佛本行集經

Chapter 46: THE OFFERING OF THE BAMBOO GROVE

(Part 2)

At that time, in the great city of Rajagriha there was a householder named Kalandaka, one of the wealthiest men in the kingdom. He possessed abundant property and numerous attendants, and even his residence resembled the palace of Vaisravana in the north. The householder Kalandaka owned a bamboo grove not far from Rajagriha. It was suitable as a dwelling place for virtuous persons, and religious practitioners therefore often came and went there to cultivate the Way. Those practitioners were Ajivikas (rendered in the Sui translation as “Wrong Livelihood”).

Master Kasyapiya said:

At that time, the Four Great Heavenly Kings, guardians of the four directions, commanded the blue-bodied yakshas:

“Go quickly to Kalandaka’s Bamboo Grove. Sprinkle it with water and sweep away all gravel, stones, thorns, and filth. Level every mound so that no pits or hollows remain, and make the place clean, for today the Blessed One is about to enter the rains retreat in this grove.”

Relying upon the awesome power of the Four Great Heavenly Kings, the blue yakshas, having received these instructions, replied:

“We shall obey the Heavenly Kings’ command.”

They immediately went to the Bamboo Grove, sprinkled it with water, swept it clean, and leveled the ground, making it exceedingly dignified and splendid.

Early that morning, just as the morning star appeared, an Ajivika practitioner saw four blue yakshas come to the Bamboo Grove and sprinkle and sweep it. Seeing them, he approached and asked:

“What are you elders doing? Who are you?”

The yakshas replied:

“Worthy sir, we are blue yakshas sent by the Four Heavenly Kings to sweep this Bamboo Grove, sprinkle it with water, and level and clean the grounds, because today the Tathagata is coming here to spend the summer rains retreat. For this reason, we have come to sweep and prepare it.”

That morning, the Ajivika practitioner hurried to the householder Kalandaka. Upon arriving, he informed the householder:

“Great householder, you should know that near dawn, when the morning star appeared, I saw four blue yakshas sprinkling and sweeping the Bamboo Grove. Seeing them, I asked, ‘Who are you elders?’ They replied, ‘We are blue yakshas sent by the Four Heavenly Kings to sweep this grove.’ They also said, ‘We have come to sweep this Bamboo Grove and make it level and clean because the Blessed One is coming here today to enter the rains retreat. Therefore, we have come to sweep and prepare it.’”

The Ajivika practitioner then said to the householder Kalandaka:

“Householder, you should go to the Bamboo Grove first and offer it for the use of the Sramana Gautama. I fear that King Bimbisara may later seize this Bamboo Grove and offer it to Gautama. Householder, I fear that you would then lose the merit of this gift, so you must not be negligent and let this opportunity pass.”

When the wealthy householder Kalandaka heard the Ajivika practitioner speak thus, he immediately set out to meet the Buddha. Traveling in the opposite direction, while still half a yojana from the Buddha, Kalandaka saw the Blessed One approaching from afar. His noble countenance was upright and handsome, delightful for all to behold, and the auspicious marks adorning his body were like stars embellishing the night sky. Seeing him, the householder went before the Blessed One, bowed at the Buddha’s feet, took a golden pitcher in his hands, and poured pure water over the Blessed One’s hands.

The householder then said:

“Excellent, Blessed One! I dwell in Rajagriha and am named Kalandaka. I possess a bamboo grove not far from Rajagriha that is suitable as a dwelling place for virtuous persons. I now wish to offer this grove to the Blessed One. I beseech you, in your compassion, to accept this Bamboo Grove.”

The Buddha told the householder Kalandaka:

“If someone offers to the Buddha a grove, a dwelling or land, robes, or any other property, and these things are given unconditionally to the Buddha, they become a shrine among devas and humans and may not be used by others.”

The Buddha said:

“Today, householder, you should offer this Bamboo Grove to the Sangha of the four directions. In this way, the entire assembly, both present and future, may use it.”

