The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 28

King Ajathashathru mourns for the death of Devadatta who performed grave sin against his preceptor Lord Buddha.  He believed that it was Devadatta's wicked Karma against Buddha destroyed him, it was the bad luck Devadatta could not get a glimpse of Lord Buddha before death, even though he has arrived too close to his Tejavana Monastery.  Devadatta must have swallowed up by Earth or sunk deep into hell.  Ajathashathru regretted being in the association of Devadatta and supporting him in performing mischievous deeds against Lord Buddha.  He could not sleep that night thinking of all those evil deeds he has been a part with Devadatta against Lord Buddha. He sought the help of royal physician doctor Jivaka who replied: “ Your Majesty, I feel you should meet Lord Buddha at once, kindly pay your respects to him and apologize for all the sins.” King Ajathashathru felt it is perfect, he owes an apology to Lord Buddha for those wicked deeds. He took the royal physician with him to visit Jetavana Monstrey to meet Lord Buddha and offer his respects.

Ajathashathru bend his knee down before Lord Buddha and said “ Oh! Lord, I have become prey to Devadatta, and I have committed various sins that affected your reputation and belief.  I have realized my mistakes, I sincerely beg your pardon, kindly forgive me.  I promise I will not commit the same mistakes in my life.”  Lord Buddha said “ Your majesty,  It is a timeless law that hatred can be appeased by non-hatred, whoever associates with fools/wicked/deceitful will definitely be doomed to sorrow for a long time, whoever follows virtues and righteousness would shine like a blazing flame.  The people with mindfulness remain happy always and follow the path of righteousness.  A king should rule the kingdom with Dharma, his people remain happy.  Bhikkhus, all conditioned things has the nature to arise, persists for a while and pass away.   Therefore you should have the knowledge of impermanence nature of the living and non-living things on the Earth.  Whatever you are seeing is uncertain and unreliable.  A person who wanders in this worldly existence, shed tears of sorrow and sufferings form birth and being in the Samsara countless times.  The people who cling to the attachments in the form of sounds, smell, tastes, and touches of this world have not the slightest chance to go beyond the worldly existence.”

The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 27

One day Devadatta was sitting under the tree, one of the Monk Kokalika in the Sangha said “ Devadatta cannot you realize that you are not a suitable leader of the Bhikshu Sangha? The foremost disciples of Buddha venerable Moggallana and Sariputta gave instructions and teachings to your followers, after that all of them were left your hermitage and gone to Jetavana Monastery, for your information, only a few foolish and ignorant followers are with you.” Devadatta could not believe the words of the monk Kokalika who said “you are not a real monk, you are wearing a saffron robe to manipulate people, you are foolish and exploiting the emotions of the people to gain fame and honor.  You are boastful, you are wicked who turned down his own preceptor, and compete with him.  Therefore I have no wish to stay with you any longer.”  Kokalika left the hermitage of Devadatta.

After nine months, Devadatta was troubled with a critical illness.    There was no improvement for quite some; he has no one around other than his handful of followers to look after him.  He felt that it was the Karma of his deceitful behavior to Lord Buddha; he also realized that Buddha is a noble soul who has always been kind and compassionate to him.  He remembered Buddha never shown any slightest hatred or resentment towards him all these years. Devadatta understood his death is nearing; he heartily wanted to meet Buddha and beg for forgiveness.  He requested the Monks who were in the service to take to Jetavana Monastery.  The monks carried Devadatta to the Jetavana Monastery to fulfill his last wish, he felt miserable, could not even take breathe.  He got out of the palanquin and slowly walked towards the Monastry, suddenly the weather has changed, sky is burdened with dark clouds, a strong wind swept away the dust and dried leaves, the Earth under his feet split apart,  Devadatta’s half of the body sunk deep into the Earth, eventually his entire body up to neck plunged into mud, he cried out calling for help “ Oh! The noble soul who is the personification of wisdom and knowledge, virtues, Oh! Lord Buddha, who is the remover of darkness of ignorance,  Oh! Supreme preceptor, I sincerely offer greetings to you, I take the lotus feet of Lord Buddha as my shelter place forever.” Thus, Devadatta disappeared from the Earth.

Sant Nivriththinath Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Nivriththinath Maharaj!

