after hearing the Dhamma from the Buddha, she attained the first stage of sainthood.
When she was fifteen years old, some Brahmins who saw her, thought she would be an ideal wife for their master Punnavaddhana, the son of a millionaire named Migara. Visakha possessed the five kinds of feminine beauty – beautiful hair, a beautiful figure, beautiful bone structure, beautiful skin which was smooth and golden in colour, and youthfulness. Accordingly, they made arrangements for Visakha to be married to Punnavaddhana.
One her wedding day, her wise father gave her some advice under ten headings as follows:
1. A wife should not criticize her husband and parents-in-law in front of other people. Neither should their weaknesses nor household quarrels be reported elsewhere.
2. A wife should not listen to the stories or reports of other households.
3. Things should be lent to those who do return them.
4. Things should not be lent to those who do not return them.
5. Poor relatives and friends should be helped even if they do not repay.
6. A wife should sit gracefully. On seeing her parents-in-law or her husband, she should respect them by rising from her seat.
7. Before taking her food, a wife should first see that her parents-in-law and husband are served. She should also make sure that her servants are well cared for.
8. Before going to sleep, a wife should see that all doors are closed, furniture is safe, servants have performed their duties, and that parents-in-law have retired. As a rule a wife should rise early in the morning and unless she is sick, she should not sleep during the day.
9. Parents-in-law and husband should be treated very carefully like fire.
10. Parents-in-law and husband should be given the respect due to Devas.
From the day Visakha arrived in savathi, the city of her husband, she was kind and generous to everyone in the city and everyone loved her. One day, her father-in-law was eating some sweet rice porridge from a golden bowl when a Bhikkhu entered the house for alms. Although her father-in-law saw the Bhikkhu, he continued to eat as if he had not seen the Bhikkhu. Visakha politely told the Bhikkhu, “pass on, venerable sir, my father-in-law is eating stale food.” For a long time Visakha’s father-in-law had been unhappy at her because she was a devout follower and supporter of the Buddha while he was not. He was looking for a chance to break off the marriage between his son and Visakha, but her conduct was faultless. Now he had got his chance. Misunderstanding Visakha’s words, he thought she had brought disgrace to his family.
He ordered Visakha to be expelled from the house, but she reminded him her father’s request to eight clansmen. Her father told them, “if there be any fault in my daughter, investigate it.” The millionaire agreed to her request and summoned those eight clansmen to come and investigate whether Visakha was guilty of rudeness. When they arrived he told them, “Find her guilty of this fault and expel her from the house.”
Visakha proved her innocence by explaining, “Sirs, when my father-in-law ignored the Bhikkhu and continued to eat his milk rice-porridge he was not accruing merit in his present life. He was only enjoying the merits of his past actions. Was these not like eating stale food?” her father-in-law had to admit that she was not guilty of being rude. There were other misunderstanding after this, but Visakha was able to explain to his satisfaction. After this, her father-in-law had realized his error and the great wisdom of Visakha. At her suggestion, he invited the Buddha to their house to give a sermon. On hearing the sermon, he became a Sotapanna.
With wisdom and patience, she succeeded in converting her husband’s household to a happy Buddhist home. Visakha was also very generous and helpful to the monks. She built the pubbarna monastery at a great cost for the use of monks. Great was her joy when the Buddha spent six rainy seasons there. In one of the discourses that the Buddha delivered to Visakha, he spoke of the eight qualities in a woman that tend to her welfare and happiness in this world and the next: “herein, Visakha, a woman does her work well, she manages the servants, she respects her husband, and she guards his wealth. Herein, Visakha, a woman has confidence (Saddha) in the Buddha, Dhamma and sangha, virtue (Sila), charity (caga), and wisdom (Panna).”
Being a lady who had many talents, she played an important role in various activities amongst the Buddha and his followers. At times, she was given the authority by the Buddha to settle disputes that arose amongst the Bhikkhunis (nuns). Some Vinaya rules of discipline were also laid down for the Bhikkhunis when she was called in to settle their disputes. She died at the age of one hundred and twenty.e
THE BHUDDHA’S PAEAN OF JOY
The Buddha had withstood the worst attacks of Mara. Finally, the Evil One retreated and the angry storm which he had raised died away. Now the mind of the Blessed One relaxed into peace. The great darkness faded away and the full moon and stars reappeared again. The lord passed into deep meditation, passing beyond the limits of human understanding, seeing the world as it is and not as it appears to be. Like an eagle soaring effortlessly to the sun, His mind moved swiftly onward and upward. He saw his past lives and all his former births, with their good and evil deeds with their gains and losses. As His mind soared and death of all mankind. He saw beings born repeatedly and die according to their Kamma.
Those who did good deeds were rewarded with heavenly births. Though these rewards lasted longer than the joys of earth, they were impermanent. Those who were suffering in hells would also continue in the round of rebirth. All being are caught in the world of ignorance and suffering.
As His vision became ever clearer like crystal, he saw the so called soul of man which man claims as his own, broken up into parts and laid before him like the unwoven threads of a garment. He saw the cause of the chain of existence-Ignorance. For the ignorant man, clinging to things that are worthless, transient creates in himself more and more dangerous illusions. But when desire dies, illusion end, and ignorance vanishing like the night, the sun of Enlightenment would shine.
