First teaching
see also [§] & [§] |
The Buddha walked from the
Bodhi tree at Gaya to Sarnath where his five friends were
staying. On the way he met Upaka,
an ascetic who, impressed by his radiance, asked him about
his teacher. The Buddha replied in very lofty language that
he had no teacher, that he was fully enlightened and the highest
of high. Upaka had no choice but to believe or not - he went
off by a side road. The Buddha wondered about how he might
best teach his five friends.
They eventually realised enlightenment and requested to be
disciples of the Buddha. Now there were five monks. There
is more on this story here [§].
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While the Buddha was still at
Sarnath a young man called Yasa
left home out of dispassion for the householders life. He wandered
and eventually met the Buddha who could see that Yasa's mind
was: 'as a clean, unstained cloth that would take the dye (teachings)
evenly.' Indeed Yasa got enlightened. In the meantime his parents
were out searching for him. His father found him and also got
enlightened. Yasa ordained and when his friends heard of this
they too requested ordination. Now there were 60
monks.
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Yasa & friends
see also [§]
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Kassapa
see also [§] |
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The Buddha travelled to Uruvela
and met a large group of fire worshipping, matted-hair ascetics
led by the three Kassapa brothers.
The Buddha slept in their fire chamber, defeating the royal,
fire breathing naga. A series of other miracles impressed the
brothers and they and their followers became disciples of the
Buddha. They all went to Rajagaha and met a flock of sheep destined
for a sacrifice organised by King Bimbisara. The King becomes
a disciple of the Buddha, calls off the sacrifice and donates
a bamboo grove, the Veluvanna, to the Sangha thus becoming the
first royal patron.
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There two friends, Upatissa
and Kolita, who had agreed that if one found the truth they
would inform the other. Upatissa saw the monk Assaji walking
on alms round and was very impressed. He approached him and
received a teaching in brief. The two friends travelled to meet
the Buddha and both ordained - as Sariputta and Moggallana.
They are often seen flanking the Buddha on a shrine [§]
[§]
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Two seniors
see also [§]
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Father & Son |
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King Suddhodana heard of his
son's enlightenment and invited him to return but the messengers
were so inspired they ordained and never passed on the message.
Finally the Buddha returned to Kapilavatthu. His father became
angry at his son, the prince, begging for alms. They resolved
this and went to the palace where his father offered the Buddha
a meal. He meets with his former wife - his son asks for his
inheritance - the Buddha later ordains him as a novice. Several
other male members of the household ordain - notably Ananda
who became the Buddha's attendant. Not long after this King
Suddhodana died.
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Maha Prajapati Gotami, Buddha's
step mother, requested ordination. He refused and eventually
travelled on to Vesali. Gotami followed with a large group of
ladies and on arrival met Ananda, the Buddha's attendant, who
agreed to ask the Buddha on their behalf. Eventually - if reluctantly
- the Buddha agreed, subject to eight points.
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Nuns ordain
see also [§] &[§]
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Kisa Gotami
see also [§] |
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Kisa Gotami was grief stricken
when her only son died when still a baby. She refused to believe
he was truly dead. Eventually she met the Buddha who said he
could help her but she must get a handful
of mustard seed from a house where there had been no death.
She went from house to house but everywhere she met people who
shared their own grief of lost friends and relatives. Kisa Gotami
realised her stupidity and had her son cremated. She became
a nun and eventually realised enlightenment on watching a lamp
being extinguished - 'and so too is human fragile and brief.'
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Patachara came from a wealthy
family but ran away with one of the servants. Several years
later she has two children and wants to see her family and get
their forgiveness. She sets out but her husband and the two
children are killed. She finally arrives home only to find that
her parents are also dead. She ordains as a nun and became enlightened
when washing her feet. She noticed that the water ran across
the ground a little and soaked in, on pouring a little more
she noticed it ran a little further, and a third time. Her insight
was that some die young, some in middle age, some old age -
but all must die.
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Patachara
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Angulimala |
Angulimala was misdirected by
his teacher to murder 1000 people to prove his dedication. He
ravaged the area around Kosala and kept count of his victims
by stringing a finger from each on a necklace. King Pasenadi
sent soldiers to capture him but his mother heard of this and
went to warn him. Angulimala had 999 fingers when he saw her
and was so blinded by blood that he was going to make her finger
the last. The Buddha saw all this in his mind and positioned
himself just ahead of Angulimala who chased him instead but
failed to catch him. More here [§]
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Devadatta was jealous of his
cousin and wanted to be in charge of the Sangha - the Buddha
refused. Dirty Dave tried three times to kill the Buddha. He
hired archers - they ordained! He pushed a rock off a cliff
to crush him - it split into harmless pieces! He sent a drunk
elephant charging at him - it was subdued by loving kindness.
Unable to kill the Buddha he tried political means attempting
to create a split in the order over details of the rules (vinaya).
Early on he had enlisted the help of Prince Ajatasattu (who
eventually went on to kill his own father). The story tells
of Devadatta finally repenting but being swallowed by the earth
on his way to ask the Buddha for forgiveness.
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Dirty Devadatta
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| P.S. One extra story which
took place during the Buddha's 7th year after enlightenment. He ascended
to 'heaven' to teach his mother [§] |
MAPS - The Buddha lived and taught
in the area known as the Ganges Plain, a vast area in Northern India. |
|
INTRODUCTION | YOUTH
| ENLIGHTENMENT | TEACHING
| FINALE | OTHER
VERSIONS |