Thus did the Tathagata teach him about the immense merit of giving. Having heard the Buddha’s instruction, the householder Kalandaka said to the Buddha:

“I shall follow the Blessed One’s instruction and dare not disobey.”

The householder then said to the Buddha:

“Blessed One, I now offer this Bamboo Grove for the unrestricted use of the entire Sangha throughout the three times. I beseech the Blessed One, in his compassion, to make use of this grove.”

Out of compassion for the householder Kalandaka, the Blessed One accepted the grove. Then, out of compassion for the householder, the Blessed One pronounced verses of blessing, just as in the verses above:

All the many trees within the grove

… …

Through steadfast faith and reverence, one is born in heaven.

This was the first time the Blessed One accepted the offering of a bamboo grove. At that time, the Blessed One dwelt in Kalandaka’s Bamboo Grove in Rajagriha together with one thousand great bhikshus, all former matted-hair Brahmin ascetics.

Chapter 47: THE CAUSES AND CONDITIONS OF MAHAKASYAPA

(Part 1)

One master said as follows: At that time, neither near nor far from Rajagriha, there was a village named Newly Established.

A master of the Mahasanghika school said: “In Rajagriha in the kingdom of Magadha, there was a village named Mahasatthala (rendered in the Sui translation as ‘Great Estate’). There was a Brahmin settlement there that was likewise called Mahasatthala. In that settlement lived an exceedingly wealthy Brahmin named Nyagrodhakalpa (rendered in the Sui translation as ‘Worthy of Use Tree’). This great householder was immensely rich and had numerous servants and attendants. Even his residence resembled the heavenly palace of Vaisravana in the north. This Brahmin governed five hundred villages, which he divided among his subordinates to administer.”

At that time, King Bimbisara of Magadha possessed one thousand plow oxen, while the householder Nyagrodhakalpa’s herd lacked only one ox to make a thousand. Why was this? Fearing that the great King Bimbisara might become jealous, the Brahmin kept his herd one ox smaller. Yet the Brahmin possessed other livestock beyond counting; only a general estimate of their abundance could be made. The householder’s treasuries of gold and money numbered twenty-five in all.

At that time, the wealthy Brahmin’s wife was strolling for pleasure in the upper garden and happened to sit beneath a pippala tree. She was pregnant and there gave birth to a boy beneath that tree. The boy was upright, handsome, and imposing, as beautiful as a golden image. Everyone delighted in seeing him, and none in the world could equal him. When the boy was born, an exquisite celestial robe appeared beneath the tree. Seeing this celestial robe appear, his parents thought, “This celestial robe must certainly have appeared through the boy’s merit.” Because of this omen, they named him Pippalayana (rendered in the Sui translation as “Born Beneath a Tree”). Since he had been born beneath that tree, they named him after that circumstance, and he became traditionally known as Pippalayana.

His parents then entrusted the boy to four nurses. One nurse carried him, one suckled him, one took him out to play, and one attended to his nourishment. The four nurses cared for him, bathed and carried him, entertained and nursed him, hoping that he would quickly grow to maturity. Since the wealthy Brahmin householder and his wife had only this one boy, Pippalayana, they cherished him dearly and would not let him leave their side even for a moment. Whenever circumstances required them to be apart from him, their hearts were unhappy.

Through the causes and conditions of his merit, the boy did not require long nurturing before he gradually grew, learned to walk and run, and developed in wisdom. When he reached precisely eight years of age, his parents had him receive the Brahmin precepts and teachings. After he had received them, his parents entrusted the family estate to him and taught him the various crafts and sacrificial rites.

They also taught him poetry, mathematics, painting, seal engraving, the four Vedas, the methods of prophecy, worldly debate, the arts of weaponry, the methods of great incantations, the Chandas treatises, literary evidence, the five elements, the stars, calculation, yin and yang, and how to foretell the favorable and unfavorable omens occurring throughout each day and night. Moreover, the boy understood every kind of sound: the sounds signifying movements of the earth, thunder, thunderbolts, the cries of birds and beasts, and the sounds made by flying birds and running animals.