Chapter – 3

Nivriththinath continued to be under the guidance of Gehninath Maharaj, he undertook extreme Tapasya and meditation.  At home, the three children Gnandev, Sopandev, and Muktha found their parents are missing.  Nivriththinath returned home after embracing Sanyasa under the instruction of Gehninath Maharaj.  The children supported each other’s in their difficult times, they go begging for alms but returned home empty-handed, villagers were refused to offer alms saying that ‘Alms are offered to Bhramins and Saints.”  The children were compelled to move out of their village Alandi due to the hatred of the villagers.  They approached the high intellectuals and scholars of the village Paitan, requested a date to perform the sacred thread ceremony, the children came to know about the verdict of death punishment as atonement imposed upon their parents which were utterly unjustifiable.  Gnandev performed the miracle before the villagers of Paitan to prove that the supreme Lord resides as a soul in all the living beings, he recited Sanskrit verse before a buffalo, it repeated the verses, in this way Gandev instructed the people to respect all the living beings on the Earth.

Nivriththinath and his siblings returned to Alandi after several years.  The villagers received the youthful and charming saints with great respect.  Nivriththinath was not only  an elder brother, but he was also a preceptor to his siblings, he advised Gnandev to write the great philosophical work Amruthanubhav, and Gyaneshwari which is the essence of Bhagavad Gita.  The people of Alandi became fervent devotees of the young saints and highly praised their knowledge. During this period, Mahayogi Changdev Maharaj visited Alandi and heard the fame of young Saint Gnandeva.  Changdev Maharaj send a message in a blank paper to Gnandeva to test his wisdom, he worked a spell on the devotees of Gnandeva, but it was removed by his devotion.  Changdev arrived on a leopard to meet Gnandeva to prove his supremacy.  Gnandeva who was sitting on the wall with his sibilings instructed the wall to move and stood before Changdev.  Finally, Changdev  Maharaj realized the divinity of Gnandeva and took shelter at his feet.  At the age of 21, Gnandev Maharaj attained Mahasamadhi in Alandi, Sopandev undertook Samadhi soon after Gnandev.  Nivriththinath Maharaj and Muktha left Alandi for a spiritual tour, during their journey Mukthabai attained the abode of Lord.  Nivriththinath Maharaj proceeded to Nasik, at the age of 24 attained Mahasamadhi in Thryambakeshwar.

Sant Nivriththinath Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Nivriththinath Maharaj!

Chapter – 2

Nivriththinath was ten years old, the family undertook a journey to Trayambakeshwar on foot, they have traveled through the dense forest in the night.    suddenly he was separated from the family, left alone in the middle of the forest. The family was alarmed; there was no one to call for help, all of a sudden there appeared few tribal people who were in search of the tiger.  They urged the family to hide in a safe place; otherwise, they have to face danger.  Nivriththinath wandered in the dense food and had the encounter with the tiger, he stood calm and serene before the animal, and he stared at it and the tiger left the place amicably.  Nivriththinath proceeded his journey through the woods and reached before a cave in the hills of Anjani.

Nivriththinath went inside the cave where he could hear the utterance of ‘Alak Niranjan’.  He met a saint inside the cave, it was Sant Gehninath who the disciple of Sant Gorakhnath Maharaj was long waiting for the arrival of Nivriththi. Further, Nivriththnath attained Deeksha from Gehninath Maharaj of Nath Sampradaya.

The villager’s cruelty and humiliation to Vittal Panth and his children increased day by day.  The children were mistreated, they were considered as sinners.  Vittal Panth decided to put an end to these kinds of mistreatments; he thought the performance of the sacred thread ceremony to the children would earn new respect in society.  He decided to approach the scholars of the village for getting an auspicious date to perform the sacred thread ceremony.  Rukmini felt miserable seeing her children in extreme hunger and humiliation.  Vittal Panth met the senior scholars of Bhramin assembly, he explained that he had not committed any sin and children are not sinners, he embraced Sanyasa with the permission of his wife while he has no interest in worldly matters, he returned to Grihasthashram at the command of his preceptor Sage Ramananda, therefore he or his children did not commit any severest sin.  The Assembly of Bhramin refused to give a date for the performance of the sacred thread ceremony of the children, instead, they advised Vittal Panth to perform the atonement for the sin committed, so that they may consider issuance of the date for sacred thread ceremony.  Vittal Panth agreed to perform any atonement for the bright future of his children, the Assembly ordered Vittal Panth to give up life as atonement for his sin.  He humbly prostrated before the Assembly of Bhramin and agreed to follow the verdict.  Rukmini decided to follow her husband in death punishment too.  On that night she put her children for sleep and the couple left home and took Jalasamadhi.

