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.