And having understood the world as it is, the Lord was perfected in wisdom, never to be born again. Craving and evil desire had been completely eradicated, as a fire goes out for lack of fuel. Bathed in the brilliant light of all wisdom and Truth sat the Buddha, the Perfect One. And about Him the world lay calm and bright and a soft breeze lifted the leaves of the Bodhi Tree. Filled with compassion, the lord sat beneath the Tree, in deep contemplation of the Dhamma. He was lost in bliss, in the perfect peace of Nibbana. At dawn after His Enlightenment, the Buddha uttered this paean of joy:
"Thro’ many a birth in Samsara wandered I Seeking, but not finding, the builder of this house. Sorrowful is repeated birth. O house-builder, thou art scene; Thou shalt build no house again. All thy rafters are broken, thy ridge pole is shattered. The mind attains the unconditioned. Achieved is the end of craving."
THE BUDDHA’S FIRST SERMON DHAMMACAKKAPPAVATTA SUTTA
The Buddha’s first sermon was called the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta which means the establishment of wisdom, or the Turning of the wheel of Truth. It was preached on the full moon day of July, called Asalha.This sermon was preached to the five ascetics at the Deer Park in Isipatana (now called Sarnath), near Benares. Many Devas and Brahmas were present to listen to the sermon.
This Buddha started the sermon by advising them to give up two extremes. These were the enjoyment of sensual pleasures and the tormenting of the body (self indulgence and self mortification).
He advised against too many sensual pleasures because they were base, worldly, not noble and not helpful for spiritual development. On the other hand, tormenting the body was painful, not noble and also not helpful for spiritual development. He advised them to follow the Middle path called majhima patipada which is helpful to see things clearly as they are, to gaining knowledge, higher wisdom, peace, enlightenment and Nibbana.
The Buddha then taught the four noble truths in his first sermon. They are the Noble Truths of Sorrow, its cause, its End and the way to its end. Everything in this world is full of sorrow and the cause of sorrow is craving. The end of sorrow is Nibbana, and the way to the end of sorrow is the Noble Eightfold Path. The Buddha said that He was Enlightened only after he understood these Four Noble Truths. The Noble Eightfold Path has eight parts or factors: Right Understanding, Right thoughts, Right speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, right Effort, Right mindfulness and Right concentration.
1. Right Understanding means to know and understand the Four Noble Truths.
2. Right thoughts means to think three kinds of thoughts:
a) Thoughts of renunciation or thoughts which do not have lustful desires.
b) Thoughts of goodwill to others which are opposed to ill will.
c) Thoughts of harmlessness as opposed to cruelty.
3. Right speech deals with refraining from falsehood such as telling lies or not telling the truth; slandering or saying bad about other people; harsh words and frivolous talks such as gossiping.
4. Right Action deals with refraining from killing, stealing and sexual misconduct.
5. Right Livelihood deals with the five kinds of trades which should be avoided in order to lead a noble life. They are trading in arms (weapons), living beings, flesh (breeding animals for slaughter), intoxicating drinks, and poison.
6. Right Effort has four parts:
a) To try to stop evil thoughts that have arisen
b) To prevent evil thoughts from arising
c) To try to develop unrisen good thoughts
d) To try to continue good thoughts that has arisen.
7. Right Mindfulness is also fourfold. It is mindfulness of sensations, mindfulness of thoughts passing through the mind and mindfulness of Dhamma.
8. Right concentration is the one-pointedness of the mind which stays on one object as opposed to the distracted mind which jumps from one thing to another.
The eight factors can be grouped into three smaller groups as follows:
Sila (morality): Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood
Samadhi (concentration) : Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration
Panna (wisdom): Right Understanding, Right Thoughts
Sila, samadi and Panna are the three stages on the path to mental purity whose object is Nibbana. These stages are described in a beautiful verse:
To cease from evil,
To do what is good To cleanse one’s mind: This is the advice of all the Buddha’s
DEVADATTA
The Buddha's greatest personal enemy
Devadatta was the son of King Suppabuddha and Pamita, an aunt of the Buddha. His sister was Yasodhara. He was thus a cousin and brother-in-law of Buddha. Together with Ananda and other Sakyan Princes, he entered the order of monks in the early part of the Buddha’s ministry. Unable to attain any stage of Sainthood, he worked hard for worldly psychic powers which he got.
In his early days, he was a good monk known for his grace and psychic powers. Later he became conceited with worldly gain and fame. As his ill-will and jealousy towards the Buddha increased, he became the greatest personal enemy of the Buddha.
One day in a large assembly which included kings and princes, Devadatta approached the Buddha and requested him to make him the leader of the sangha. Since he was not capable and worthy enough, the Buddha turned down his request. He became very angry as a result and vowed to take revenge on the Buddha.