Sant Nivriththinath Maharaj

Pranams at the lotus feet of Nivriththinath Maharaj!

Chapter – 1

The illustrious Saint Ramanand from Kashi visited the village of Alandi, in Maharashtra.  On his way to the shrine, he met a virtuous woman seeking his blessings.  Saint Ramanand blessed her to live a happy married life with virtuous offspring.  She shed tears of grief; it was Rukmini who was living saintly life from the separation of her husband who embraced Sanyasa,  she was living with her elderly parents in the village, even though she was well married to Vittal Panth.  Saint Ramanand enquired the reason for her sorrow; she described her fate to spend a life of an unmarried even though she was married to Vittal Panth.  Sage Ramanand returned to his hermitage and called for his disciple Vittal Panth, he advised him to return to his village at once, where his chaste wife Rukmini eagerly waiting for his arrival.  Vittal Panth returned to his village, the family was extremely happy to receive him.  In due course of time, the couple had four children, Nivriththinath, Gnandev, Sopandev, and Mukthabai.

The villagers did not treat the family of Vittal Panth with respect; they blamed him irresponsible to carry out neither Sanyasashrama nor Grihasthashrama.  Those days it was considered as a sin to led Grihasthashrama for a Sayansin.  Therefore the family had to face sheer shame in the village; they were treated as lowly creatures.  Vittal Panth had to face extreme poverty and criticism of the villagers who refused to consider him as a Brahmin.  He was refused to participate in any of the festivities or events in the village.  His children had to face constant insult from the villagers; they treated the children from the lowly clan and humiliated in public, it often put off their happiness and peace in the family.  The family had to go through extreme poverty, Rukmini found it impossible to put off the hunger of her children.

The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 26

Devadatta executed his spell over the young prince Ajathashathru, to get his right on the throne; he provoked Ajathashathru to act against his father.  Ajathashathru decided to imprison his father until his life ends.  Devadatta tried to take away the life of Buddha thrice, but he was desperately failed. One day he approached Buddha who was surrounded by a large number of disciples.  He acted himself as the strict follower of Dharma and simplicity, to persuade all the Bhikshus seated before Buddha, and he requested Buddha “ Lord, kindly  give permission to establish strict practices and guidelines such as the Monks should live in the forest, not in the town or villages where the ordinary people are inhibited, monks should be live on alms, they should not partake meal in the homes, monks should be worn only saffron robes, and should not accept clothing as offerings from others, a monk should live only under the shade of the trees, not in the sophisticated homes, a monk should not eat meat or consume intoxicating drinks, I think these rules could bring advancement in the spiritual life of the Monks.  If any of the monks violate the above rules should undergo strict punishment.  Lord, what do you think about these principles I have conceived for the welfare of the monks?”  Lord Buddha said “ Devadatta, I deny to give permission to execute the above principles.  The quality of Dharma and simplicity should not adhere to rules, it would put the monks in difficulty to perform their tasks and maintain their livelihood.  All the acts of righteousness and its practices should come voluntarily by observance.  I allow consumption of meat which is purely based on three things such as not seen, not heard, or suspected. ”  Devadatta turned to the monks assembled and asked “ Oh! Monk, who do you think superior? Don’t you think my rules are good for the monks aren’t they? Whoever believes it is good for us should come and live with me.”  Buddha said, “ Devadatta don’t be arrogant, don’t do this, breaking the association of saintly people is highly sinful Karma.” Devadatta angrily spoke, “From this day on I am not your disciple and you are no longer my preceptor.”

