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.