He understood all marks and every transformation. He knew physiognomy, the marks of occupations, the marks of men and women, and the marks of livestock. He knew the methods of purification and cleansing, drawing water, washing, and taking ashes.

He knew how to sing praises and invocations, how to discern auspiciousness and inauspiciousness, prosperity and decline, how to avert calamities, and how to make offerings to the fire deity, the devas, and great beings. He mastered all these things completely.

Having learned them himself, the boy was also capable of teaching others. He learned the rules governing the acceptance of things from others and the giving of things to others. There was nothing in the world he did not understand and no field of knowledge unknown to him.

He was quick-witted, discerning, wise, and intelligent, with forceful powers of reasoning and keen, astute faculties. By nature, the boy was honest and upright. He was constantly weary of worldly affairs and recognized sensual desire as impure, and therefore developed a mind of renunciation.

Because in past lives he had encountered the Buddhas, the Blessed Ones, planted roots of virtue before them, cultivated abundant merit, and brought it to fulfillment, he understood all worldly dharmas to be false and deceptive. His mind delighted in turning toward the gate of nirvana, and he constantly sought release from the afflictions. He was not defiled by the conditioned dharmas of the world, did not undergo karmic obstructions, and eliminated his bonds.

Through the power of this wisdom, he attained the stage of one birth remaining.

As the months and years passed, the boy Pippalayana gradually grew to adulthood and became old enough to enjoy worldly pleasures. Seeing this, his parents told him:

“My son Pippalayana, we wish to choose a young woman suited to you, who may become your wife and attend upon you.”

Hearing his parents speak thus, Pippalayana replied:

“Revered parents, my heart has no desire to marry. My only aspiration is to cultivate the holy life.”

His parents then told Pippalayana:

“Our beloved son, the first thing you must do in this life is beget a son to continue the family line. Afterward, you may cultivate the holy life as you please. Why? For it is said in the accounts handed down through generations that if a person has no son and no one to continue his line, he cannot be born in heaven.”

The boy again said to his parents:

“Revered parents, I have no need to continue worldly affairs, nor have I any need to perpetuate a lineage in the future. I wish only to cultivate the holy life.”

Two or three times, his parents said to Pippalayana:

“Our beloved son, you must establish a household. Why? Because we fear that our family line will become extinct.”

After his parents had pressed him three times, Pippalayana took Jambunada gold and had a craftsman carve it into the image of a woman. When the craftsman had finished, the boy brought it to his parents and said:

“Revered parents, I do not delight in enjoying the pleasures of the five desires and aspire to cultivate the holy life. If you are determined that I must marry to continue the family line, you must find a young woman whose beauty resembles this image of Jambunada gold.”

Seeing this, the boy’s parents became sorrowful, distressed, and unhappy. They thought, “In what land could we find a woman whose form and complexion resemble Jambunada gold?” The great Brahmin Nyagrodhakalpa then sat silently in the upper chamber, unhappy at heart.

At that time, another Brahmin teacher who regularly visited the wealthy Brahmin’s home arrived there and recited a blessing:

“May the great benefactor’s wealth increase; may he enjoy excellent rewards and lack nothing; may his wives, concubines, children, and grandchildren be numerous…”

He then asked a servant:

“Where is your master now?”

The servant replied:

“Our great Brahmin is presently sitting silently in the upper chamber. His heart is deeply sorrowful and distressed, and he is unhappy.”

The Brahmin teacher went to the wealthy Brahmin and said:

“May the great benefactor’s family estate prosper. How have your days been passing? Is your food agreeable? Do you sleep well at night? And each night, when you sport with your beloved, do you experience complete delight and pleasure?”