The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 25

Once five Sakhyan princes of Kapilavasthu, Prince Baddhiya, Prince Anurudhdha, Prince Ananda, Prince Bhagu, and Prince Kimbila, along with Koliyan Prince Devadatta, and a Barber named Upali, approached Buddha and requested to ordain as Monks.  Buddha instantly gave permission to ordain Upali, and followed by the princes respectively. Soon after their ordination, these monks attained Arahanthship with their dedicated practices and meditation.  The venerable Ananda under the guidance of venerable Punnamantaniputta attained the highest of the spiritual knowledge.  The venerable Devadatta attained various psychic powers considered as mundane.  Devadatta thought ‘I am from the royal clan, why the monks receiving a lot of respect and honor from ordinary people, why not me? Prince Ajathasathru who is the son of King Bimbisara of Rajagaha is young and does not know the difference between right and wrong, I can display all my supernatural powers to gain his devotion and respect.  So that I can achieve whatever I want through the young prince.”

One night Devadatta entered the chamber of Ajathasathru who got frightened to see him in the darkness.  He addressed Ajathashathru, as if he knows him for years, Ajathashathru was completely overwhelmed.  Devadatta asked him to be calm and quiet; introduced himself to Ajathashathru and said: “I am here to help you, and let you know when the time comes.” After saying so, Devadatta disappeared from his sight in the Veluvana Monastery, Rajagaha city.   Devadatta thought ‘ I have played my supernatural powers on prince Ajathashathru, now onwards, the prince will provide whatever I ask.  Soon I can be the leader of Sangha.”

One day Devadatta approached Buddha and said “Lord, you are getting very old, it is the time to share your responsibilities with me, I am willing to take up the burden of leading the Sangha.  Please announce the same to the entire Monk.  I can take over your teaching responsibilities.”  The disciples, monks and Buddha were surprised to witness the rude behavior of Devadatta.  Buddha said “Absolutely not. Devadatta. I am not tired of teaching Dharma; I am not tired of leading the people to the path of Dharma.”  Devadatta felt humiliated before a large number of disciples and left in a rage.  Eventually, the disciples and monks of the hermitage started showing little interest in Devadatta. It irked the pride and ego of Devadatta who decided to bring destruction to his preceptor.

The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 24

There were large numbers of female disciples of Lord Buddha who desired to get ordination as Bhikshuni/Nun, they have appealed three times to Lord Buddha but he was refused to give ordination.  The female disciple decided not to give up, understood there must be some valid reason to reject their plea.  They have decided to clean shave their heads and wear saffron robes and follow Buddha wherever he goes.  One of the Monk approached Lord Buddha with a  doubt, it was if the women were ordained as Bhikshuni according to Buddhist dispensation will they attain the supernatural powers/Arahanthship,  Buddha said “ Ananda, it is true that if they are ordained as nun according to Buddhist dispensation they would achieve Arahanthaship, exactly as the Monk does.”  The Monk pleaded “ If that is the case, kindly give ordination to Queen Mahaprajapathi, who gave birth, and raised you as a child. Kindly fulfill her wishes, Lord.”  Buddha spoke “ Ananda If Mahaprajapathi undertakes the practice of  eight strict conditions, I will give her permission for ordination.”

Ananda returned to the female ascetics who were keenly waiting for the ordination and imparted the knowledge on eight strict conditions such as a Bikshuni who have ordained should worship the Bhikshu for hundred years from the day of ordination, a Bikshuni should not spend the rains- retreat in a monastery where there are no Bhikshus in residence.  Two years later, these female ascetics completed their practice on eight strict conditions during the two rains-retreats and returned to Buddha with their request to ordain them as Bhikshunis.   Buddha instantly gave permission for the ordination.  After the ordination of MahaPrajapathi as Bhikshuni and the Sakhyan Bhikshunis were immersed in strict mental practices and meditations until each one of them attained Arahanthship. 

The King Mahanama of the Sakhya clan has inherited the throne of Kapilavasthu.  The Kingdom started to show the sign of impermanence, Yasodhara thought of her husband Siddhartha who abandoned the luxuries of the Kingdom without any second thought and conducted the search for spirituality.  Her relatives, son, and the Queen Mahaprajapathi Gautami followed the footsteps of her husband and ordained as Bikshus and Bikshunis respectively.  Yasodhara decided to give up all the royal comforts and follow the path of Lord Buddha's Dharma and simplicity/Vinaya.  Soon princess Yasodhara and a large number of ladies of the Palace traveled to Jetavana Monastery, they practiced the eight strict conditions for two rains-retreat, approached Lord Buddha to get permission to ordain as Bhikshuni.  Yasodhara was ordained as Bhikshuni with the name venerable ‘Bhaddhakanchana Theri’ and continued rigorous mental practices and meditation, eventually, she attained Arahanthship.

