佛本行集經

Chapter 55: THE CAUSES AND CONDITIONS OF UPALI

(Part 3)

Bhikkhus, if you wonder who the young barber was at that time, entertain no other thought: he was this very Upali. In the past, after shaving the hair and beard of a pratyekabuddha, Upali made this vow: “Life after life, whenever I obtain a human body, may I always be born into a barber’s family.” At that time he also vowed: “May I never be born in any evil destiny.” Through the karmic result of the power of that vow, from then until now he has never been born in an evil destiny, but only among devas and humans, enjoying much happiness; and now he has attained such benefit for himself.

He further vowed: “In future lives, may I always encounter such a supremely excellent Teacher. Whatever teachings that Teacher gives, may I swiftly realize and clearly understand them.” As a result of this karma, Upali has now encountered Me, honored Me as his Teacher, gone forth, received full ordination, and attained arhatship.

Furthermore, long ago, within the teaching of Kasyapa Tathagata, he made this vow: “In a future life, may I encounter Sakyamuni Tathagata. If I am able to go forth, may I be foremost among His disciples who uphold the precepts.” Through the karmic result of that vow, he has now gone forth within My teaching; among My disciples who uphold the precepts, he is the bhikkhu foremost in discipline.

Bhikkhus, Upali created such karma in the past and has now received the result of being born into a barber’s family. Moreover, through the causes and conditions of those vows, he has now received the result of going forth within My teaching, receiving full ordination, and attaining arhatship. I now declare: “Among My disciples who uphold the precepts, Upali is foremost in discipline.”

Chapter 56: THE CAUSES AND CONDITIONS OF RAHULA

(Part 1)

One day, King Suddhodana addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One, may the World-Honored One and the great assembly accept my offering of a meal tomorrow morning.”

The World-Honored One silently accepted. Seeing that the Buddha had accepted in silence, King Suddhodana rose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated Him three times, and took his leave.

Upon returning to the inner palace, the king ordered that very night that many exquisite foods and drinks be prepared. When all had been made ready and the night had passed, at daybreak the king had water sprinkled, the grounds swept, and seats arranged. He then sent a messenger to invite the World-Honored One:

“World-Honored One, it is time for the meal. All the offerings have been fully prepared. May the World-Honored One and the great assembly graciously come.”

While the sun was still in the east, the World-Honored One put on His robe, took His alms bowl, and proceeded at the head of the great assembly of bhikkhus to King Suddhodana’s inner palace. Upon arriving, the World-Honored One sat on the seat prepared for Him, while the bhikkhus took their seats in proper order according to the Dharma.

When King Suddhodana saw that the Buddha and the assembly were seated, he personally served them abundant exquisite food and drink, satisfying everyone fully. When he saw that the Buddha and the assembly had finished eating and had washed and put away their bowls, the king took a small seat and sat beside the Buddha, saying:

“May the World-Honored One instruct me. May the World-Honored One, the Well-Gone One, teach us so that we may enjoy abundant benefit and peace for a long time.”

The World-Honored One then said to King Suddhodana:

“Great King, if you know the proper time today, you should not neglect opportunities to hear the Dharma, and you should regularly inquire after the bhikkhus. Before long, Great King, you will attain the supreme fruit.”

The World-Honored One then skillfully taught various Dharma teachings, enabling King Suddhodana to understand and awaken. His heart filled with joy, the king rose, took his leave, and returned to the royal palace.

On another occasion, through Sariputra, the Great King attained the pure Dharma eye and realized the fruit of stream-entry. When King Suddhodana had attained the Dharma, realized the Dharma, entered the Dharma, overcome his doubts, become free of delusion and fear, and no longer had any uncertainty concerning other practices—having personally realized all these things—he went to the Buddha and said:

“Excellent, World-Honored One! May You permit me to renounce household life, go forth, and receive full ordination.”

The World-Honored One then examined the king’s faculties to see whether, by renouncing household life and going forth in His teaching, the king could attain the supreme, excellent Dharma. The World-Honored One reflected and knew: “King Suddhodana cannot renounce household life and go forth, nor can he attain the supreme, excellent Dharma.”

Knowing this, the Buddha said to the king:

“Great King, if you know the proper time today, you should remain a householder, serve as a donor, practice generosity, and create meritorious karma.”

The following day, the chief consort Mahaprajapati again invited the Buddha and the great assembly and offered them the midday meal, providing everything in full.

On the third day, the consorts and attendants of the first palace invited the Buddha and the great assembly and offered them rare delicacies, providing everything in full.

On the fourth day, the attendants of the second palace invited the Buddha and the great assembly and offered them a hundred kinds of exquisite food, providing everything in full.

As for Rahula, he was born six years after the Tathagata went forth. Thus, when the Tathagata returned to the royal palace, Rahula was six years old. When the Tathagata reached Kapilavastu, Rahula’s mother thought: “In the past, I was humiliated by the royal clan because of Rahula. Now the time has come for me to clarify the matter and prove my purity. Therefore, I must invite the Buddha and the great assembly to receive a midday meal, and also invite the royal clan to attend, so that this matter may be made clear.” Having thought thus, Yasodhara sent a messenger the following morning to invite the Buddha, saying:

“World-Honored One, all the food has been fully prepared. May You know that the time has come.”

She also sent messengers to invite all the royal relatives to attend the gathering.

Early that morning, while the sun was still in the east, the Tathagata put on His robe, took His alms bowl, and set out with the great assembly of one thousand two hundred and fifty bhikkhus. He led the way, with the assembly following on both sides, and together they entered the royal palace. The Buddha and the assembly sat in proper order, according to the Dharma, upon the seats that had been arranged.

