The Illustrated History of Buddhism
(The Great Cronicles of Lord Buddha)
By Ashin Janaka Bhivamsa (Aggamahapandita)
Part Two
(17) Venerable Yasa And His Father Met The Buddha
Yasa was the first born son of Sujata who offered milk-porridge to the Great Being on the very day he was to become the Enlightened Buddha. He had been brought up in the greatest luxury as in the case of the Future Buddha, three separate mansions being provided for three different seasons, namely, the wet, cold and dry seasons. Waking up one night, he found his palace attendants, female musicians, asleep in unseemly conditions, and deeming the scene to be a cemetery, went out from his house and the city to the Deer Park of Isipatana that every night.
Yasa came into the presence of the Buddha and, after hearing the sermon from the Blessed One, was established in the first noble stage of the Ariyan Path. Yasa's father went in search of his son and came to the Buddha. The Buddha made Yasa invisible with his supernatural power and assuring him with these words, "You will find your son" preached a sermon to him. Yasa's father was also established in the first holy stage of the Aryan Path, while Yasa was established in the fourth holy stage of the Aryan Path. The Blessed One then discontinued the use of the supernatural power with the result that the father met the son, and ordained Yasa as a monk at his request.
(18) Bhadda-Vaggiya Brothers Went Searching For A Woman, And Were Converted By The Buddha
The Buddha went back from Benares to Uruvela, and on his way he entered a grove and sat under a tree. At that time, thirty Bhadda-vaggiya brothers, who were born of the same father as King Pasenadi of Kosala, were sporting with their wives in that grove. One of them had no wife and they had brought a courtesan for him, but while they were not noticing she had taken their bag of valuables and fled.
They came seeking her, and when they came near the Blessed One they inquired, "Did you not see a woman ?" "What do you think, young men," Buddha replied, "which is better for you, to go in search of a woman or to go in search of yourselves?" The brothers admitted, "It is better to go in search of oneself'. Buddha then told them to sit down and preaching to them the evils of sensual indulgence, converted and ordained them as monks of the Holy Order.
They came seeking her, and when they came near the Blessed One they inquired, "Did you not see a woman ?" "What do you think, young men," Buddha replied, "which is better for you, to go in search of a woman or to go in search of yourselves?" The brothers admitted, "It is better to go in search of oneself'. Buddha then told them to sit down and preaching to them the evils of sensual indulgence, converted and ordained them as monks of the Holy Order.
(19) Buddha Sending Out A Mission Of Sixty Arahants
After the Buddha had kept his retreat at the Deer Park at Isipatana during the first rainy season, there were fully sixty Arahants besides the Blessed One. He called them and said. "Released am I, O Bhikkhus, from fetters both human and divine. Ye also are free from fetters both human and divine. Go ye, now O Bhikkhus, and wander for the gain of the many, for the good of the many, for the gain and welfare of gods and men. Preach, O Bhikkhus, the doctrine which is glorious in the beginning, glorious in the middle, glorious at the end, in spirit and in letter. Proclaim the Holy Life altogether perfect and pure. There are beings with a little dust in their eyes, who, not hearing the Doctrine will fall away. There will be those who will understand the Doctrine". With this exhortation the Buddha despatched His first sixty disciples in various directions.
(20) The Buddha Taming The Dragon In The Fire-Shed With His Supernatural Power
After sending forth the Arahants to preach, the Blessed One went to Uruvela to convert a thousand hermits headed by the three Kassapa brothers known as Uruvela Kassapa, Nadi Kassapa and Gaya Kassapa. The Buddha tamed the King of the Dragons in a fire-shed by using a variety of his supernatural powers. The thousand hermits became monks and with this retinue, the Blessed One proceeded to Gayasisa. On arrival there he preached to them again and they all became arahants.