The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 23

Angulimala/garland of the finger was a notorious murderer who kills the passersby in the Jalini forest and adorns the garland made of their finger bones.  Buddha, who was in deep meditation envisaged that Angulimala is going to commit matricide very soon, which will bring the severest sin to him.  This sin would stop Angulimala in achieving the path of Dharma and Nirvana, all these years he was committing the sin out of ignorance, and it was not intentional.  Buddha thought Angulimala is wandering in the darkness of ignorance, he is lacking the guidance of a preceptor, he still has the right to attain the path of Dharma and Nirvana.  Buddha decided to help Angulimala from the deadly snare of killing his own mother.

Angulimala while wandering through the woods of Jalini, was proud of himself for collecting finger bones of 999 people.  He wanted to follow the instruction of his master to complete the killing of 1000 people and make a garland of their finger bones.  While he was wandering through the pathways, he saw Buddha was walking away all alone.  Angulimala rushed behind Buddha, but he could not chase Buddha.  He felt deeply exhausted, finding the same distance between them always, he could not get closer to Buddha.  Angulimala screamed “ Oh! Ascetic, stop there.” Buddha said, “ I have already stopped, it is you did not stop yet.”  Angulimala could not understand anything of Buddha’s speech.  He shouted “ Holy man should speak only the truth, you are still moving forward.  I am standing still, but you did not stop.”  Buddha said “ I am following non-violence/Ahimsa, I have stopped killing,  stopped harming and stopped pursuing the wrong livelihood, I have stopped all kinds of misconduct.  It is you have not yet stopped doing all the above I have mentioned.  How can you say that you have already stopped harming? You are still running with the sword behind me.”  Angulimala threw away his sword and fallen at the feet of Lord Buddha with the folded hand said “ You have spoken the truth.  I have not heard, not even in my master’s hermitage.” Buddha spoke “Everything arises and cease, the sword you were carrying laid down now.  Therefore leave all those thoughts associated with your wrong actions, don’t carry those thoughts in your mind that will spoil you,  focus your mind on good actions, your heart becomes cheerful and radiant.  Always be enthusiastic to earn merit by performing pious deeds,  follow good discipline, and morality that would brighten your mind.”  Angulimala attained wisdom by listening to the passionate speeches of Buddha. He took a vow to follow Buddhism and practice the same.  He was taken to Jetavana Monastery, later he was ordained as a monk, finally attained Nirvana.

The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 22

The villagers were talking about the unexpected death of a young courtesan Sirima, who has become a staunch devotee of Lord Buddha.  She was gorgeous with a lovely appearance; everyone remarked she is too young to die.  Once she had the opportunity to listen to the lecture of Lord Buddha, after that she gave up her duty as a courtesan and became an ardent follower of Buddha.  Thus she has attained an abundance of merit with the grace of Lord Buddha.    The villagers were in a hurry to cremate the dead body, but they were not able to perform their task, Buddha requested King Shudhodhana to order to keep the corpse for three days.  As per the order of the King, the body was kept for three days.  When Sirima came into the village Rajagir as a courtesan, all the villagers were expressed their desire to spend the night with her and spend pleasurable time in the association of her, now she is dead no one wants to keep her corpse, everyone wants to get rid of her corpse.

The King arrived at the place where the corpse of Sirima was kept in the wooden box.   The King announced, “I would like to sell the corpse of the courtesan for the highest price, I will start from the price she began to sell her body, who wants to buy for 1000 Kahapanas, who wants to start bidding?”  The villagers were shocked after hearing the announcement of the King; they whispered to each other, who is going to buy a corpse? Who is going to bid a lifeless body? Who is going to spend this much money on a corpse? She is dead for three days and her corpse started spreading foul smell, fluids are flowing out of the body, the smell of the corpse is intolerable, spreading all over the symmetry, who would buy the corpse with the foul smell?.  The King started to reduce the bidding price for the rotten corpse, no one in the crowd moved an inch further showing interest in it, finally, the King announced if no one wants to pay, ready to offer the corpse for free.  It was pitiful to note that none of the gentlemen came forward from the crowd, while Sirima was alive all these men were fighting to own her for a night.  Finally, her body was cremated under the instruction of the King, following the prescribed rite.