Although the teacher asked all these questions, the wealthy Brahmin master sat silently and did not answer a word. The Brahmin teacher asked again:

“Worthy sir, why do you sit silently today and give no answer? From childhood until now, you and I have shared both hardship and happiness. Why will you not tell me the reason today?”

The great Brahmin Nyagrodhakalpa then related the matter to the Brahmin teacher. Having explained it, the great Brahmin lamented:

“Where today could I find a young woman as beautiful as this image of Jambunada gold?”

The Brahmin teacher said to the great Brahmin:

“Wealthy Brahmin benefactor, do not grieve or suffer. You have been a great benefactor to me, providing all that I require—robes, food, necessities, and the like. I shall now search on your behalf for a young woman whose beauty resembles Jambunada gold. Do not doubt; I shall certainly find her. I now require provisions and traveling companions so that we may search throughout the four directions.”

Hearing the Brahmin teacher speak thus, the wealthy Brahmin provided all the provisions and traveling companions he had requested. After receiving them, the Brahmin teacher made four multicolored canopies for a divine image and adorned them in various ways. A divine image was installed at the front, and all manner of music was played before and behind and on every side. Beneath one canopy was the face of a divine image fashioned from gold; beneath another, one fashioned from silver; and beneath another, one fashioned from crystal. When these were completed, he sent men to carry three canopies in three different directions, retaining only one to accompany himself. The Brahmin teacher instructed those departing in the other directions:

“When you reach the villages and settlements, announce to the village maidens, ‘This is a divine image to which you should hold a rite of offering. Whoever makes offerings to it will have every prayer fulfilled according to her wishes.’ Observe the maidens carefully. If you see one with a golden complexion, ask her name, family, and address, and immediately come and inform me.”

After the Brahmin teacher had given these instructions, they departed in different directions. The teacher himself placed a canopy and divine image in a box, took his provisions, and traveled into other regions through villages, districts, cities, royal palaces, and along the roads. Wherever he arrived, music was played for the divine image, and all the women of that place gathered to see it.

When the Brahmin teacher saw the women gathered, he took the divine image from the box, showed it to them, and said:

“Young ladies, you should make offerings to this divine image. Whoever makes offerings to this deity will have her aspirations fulfilled according to her wishes.”

The women then brought various scented ointments, powdered incense, garlands, and scattered flowers from their homes and made offerings to the divine image. By this expedient, the Brahmin teacher gradually reached Vaisali.

At that time, not far from Vaisali, there was a large village named Kalavika (rendered in the Sui translation as “Reddish-Yellow”). In that village lived an exceedingly wealthy Brahmin named Kapila (rendered in the Sui translation as “Yellow-Red”). This Brahmin possessed abundant wealth and numerous servants, and even his residence resembled the palace of Vaisravana in the north.

He had a daughter named Bhaddha Kapilani (rendered in the Sui translation as “Virtuous Golden-Hued Maiden”). Her appearance was lovely, and her beauty unsurpassed; people delighted in seeing her, and none in the world could equal her. She was neither tall nor short, neither plump nor thin.

Her complexion was neither white nor black, neither blue nor red. She was in the prime of youth and worthy to be the jewel-maiden of the realm.

At that time, Vaisali was observing a fire festival at which five hundred women had assembled. Bhaddha was also present. The Brahmin teacher brought the canopy and divine image to the gathering of women. Upon arriving, he took the divine image from the box, showed it to the women, and said:

“Women, this is the image of a most sublime and supreme heavenly deity. You should hold a sacrificial rite and make offerings to it. Whichever of you makes offerings to this deity will have the wishes of her heart fulfilled.”

All the women brought various powdered incense, scented ointments, garlands, and scattered flowers. They hurried before the divine image and prayed:

“Today I make offerings to this heavenly deity.”

Bhaddha alone did not approach the divine image. All her female companions embraced her and pulled her toward it, so she too came before it. The power of her radiant presence immediately caused the image of Jambunada gold to lose its original luster.