The Buddha went from there to Rajagaha accompanied by those monks and dwelt in the Toddy Palm Grove. King Bimbisara went there with a large following of 120,000 persons to pay his respects to the Buddha. As the ascetic Kassapa was held in high esteem by his people, he was at a loss to understand whether the Buddha was a disciple of Kassapa or the latter was a disciple of the former. The Venerable Kassapa knew this and placing his head upon the Buddha's feet acknowledged the Buddha's superiority, saying, "My teacher, Lord, is the Lord, I am the disciple" repeatedly.
(21) Conversion Of Sariputta And Moggallana
Sariputta and Moggallana were the two most distinguished of the Buddha's disciples and were well-known as his two chief disciples. Before they met the Blessed One they were leading the religious life under Sanjaya as wandering ascetics in search of truth. One day Sariputta saw the Venerable Assaji going round Pajagaha early in the morning for alms, with decorous walk and perfect deportment. He thought, "Surely this is one of the monks who are arahants, or who have entered on the path of arahantship", and followed in the wake of this monk.
When the Venerable Assaji had taken his meal, Sariputta drew near and spoke to him as follows:—"Who, brother, is your teacher and whose doctrine do you approve?" The Venerable Assaji replied, "The Blessed One, a great Sakayaputta monk, is my teacher. The Doctrine proclaimed by the Blessed One I approve. It shows suffering, cause of suffering, cessation of suffering and the path leading to the cessation of suffering". On hearing this exposition of the Doctrine, Sariputta was established in the first holy stage of the Ariyan Path. Then Sariputta went to tell his friend the good news and Moggallana was also established in the first holy stage of the Ariyan Path. Both of them with a large following of their disciples became monks under the Doctrine and Discipline of the Buddha.
(22) King Bimbisara Sending Forth Military Officers To Disturbed Areas
King Bimbisara, although he was established in the first holy stage of the Ariyan Path, had to depend chiefly upon his army for ruling his kingdom. At one time, there was an armed rising in the frontier areas and the people there had to run away elsewhere leaving their village, many of which were destroyed. This news made the King very sad and sorry for the people of those parts. He therefore summoned the best military officers and ordered them to go out to the disturbed areas with these words of command:—
"My officers, go ye to the areas where disturbances have taken place and people have fled from the village, and restore law and order and give people protection so that they can live safely in their villages and work their fields again under normal conditions". He gave orders not to kill the insurgents but to protect the inhabitants. The army sallied forth and, after stamping out the disturbances by peaceful means as commanded by the King, came back safely to the capital.
(23) The Buddha Visited Kapilavmthu At The Request Of Kaludayi Thera
Kaludayi also became an Arahant and entered the Order. He then requested the Buddha to visit the city of Kapilavatthu. The Buddha proceeded there with a following of twenty thousand Arahants covering a distance of 60 yojanas at the rate of one yojana a day. It took him fully two months to do the journey. Kaludayi Thera traveled by air everyday by superhuman power and kept the Buddha's father, Suddhodana, informed of the progress of the march. And on the day of the Buddha's arrival, a great welcome awaited Him.
(24) Twin Miracle Performed By The Buddha Before His Kinsmen And A Shower Of Rain Fell Wetting Only Those Who Wished To Be Wet
Members of the Sakya clan were very proud, and when the Buddha arrived at Kapilavatthu, they let only the younger kinsmen pay their respects to the Blessed One while the older folk sat down without making obeisance to Him. The Blessed One, who saw this behaviour, rose in the air and walked over the heads of the elders. He performed the miracle of the pairs, in which flames of fire came from the upper part of His body and streams of water from the lower part. Then the process was reversed. Next fire came out from the right side of His body and water from the left, and so on.
He thus showed his superhuman power and emitted six resplendent rays of light from his body, at which they marveled. Suddhodana himself was so deeply moved by the sight that he bowed his head and touched it with the feet of the Blessed One in salutation. At this, all the other members of the clan could not help paying homage to the Blessed One. The sky then became overcast with clouds and poured down a shower of rain by which only those who wished to be wet became wet and not others. They marveled at this miracle and showed greater respect towards the Buddha.