King Shudhdhodhana and the people assembled in the symmetry listened to the teachings of Buddha “ It is the nature of all the things to arise, persist for a while and pass away.  It is the nature of all the living beings in the Samsara.  It is sobering to understand that the soul keeps taking several countless births on this Earth.  The person who is too attached to sound, taste, smell,  and physical sensations, cannot find liberation from this worldly existence.”

The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 21

There was a  pious woman Uttara who was a staunch devotee of Lord Buddha, she had a conversation with her husband, he said “ Uttara, why did you ask for a large sum of money from your father.  I am your wedded husband; you could have asked me for that.  There was no need to bother your father.”  Uttara said “ Dear husband, since after the marriage I had little opportunity to perform religious and spiritual tasks, my father is a staunch devotee of Lord Buddha, I asked money to offer a meal for Buddha and his disciples for fifteen days.  It is not that I was intentionally refusing to take money from you.  My father shares the belief of Lord Buddha with me.” her husband replied, “ In that case, let it be as you wish.”  Uttara continued “ I wish to cook meals for Lord Buddha and his disciples for fifteen days all by myself.  I want to invite them to our house and serve meals.  I am afraid during that time I won’t be able to perform wifely tasks for you. Please excuse me for that.” Her husband said, “ In that case, let it be as you wish”.  Uttara resumed “ I have heard about a courtesan girl  Sirima who is charming and expensive, living in Rajgir, a few men got an opportunity to enjoy her beauty.  In these fifteen days, I am thinking of hiring Sirima to perform all the wifely duties to you.” Husband replied “ In that case, let it be as you wish.”  As per the conversion of the couple, the courtesan girl Sirima was brought to their house for living.

Uttara and her maidservant engaged in the preparation for inviting Lord Buddha and his disciples, they spend hours and hours in the kitchen preparing a sumptuous meal for Lord Buddha and his disciples. One day her husband arrived in the kitchen with the courtesan girl Sirima and asked: “ Uththara are you exhausted?” The husband thought, look at her, she is not letting others do the work, though she has enough employees in the kitchen, her face is murky and clothes are dirty, in fact, she should relax, instead, she is finding a way to get herself worn out of the kitchen tasks.  Uttara thought how heedless and pleasure-seeking is my husband, he is immensely wealthy so he is not thinking of earning piousness, and he is really foolish.  Sirima thought, Uththara is looking at me with a contemptuous smile as if she is scolding me, it is sickening to stick on here.  Sirima approached Uththara vehemently, seized the ladle from her hand and took a ladle full of boiling soup to pour on her face.  Uttara said “ Sirima I am grateful to you for taking up my place and serving my husband for these fifteen days.  It provided me a chance to earn some merit by serving Buddha and his disciples for fifteen days.  I will not get angry with you for the way you treat me.”  Sirima poured the boiling soup on Uththara’s face, but it did no harm on her face.  Soon all the employees of the Bungalow rushed into the kitchen saying “ How dare this prostitute attack our employer? Let us teach her a lesson so that she won’t forget. Come on.”  Soon Uththara came in the middle and said “ Do not hurt her, Sirima is like a friend to me, I owe her debt of gratitude, I am not angry on her,”  Sirima felt ashamed of her actions and fallen at the feet of Uththara.  Sirima said “ I am a courtesan girl employed by you, I have made a mistake, I have started assuming your husband like mine, that’s why I attacked you.  You are a noble person.  You have not shown any anger against my wickedness; your heart is filled with compassion and love. Kindly forgive me Uththara.”  Uttara said “ If you want to ask forgiveness, please do that to Lord Buddha. Tomorrow I will be completing fifteen days of offerings to Lord Buddha and his disciples.  Please come and attend the offering ceremony and listen to the speech about Dharma.”

The next day morning Lord Buddha arrived with his disciples.  He gave a lecture about anger “A person should overcome his hatred with kindness,  evil with goodness, stinginess with generosity, deceit with integrity,  and carelessness of speech with the words of wisdom.  People who are absorbed in worldly matters and pleasures, wrapped in sensual pleasures, intoxicated by immense wealth, luxuries, status, power and fame, cannot realize the beauty of nobility and truthfulness.”  Uttara and Sirima attained wisdom and earned abundance piousness with the grace of the Lord Buddha.  Later Sirima became the staunch devotee of Lord Buddha.