Although Devadatta was an evil monk, he had many admirers and followers. One of his chief supporters was king Ajatasattu with whom he planned to kill king Bimbisara and the Buddha. Ajatasattu succeeded in killing his father, but Devadatta failed to kill the Buddha. His first attempt to kill the Buddha was to hire a man to kill the Blessed One. That man would be killed by two other men who would in turn be killed by four other men. Finally, the four men would be killed by eight other men. But when the first man came close to the Buddha, he became frightened. He put aside his weapons and took refuge in the Buddha. Eventually, all the men who were hired to kill one another became the disciples of the Buddha.
Then Devadatta himself tried to kill the Buddha. When the Buddha was walking on vultures’ Rock, Devadatta climbed to the peak and hurled a huge rock at the Buddha. On its way down, the rock struck another rock and a splinter flew and wounded the Buddha’s foot, causing blood to flow. The Buddha looked up and seeing Devadatta, he remarked with pity, "Foolish man, you have done many unwholesome deeds for harming the Buddha."
Devadatta’s third attempt to kill the Blessed One was to make the fierce man-killer elephant, Nalagiri, drunk with liquor. When Nalagiri saw the Buddha coming at a distance, it raised its ears, tail and trunk and charged at the Buddha. As the elephant came close, the Buddha radiated His loving-kindness (Metta) towards the elephant. So vast and deep was the Buddha’s love that as Nalagiri reached the Buddha, it stopped, became quiet and stood before the Master. The Buddha then stroked Nalagiri on its trunk and spoke softly to it. Respectfully, the elephant removed the dust at the Master’s feet with its trunk, and scattered the dust over its head. Then it retreated, with its head facing the Buddha, as far as stable, and remained fully tamed. Usually, others tame elephant with whips and weapons, but the Blessed One tamed the elephant with the power of Metta.
Still trying to be the leader of the Sangha, Devadatta tried yet another plan – a deceitful one. With the help of five hundred misled monks, he planned to split the Sangha community. He requested the Buddha to make it compulsory for monks to follow extra five rules:
a) Dwell all their lives in the forest
b) Live only on alms obtained by begging
c) Wear robes made from rags collected from the dust heaps and cemeteries
d) Live at the foot of trees
e) Refrain from eating fish or meat throughout their lives.
Devadatta made this request knowing full well that the Buddha would refuse them. Devadatta was happy that the Buddha did not approve of the five rules, and he used these issues to gain supporters and followers. Newly ordained monks who did not know the Dhamma well left the Buddha and accepted Devadatta as their leader. Eventually after venerable sariputta and venerable Moggallana had explained the Dhamma to them, they went back to the Buddha.
After this, evil days fell on Devadatta. He fell very ill at the failure of his plans, and before his death he sincerely regretted his actions and wanted to see the Buddha he died. But the fruits of his evil Kamma had begun to ripen and prevented him from doing so. He died on the way to see the Buddha, near the gate of Jetavana monastery. But before he died, he took refuge in the Buddha.
Although he has to suffer in a woeful state because of his terrible crimes, yet as a result of the Holy Life he led at the early part of his career, it is stated that he would become a Pacceka Buddha named Atthissara in the distant future. As a Pacceka Buddha he would be able to achieve Enlightenment by his own efforts.
King Bimbisara
The Buddha’s first royal patron
King Bimbisara had earlier offered half his kingdom to the ascetic Gautama which he turned down because he wanted to search for Enlightenment. King Bimbisara had asked him to return to Rajagaha to enlighten him should the ascetic find what he was looking for. When Gautama became the Buddha, The Enlightened One, he did not forget his promise to come back. Followed by a large number of his disciples, he decided to revisit Rajagaha. His fame as a religious teacher was spreading in the city and it eventually reached the ears of King Bimbisara.
On heating that the Buddha had arrived at the city’s gateway, the king went out with a large number of his subjects to welcome the Buddha and his disciples. He approached the Buddha and paid his respects, but some of his subjects did not know to whom they should pay respects: the Buddha or Venerable Kassapa. They wondered whether the Buddha was leading a Holy Life under Venerable Kassapa or the reverse as both were highly respected religious teachers.
The Buddha read their thoughts and asked Venerable Kassapa why he had given-up his fire-sacrifice. Understanding the motive behind the question Venerable Kassapa explained that he preferred the peaceful state of Nibbana to useless sensual pleasures. After this he fell at the feet of the Buddha and said, "My teacher, lord, is the Exalted One: I am the disciple."
The devout people were very glad to hear of conversion. The Buddha then preached the Dhamma, and Bimbisara attained the first stage of Sainthood. After realizing the doctrine, king Bimbisara addressed the Buddha, "Formerly, O Reverend Sir, when I was a prince, I had five wishes. They are now fulfilled. My first wish was to become king. My second wish was that a fully Enlightened One should visit my country. My third wish was that I should associate with such Enlightened One. my fourth wish was that He should preach to me the doctrine. Now all these wishes are fulfilled."
Out of gratitude for this spiritual gift from the Buddha, king Bimbisara gave a park with a quiet bamboo grove for the use of the Buddha and his disciples. This park was named the Bamboo Grove. The Buddha spent three successive rainy seasons there and three other rainy seasons later. After listening to the Dhamma, the king became a good and pious ruler but to his past bad Karma, he had to face an untimely and miserable death caused by his son’s wickedness.
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