(25) Yasodhara Reverencing The Buddha By Placing Her Head Upon His Feet
The day after his arrival at Kapilavatthu the Buddha went on His alms round. King Suddhodana came and conducted Him to the palace and served Him with food. After the meal there was great excitement in the palace and all but Princess Yasodhara came to pay their reverence to the Buddha. Yasodhara thought, "Certainly if there is any virtue in me, the Noble Lord Himself will come to my presence. Then will I reverence Him as much as I like".
The Buddha saw that if He did not visit her, Yasodhara would break her heart with grief. So He handed His bowl to the King, and accompanied by His two chief disciples entered the chamber of Yasodhara and sat on the prepared seat, saying, "Let the King's daughter reverence as she likes". Swiftly she came, clasped His ankles, and placing her head on His feet, reverenced Him as she like.
(26) Rahula Following The Buddha And Asking For Inheritance
While the Buddha was having his meal at his father's palace. Princess Yasodhara dressed up Rahula properly with ornaments and pointing to the Buddha said, "Behold, son, that great ascetic of majestic appearance in the midst of twenty thousand monks. He is your father. The vases of gold belonging to Him have disappeared since the day he retired from home to homelessness. Go ye and ask for your inheritance so that you may become a Universal Monarch".
Young Rahula, emboldened by the love of a son towards his father, came to His presence and said, "O, father, your shadow is cool and pleasant. I wish to become a Universal Monarch. Please give me my inheritance". He asked for his inheritance, uttering much else that was becoming. He followed the Buddha when he went back to the monastery asking for inheritance. But the Blessed One made him owner of an inheritance transcending this world, by ordaining him as a samanera (novice) of the Holy Order.
(27) Ordination Of Six Princes Of The Sakya Clan
After the attainment of Supreme Buddhaship by the Great Being, Nanda and many other princes of the Sakya clan became monks under the discipline of the Blessed One. It therefore appeared to those households of the same clan, with two or three sons in each family, that they would be failing in their duty if none came forth to be ordained. The two brothers Mahanama and Anuruddha discussed this subject, and Anuruddha agreed to be ordained.
Bhaddiya, who was then a ruling monarch, happened to be an intimate friend of Anuruddha. Anuruddha therefore went to King Bhaddiya and persuaded him to become a monk along with him, and Bhaddiya agreed. Accordingly, seven of them including Ananda, Bhagu, Kimila, Devadatta and Upali, the barber, came to the Buddha. There they made their request that Upali be admitted first, in order that their Sakya pride might be humbled through having their former attendant as their senior. They were then ordained accordingly.
(28) The Buddha Welcoming The Person Who Had Retired From The World And Was To Become The Venerable Mahakassapa
Pippali was destined to become Venerable Mahakassapa who would protect the dispensation of the Dhamma after His death. He was in charge of 14 villages of workmen and a section of the fighting forces. He belonged to a very rich family worth several crores of money and together with his wife retired from home-life to lead a religious life. There was a mighty earth-quake at the place where Pippali parted with his wife on retirement from the world. The Buddha surveyed with His Buddha-eye and saw the cause of the earth-quake.
Immediately thereafter the Buddha went to the giant banyan tree about 3 gavutas away (about six miles) to welcome Pippali. He then sat at the foot of the tree causing the six resplendent rays of light lo issue forth from His body. Pippali, who later came to be known as Mahakassapa. saw the Blessed One and, coming to this decision: "He indeed is my master", placed his head upon the feet of the Blessed One and said, "Lord, I am your disciple". The Buddha often honoured him before the assembly of monks by treating him as a member of the Holy Order of a standing equal to Him.