The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 20

Once Buddha was walking for begging alms, one saintly old man approached Buddha and said: “ Monk, why are you here in  my hermitage?” Buddha said “ Venerable Uruvela Kasappa, I have come to ask permission to stay in your hermitage.” Kasappa said, “ Venerable Buddha, here we do fire worship.”  The saintly man thought Buddha does not follow our practices of worship, then why did he want to stay in this hermitage.  The saintly old Kasappa said “ Sorry Monk, I have no place to offer you here. Therefore please look elsewhere.  I would suggest you travel in a different direction from here.  This bank of river Neranjera is occupied by us, three Jatila brothers.  I am Uruvela Kasappa, the surrounding areas belong to myself and my five hundred followers.  Further down the river, there is a hermitage of my younger brother Nadi Kasappa and his three hundred followers.  The area beyond is occupied by Gayakasappa who is my youngest brother with his two hundred followers.  These three riverside hermitages are fully occupied and there is no room for you to stay.”  Buddha said “ I can see a place available in your fire worshiping shrine. Kindly give me permission to stay there.” Uruvela Kassappa said “ Monk, I do not mind you stay in the shrine, but I must warn you, there is a fierce venomous serpent king in the shrine, If you spend a night in there your life will be in danger,”  Buddha said, “ Uruvela Kassapa, kindly give me permission, the serpent King will not do any harm to me.”  Uruvela Kassapa said, “ If you say so, please make yourself comfortable in the fire worshipping shrine.”

On that night Buddha took shelter in the fire worshipping shrine, seated before the huge blazing fire and engaged in dee[ meditation.  There was loud hissing and crawling sound of the huge serpent King that went near the fireplace and emitted fire in all directions,  Buddha did not open his eyes.  Uruvela Kassappa was overlooking the shrine from his chamber window thinking that Buddha must have burned into ashes by the serpent King.   Uruvela Kassappa rushed near the shrine and wondered to see the serpent inside a covered small wooden bowl; he thought Buddha must have supernatural powers.  His mind was not willing to accept the powers of Buddha.  One night he could witness a brilliant ray entered inside the shrine and spreading light all over the place, he thought this ascetic must have great might.  While Buddha was living inside the shrine there were deities who assumed the form of brilliant rays from all the abodes were the regular visitors to listen to the teachings of him.  Still, Uruvela Kassapa was not willing to accept the supremacy of Buddha.

One night there were thunderstorms followed with lightning and heavy downpour, eventually, it flooded the whole area.   Uruvela Kassappa was traveling in a ferry to his hermitage thought definitely Buddha must have washed off in the heavy rain.  Suddenly, the ferryman said “Master, look over there, the ascetic is untouched by the water,” Uruvela Kassapa saw Buddha was standing in the middle of flooded water leaving a circular space for him. Uruvela Kassapa understood that Buddha has immense supernatural powers, but his mind was not willing to accept the fact.

Buddha understood Uruvela Kassappa is arrogant and stubborn, he is proud of his ascetic powers.  Buddha spoke to him “Venerable Kasappa, your fire worship is not going to help you to achieve liberation, you are proud of yourself with the divine powers, you are deceiving yourself and others too.   If you give up your pride and follow and practice my teachings, in a short time you will become a true ascetic with supernatural powers.”  Uruvela Kassappa understood his misconception and fallen at the feet of Lord Buddha and requested to accept him as his disciple.  Later he was ordained as a Monk and taught the path of Dharma and Nirvana.