Exerting all her strength, Bhaddha freed herself from her companions’ grasp, ran home, and said to her parents:

“Revered parents, do not give me to that man. Why? Because I do not wish to take him as my husband. In my heart, I desire to cultivate the holy life.”

Her brothers then said to Bhaddha:

“Our dear sister, we truly do not wish to be separated from you. Yet if we, your brothers, do not give you in marriage, it will not accord with worldly propriety. People may say, ‘Bhaddha’s brothers remain close to her because they surely harbor improper thoughts, and therefore they will not give her to another.’ We fear such suspicions.”

Bhaddha’s brothers continued:

“Do not grieve. We should promise you in marriage, but demand that the suitor provide a great amount of wealth according to your stipulation. If the man seeking you as his wife cannot provide so much wealth, you will not have to leave this house. If anyone comes seeking you as his wife, we shall tell him, ‘If you wish to take our sister as your wife, you must bring an amount of pure gold equal to her body. If you do so, we shall give her to you.’”

While searching for a woman and carrying the female image made of Jambunada gold, the great Brahmin teacher had seen Bhaddha. He asked the other women:

“Who is that young woman? Where is her home?”

The women replied to the visiting Brahmin:

“In this region there is an exceedingly wealthy Brahmin named Kapila. She is his daughter.”

Having learned her identity, the visiting Brahmin gradually made his way to the wealthy Brahmin’s house at dusk, as the sun was about to set. Upon arriving, he requested lodging for the night. The wealthy Brahmin’s servants consented and invited him into the guesthouse. The visiting Brahmin spent the night there. The following day, just as dawn broke, he went to see the Brahmin Kapila. Upon arriving, he stood before Kapila and pronounced a blessing:

“May the household of this worthy Brahmin always prosper and flourish.”

After pronouncing the blessing, he withdrew and sat to one side. Kapila asked the visiting Brahmin:

“Worthy sir, how was your night? Were you at ease?”

The visiting Brahmin replied:

“Last night I was very peaceful and comfortable and suffered no distress.”

Early that morning, after Bhaddha had risen, she went and bowed at her father’s feet, then withdrew and stood to one side. The visiting Brahmin who was seeking a bride said to the exceedingly wealthy Brahmin Kapila:

“Excellent! Worthy sir, who is this young woman?”

Kapila replied:

“This young woman is my daughter.”

The visiting Brahmin asked again:

“Worthy sir, has your daughter already been betrothed anywhere?”

Kapila replied:

“My daughter has not been promised to anyone.”

The visiting Brahmin seeking a young woman then said to the master Kapila:

“Wealthy worthy sir, in the kingdom of Magadha there is a village named Mahasatthala, within which is a settlement likewise named Mahasatthala. In that settlement lives a great Brahmin named Nyagrodhakalpa, who is exceedingly wealthy. He has a son named Pippalayana.

The young man understands the meanings of the teachings and can teach them to others. He has mastered the three Vedas and thoroughly understands the Treatise on Ten Names for Each Thing, the Nikanchu verses and treatises, the Treatise on Past Events and the Five Sciences, and other works. He can clearly analyze a single sentence, half a sentence, a verse, or half a verse.

He fully explains worldly prophecies, understands the sixty kinds of treatises, and knows the fundamental marks of a great man. There is no art or craft in which he is deficient.”

The visiting Brahmin continued:

“Master, I now ask you to give this young woman in marriage to the young man Pippalayana.”

The wealthy Brahmin and his sons said to the visiting Brahmin:

“If this daughter is to marry, a great amount of wealth must be presented. We shall give her only to one who can provide it.”

The visiting Brahmin asked:

“How much wealth is required?”

The members of the household replied:

“Gold equal to her body. That is all we require.”

The visiting Brahmin immediately took from his bag a female image made of Jambunada gold, showed it to Bhaddha’s parents and brothers, and said:

“This image of Jambunada gold is equal to the young woman. You should accept it and give her to me.”

