San Lo Mvu 35Asita and the Young Gotama

The Sutta of Asita and Prince Gotama

Background

This passage is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition and records events connected with the infancy and childhood of the Buddha Gotama (Shakyamuni). Asita was a renowned meditative ascetic, possessing extraordinary powers (abhiññā) through the cultivation of high meditative absorption (jhāna). He was not a Buddha, but a non-Buddhist ascetic with extraordinary spiritual capacities.

The appearance of Asita during the Buddha’s infancy carries important meaning. It shows that the Indian world of that time, though composed of many different schools of practice, recognized that the appearance of this bodhisattva was no ordinary event. Asita represents the sages outside Buddhism, those with lofty human capacities who had not yet reached the absolute awakening taught by the Buddha-Dharma.

Main Content

When the Buddha Gotama was born at Lumbinī, King Suddhodana held a blessing ceremony for the prince. Asita, believed to be able to read bodily marks (lakkhaṇa), was invited to attend. Through the bodily marks and his extraordinary powers, Asita recognized that this child would become a great Buddha, a Tathagata, and not a worldly king.

Yet Asita felt sorrow. He realized that both he and his fellow practitioners were advanced in age and would not live to witness the awakening of this bodhisattva. This reflects a deep understanding: non-Buddhist ascetics, however advanced their powers might be, were still limited by their finite lifespans and would not have the opportunity to approach the teaching dispensed by a Buddha.

The passage also records Asita’s prophecy and counsel to King Suddhodana: the prince would follow the sacred path of practice rather than become a king. He advised the king to prepare his mind for this truth.

Practical Meaning

This discourse teaches us that not all sages or those with spiritual powers can attain supreme awakening.