The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 19

Once Buddha’s disciple was under meditation, a few youngsters arrived to meet him and a few of them were childhood mates from the village.  Buddha’s disciple instantly recognized them and asked “ I still remember the childhood days we have spent together,  I have moved forward, I do not concern myself, I left all the worldly bondage, you have gone in search of worldly affairs, What’s  the reason you all came to meet me?”  One of them said, “We heard you have gone forth, and sure there must be good reasons to do so, therefore we came to see you.” Buddha’s disciple said “ If that is the case, I will take you all to meet the Lord Buddha who enlightened me from the darkness of ignorance. I will request Lord Buddha to guide you as well.”  The Monk took all the village mates to Lord Buddha who was seated under the tree.   Lord Buddha began to speak “Once you know about the causes of displeasure and what are the displeasures, which causes destruction and death, should know the techniques for the cessation of destruction and death.  If you know the sufferings and its causes, you can adopt the path for the cessation of the same.” The monk while sending off the villagers said: “The fifty of you all are my friends from the same village if you need any help; I am ready to do whatever help I can.”  One of them said, “We heard you have ordained as Monk under the guidance of Lord Buddha, we want to follow your footsteps, we want to ordain as Monk as well.”  The Monk said, “You have to request Lord Buddha to get ordain as Monk.”

These villagers attended the lectures of Lord Buddha regularly. “ A Bikshu was taught to be humble and kind, he was taught the lessons of Dharma, he learns to know the state of human being, he realizes the pleasant and unpleasant feelings, and the neutral feelings, he realizes the impermanent nature of the feelings.  He realizes the arising, persistence and passing away of feelings, ultimately seeing the impermanence nature he grows weary of feelings.  Finally, he grows disinterested in feelings and letting go.  He meditates to things that let it go, pleasant as well as unpleasant; he is not grasping or not clinging on to the feelings.  This leads to contemplation and realization of cessation.”  The youngsters listen to the teachings of Buddha with fold hands with extreme reverence.  Buddha announced “ Bhikshus, You have attained sublime of Dharma.  Therefore go place to place and spread the inspiring Dharma, make known the philosophies of Buddhism for the benefit of the people.  But do not travel two on the same route.”  All the villagers were ordained as Monks and traveled to different places to spread the teachings of Lord Buddha, the essence of Dharma/righteousness.

The Life of Lord Buddha

Pranams at the lotus feet of Lord Buddha!

Chapter – 18

Once a few young men and the chief of the tribal clan were sitting under the tree, surrounded by lush green land and streams in the dense wood, there came Buddha with the wooden bowl for alms in his hand.  The old man said in disapproval “ He is Gauthama, who embraced asceticism, a hermit who lives in solitude.” The young man expressed his criticism “If he comes, we won’t get up or greet him or welcome him, and we will put a seat if he wants to take the seat.”  Though these people expressed their disapproval about Buddha, as soon as he approached, when they made eye contact with Buddha, the villagers went near him and greeted him with respect, one took hold the bowl for alms,  and the other one fanned him.  Suddenly, the villagers realized that even though they were decided to show no respect, as soon as they saw Buddha they could not resist getting up and greeting him.  The chief of the tribal clan asked “ Oh!  Buddha, what was the purpose of your visit to this forest?”  Buddha said, “ Pay attention to my words, if you follow my words, you will realize Dharma.” The chief spoke, “ after practicing austerities for a long time you did not attain enlightenment, so how could you attain liberation after giving up all efforts, causing us to abandon you.”  Buddha said “An ascetic should not follow entangling with the sensual pleasures and tormenting body with hardship and pain,  these will not lead to the path of enlightenment.  The Noble Eightfold Path is the practice that leads to Nirvana.  There is four noble truth such as suffering, physical illnesses, mental illnesses, and desire, should be abandoned, cessation of suffering should be the prime goal and the techniques should be realized and practiced.”  This was the first teaching of Buddha about the Dharma to the tribal clan, the chief of the tribal clan venerable Kondanna attained the spiritual wisdom.  Soon he requested Buddha to ordain him as Buddhist Monk.  Buddha said “ You are Bhikshu who has profound knowledge in Dharma.”  Later, on the first day of the waning of moon venerable Vappa ordained as Monk, venerable Bhaddiya  on the second day, and third day venerable Mahanama and venerable Assaji on the fourth day.  On the fifth day of  the waning moon, of the eighth lunar month Buddha, gave lessons on the ‘self’, that are body, feeling, pleasant, unpleasant, neutral, perception and memory, mental formations, sense consciousness, awareness of mental impressions, are not connected with the soul.  All these are impermanent and insubstantial,  it is their nature to arise, persist for a while and pass away.”  After listening to the speeches of Buddha, these monks attained enlightenment which leads to Nirvana.