Bhaddha’s parents and brothers then thought, “People in that distant land heard that our daughter possesses such upright beauty, and so they amassed this much Jambunada gold to fashion a female image of this size.” They then discussed the matter: “If today we accept this image of Jambunada gold without investigating the extent of that family’s wealth, and without clearly knowing whether their rites, customs, and laws are civilized or backward, our daughter may suffer when she enters their household. We should therefore send a confidential envoy to investigate their family.”

After discussing this, they said to the visiting Brahmin who was seeking a bride:

“Excellent, great Brahmin envoy. We now wish to send an emissary to the prospective bridegroom’s home to inspect their rites and customs. Afterward, we shall consider whether to give our daughter in marriage.”

The visiting great Brahmin replied:

“So be it. You may send anyone you wish to make inquiries.”

Having said this, the visiting great Brahmin took leave of his hosts and returned to his own country. Upon reaching the home of the Brahmin Nyagrodhakalpa, he said:

“Great Brahmin, worthy sir, the journey was most successful. You should rejoice, for I have found a young woman whose complexion is golden like the Jambunada image. She is exceedingly upright and beautiful, gentle and unequaled, and everyone delights in seeing her.”

The wealthy Brahmin asked the Brahmin who had gone in search of the young woman:

“Brahmin, in what region did you encounter her?”

The Brahmin teacher replied:

“Not far from Vaisali there is a village named Kapila. In that village lives an exceedingly wealthy Brahmin who is also named Kapila. This Brahmin fathered the young woman, whose name is Bhaddha Kapilani. That is her native place.”

When Pippalayana’s parents heard this account, joy filled their hearts and bodies beyond restraint. The great Brahmin Nyagrodhakalpa then arranged along the road from his own village all the way to Vaisali for a herd of cattle and a guesthouse to be established at every interval of half a yojana. After all these places had been prepared, the great Brahmin Nyagrodhakalpa told the cattle keepers:

“You must be prepared as follows: if travelers arrive from Vaisali and require anything, you must welcome and provide for them without any lapse in courtesy.”

When Bhaddha Kapilani’s brothers left their home and traveled toward Magadha and Rajagriha, they reached the first cattle station. Everyone there humbly came forward to welcome them and said:

“Welcome, honored guests who have come from afar!”

They immediately invited them into the guesthouse and provided hot, scented water for bathing. They anointed their bodies with various fragrances, offered them priceless garments to wear, and gave them garlands of fragrant flowers with which to adorn their heads. Afterward, they entertained them with every kind of delicious delicacy and sweet food and drink. There was hard food, soft food, relishes, beverages, and all manner of delicious fare in abundance, so that they might freely eat their fill. The attendants said:

“This is the house of us cattle keepers. Honored guests, please remain here for one night. Tomorrow morning, you may continue on your way as you wish.”

The travelers asked the cattle keepers:

“To whom does this cattle station belong?”

The cattle keepers replied:

“This cattle station belongs to the wealthy Brahmin Nyagrodhakalpa. Fearing that worthy travelers might become weary, hungry, thirsty, and distressed on their journey and lack provisions or conveniences, he built this house.”

The travelers rested there overnight and departed the following morning. In the same way, they successively encountered the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh cattle stations. At each one, the people came out to welcome them and said:

“Worthy sirs, honored guests who have come from afar, remain here for one night and rest well. Early tomorrow morning, you may continue on your way as you wish.”

The travelers asked the host:

“How many cattle stations like this are there?”

The cattle keeper replied:

“From Mahasatthala to this place, and onward in the same manner as far as Vaisali, there is a cattle station every half yojana.”

When Bhaddha Kapilani’s brothers heard this, they thought, “This man possesses so many cattle stations; there is no need even to speak of his other wealth. We should turn back home from here and give our sister to this man as his wife.”