(29) Venerable Ananda Reciting Ratana Sutta Paritta To Relieve The People Of Vesali From Attacks Of Famine And Pestilence
There was scarcity of rain at Vesali (modern Besrah) and many people died from the effects of famine which attacked it. The offensive smell from the corpses brought demons and ogres into the town and there were more deaths. To make matters worse, a disease very much like modern plague broke out, and there were still more deaths. The people discussed ways and means of relief from attacks of famine and disease. They eventually agreed to invite the Buddha for that purpose and requested the Blessed One to come over from Rajagaha together with his retinue of monks.
When the Blessed One arrived at Vesali in the royal barge there was a heavy downpour of rain which washed away all the corpses and the town had become clean. On arrival at the city gate the Venerable Ananda learnt the Ratana Sutta Paritta and recited it by walking round the city in between its three walls, and sprinkling the holy water from his bowl now and again while going round the city with the Licchavi Princes accompanying him. Thus, all the evil spirits were driven away from the city which was rendered free from diseases.
(30) Mahapajapati Gotami Begging Permission For Women To Be Admitted Into The Order As Nuns
The Buddha was dwelling at Kapilavatthu in Banyan Park Monastery. Maha-pajapati Gotami approached the Buddha along with five hundred women of the Sakya clan, and begged permission for women to be admitted into the Order as Nuns. The Buddha refused permission saying, 'Enough, O Gotami, do not ask that women be admitted into the Order as Nuns". She went away sorrowful and sad.
Later, when the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesali, Mahapajapati Gotami had her hair cut off, put on yellow garments and with five hundred of Sakya women followed to Vaseli. She dared not enter the monastery grounds and stood outside the porch. Now the Venerable Ananda saw her standing there, and went to the Buddha and asked several times for permission to admit women into the Order as Nuns. At last, the Blessed One gave the permission and women were admitted to the Order. Thus an Order of Nuns was founded.
(31) The Buddha Converting Saccaka, The Ascetic, Who Came To Match His Doctrine With That Of The Buddha
There was in Vesali an ascetic called Saccaka, well-versed in a variety of dogmas and philosophies. He was a teacher of the princes. As he had humiliated many heretical teachers of the day, he was planning to defeat also the Blessed One in argument. He met the Venerable Assaji one day and came to know about the doctrine of the Blessed One. He therefore came to the Buddha in order to have a debate on the doctrine. A great crowd came to watch the results of the debate.
During the debate, the Blessed One said, "Matter or form is insubstantial (that is, there is no such thing as a creative soul)". The ascetic refuted it by saying "There is a creative soul". The Blessed One then said, If there is a creative soul, why does it not create a beautiful form?" The hermit could not rebut it and sat quietly. The Buddha asked him for the second time and he still kept quiet. Now Sakka, lord of the gods, came and, assuming the form of a huge demon, threatened to strike him with his celestial weapon. When he was questioned for the third time he admitted that "matter or form is insubstantial".
(32) Dedication Ceremony Of The Jetavana Monastery By Anathapindika, The Millionaire
The Buddha was dwelling in Rajagaha, at the end of the first rainy season. Now, Anathapindika, the Millionaire, arrived in Rajagaha in connection with business. He heard that the Blessed One had attained the Supreme Wisdom of a Buddha, and had a strong desire to go to Him that very night, but could not do so. He went to bed with his thoughts fixed on the Blessed One. His faith in the Buddha was so intense that he could not sleep well and was between waking and sleeping, when a light emanated from his body. Thinking it to be daylight he went to where the Blessed One was.
When he met the Buddha, he was established in the first holy stage of the Ariyan Path. He came back, at once, to Savatthi and looked for a site to build a monastery, and found a park belonging to Prince Jeta, in a very quiet place, well connected with roads and neither too near nor too far from the town. He bought this park covering the whole site with gold coins and erected the famous Jetavana Monastery at great cost. He donated it to the Buddha and his many disciples after inviting them to come over from Rajagaha.
To be continued in Part 3