After returning home, the brothers sent a messenger to inform the wealthy Brahmin:

“You may come and escort our sister home to become your son’s wife.”

After delivering the message, the envoy returned. When Pippalayana heard the envoy say that the young woman suited his wishes, he thought, “I must now go and see whether that young woman truly possesses virtue and wisdom, as the envoy has said.” Pippalayana went to his parents, knelt, and said:

“Revered parents, my heart truly does not delight in the five desires; I aspire to cultivate the holy life. Yet you have compelled me to establish a household. Therefore, I must now go to that region, begging for alms from place to place, to see whether the young woman is truly as the envoy described.”

His parents said:

“If you deem the time suitable, you may go as you wish.”

The young man then took leave of his native village and traveled from place to place seeking alms until he gradually reached Kalavika. According to the custom of that country, whenever a sramana or Brahmin came seeking alms, a daughter of the household would personally bring out food and present it. Bhaddha therefore brought food from the house and placed it directly into the young visitor’s hands. When Pippalayana saw her, he thought, “This must be Bhaddha.” After personally giving him the food, she bowed at his feet, withdrew, and stood to one side.

The young man asked:

“Worthy virtuous maiden, have you already been betrothed to anyone?”

She replied:

“Worthy young sir, in the kingdom of Magadha there is a village named Mahakappa. In that region is a Brahmin settlement, within which lives an exceedingly wealthy Brahmin named Nyagrodhakalpa. This Brahmin has a son named Pippalayana. My parents have promised me to that young man.”

Pippalayana replied to Bhaddha:

“Virtuous maiden, I have heard that the young man’s heart does not delight in the five desires and that he wishes only to cultivate the holy life.”

She then said to the young man:

“I am truly delighted, for I too do not delight in the five desires and wish only to cultivate the holy life. My parents’ promise to give me in marriage accords with worldly intentions; I truly do not desire it. Since my parents now compel me, I am merely conforming to worldly convention by becoming betrothed to that young man.”

Hearing this, Pippalayana asked her:

“Worthy virtuous maiden, have you ever seen Pippalayana before?”

She replied:

“Virtuous young sir, I have never met him.”

The young man then said to her:

“Virtuous maiden, I myself am Pippalayana. I truly do not delight in the five desires; in my heart, I wish only to cultivate the holy life. A wife and children are the desire of my parents and relatives. It was my parents who compelled me to take you as my wife.”

Hearing this, Bhaddha said to the young man:

“Excellent, worthy young sir! I am exceedingly joyful to hear these words. If you are indeed determined not to delight in the five desires, please do not delay. Come quickly to escort me away, lest some other worldly man who does not practice the holy life seek me as his wife.”

Having heard this, Pippalayana returned home, went before his parents, knelt low, and said:

“Revered parents, I truly do not delight in the five desires of the world and wish only to cultivate the holy life. Yet since you wish to arrange a wife for me, you must quickly bring the bride home.”

Pippalayana’s parents then entered into a marriage agreement with the great Brahmin Kapila and presented the required betrothal wealth. They prepared every kind of fine and delicious food and drink, priceless jeweled necklaces, exquisite garments, and other gifts. Selecting an auspicious day and month, they brought abundant treasure as the betrothal offering and escorted Bhaddha Kapilani home to be united with their son.

After the bride had been brought home, two beds were prepared in one room, and the young man and bride stayed there. Yet both restrained body and mind and never touched or defiled one another.

When Pippalayana’s parents learned of this, they reasoned, “The two young people stay in the same room yet never touch one another. What method can we use to bring them close together? If we remove one bed and leave only one, they will have to sleep together and will naturally come into contact.”

Yet the two still did not touch. Whenever Pippalayana lay down to sleep, Bhaddha rose and practiced walking meditation. Whenever Bhaddha lay down to sleep, Pippalayana rose and practiced walking meditation. In this way, many years passed, and the two never once lay down to sleep together.