Yasodhara then made a round sweetmeat and called it the “Great Joy Ball.” She summoned Rahula, placed the sweetmeat in his hand, and told him:

“My son Rahula, go among the bhikkhus and see which one is your father, then offer this ball of joy to him.”

Yasodhara also said to the relatives:

“Today Rahula will seek his father.”

Holding the ball of joy, Rahula looked at all the bhikkhus and then went directly to the Buddha, saying:

“How delightful is the cool shade of this ascetic! How delightful is the cool shade of this ascetic!”

King Suddhodana then addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One, how should this matter be understood? Is Yasodhara at fault in this?”

The World-Honored One said to King Suddhodana:

“Great King, do not harbor such doubts today. Yasodhara is not at fault in this matter. Rahula is truly My son. It was only because obstructive karmic conditions from a previous life that he had to remain in his mother’s womb for six years.”

When King Suddhodana and the royal relatives heard the Buddha speak thus, joy and delight filled their bodies and minds. They personally served exquisite foods and drinks to the Buddha and the bhikkhus. After the Buddha and the assembly had finished eating and had washed their hands and bowls, each member of the royal family spread out a small seat and sat around facing the Buddha.

Because King Suddhodana revered the Buddha so deeply that he could not question Him directly about every matter, he addressed the bhikkhus:

“May the venerable ones ask the Buddha what karmic causes Rahula and Yasodhara created in the past.”

The bhikkhus addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One, what karmic cause did Rahula create? Through what karmic result did he remain in his mother’s womb for six years? World-Honored One, what karmic cause did Yasodhara create that she bore him for six years?”

The World-Honored One told the bhikkhus:

“I recall that immeasurable kalpas ago there was a king named Man-and-Deva, who belonged to the brahmin lineage and had two princes. The elder was named Sun and the younger Moon. The elder prince took no delight in worldly affairs and wished to go forth. Before long, King Man-and-Deva reached the end of his lifespan and died. After the king’s death, the two princes, Sun and Moon, each offered the throne to the other. The elder said to the younger: ‘You must become king, assume the affairs of government, and rule the country.’

“The younger said to his elder brother: ‘You must become king, assume the government, and rule the country.’

“Prince Sun said to Prince Moon: ‘You must become king. I shall renounce household life and go forth.’

“Prince Moon replied to his elder brother: ‘You are the elder, so the throne should be yours. It would not be right for me to take it.’

“Prince Sun again said to Prince Moon: ‘When one assumes the throne, what must one do first?’

“Prince Moon answered: ‘One must first issue decrees.’

“Prince Sun asked: ‘If someone violates a decree, what offense does he commit?’

“Prince Moon answered: ‘He must be severely punished.’

“Prince Sun then said to Prince Moon: ‘According to principle, I should become king. Yet I now give this throne to you. You must become king, for I wish to renounce household life and go forth.’

“Prince Sun then gave the throne to Prince Moon, renounced household life, went forth, and sought the path of cultivation and learning. All of Prince Sun’s attendants followed him into the homeless life.

“The seer Sun then thought: ‘These people have followed me into the homeless life, and I am their teacher. I must therefore cultivate and study diligently, seeking the path more earnestly than they do.’ Having thought thus, the seer made this vow: ‘From this day forward, if something has not been given to me, I will not take it, not even drinking water or a tooth-cleaning stick.’

“One day, the seer Sun forgot his vow and took for his own use roots, medicinal herbs, flowers, and fruits that no one had given him. On another night, the seer grew thirsty. Seeing another person’s water vessel nearby and mistaking it for his own, he drank from it. When the owner found his vessel empty, he asked: ‘Who took the water from my vessel? This is the dwelling of a thief, not the dwelling of a seer.’

“Having drunk the water, the seer Sun saw his own vessel standing nearby, still full. He then said to the other person: ‘I mistakenly drank your water, thinking that it was from my own vessel.’ The other seer told the seer Sun: ‘If you drank it, that is very good. I am most delighted.’

“The seer Sun then reflected with a rightly directed mind: ‘I have violated my former vow. This is unwholesome. Such conduct is not the practice of a seer. Why did I take and use flowers, fruits, herbs, and roots that no one had given me? Why did I take another person’s water and drink it?’ Because of these things, the seer became sorrowful and unhappy, distressed and afflicted. Squatting upon the ground, he reflected with a rightly directed mind and grieved over the matter. His young disciples then came, bowed at his feet, and attended upon him according to the Dharma. The seer told them: ‘Young men, from this day forward you must not bow to me. Why? Because today I have become a thief.’ The young disciples asked: ‘Venerable Preceptor, what happened?’

“The seer Sun told them: ‘Young men, you should know that I took and used another person’s flowers, fruits, medicinal herbs, and roots without their being given to me, and I also took another person’s water and drank it.’

“When the seer had spoken thus, the young men hurriedly replied: ‘Teacher, you should not say such a thing. All that food and drink belongs to the Venerable Preceptor.’

“The seer Sun told them: ‘You should know that it is improper to take for oneself anything another has not given. I took and used medicinal herbs, flowers, fruits, roots, and water from another person’s vessel without their being given to me. Thus I have become a robber. Therefore, you must punish my offense as you would punish a robber.’

“The young men all replied: ‘We dare not judge the Venerable Preceptor’s offense. Your younger brother now rules this country as king, governing the people according to the Dharma as far as the frontiers. Surely your younger brother can judge your offense.’

“The seer then went to the palace of King Moon. King Moon had already heard about the matter and knew that the seer Sun was coming, so he sent the four divisions of his army outside the city to welcome him. When the seer Sun arrived, King Moon bowed at his feet. The seer Sun said to King Moon: ‘Enough! Do not bow at my feet. Why? Because I am now a robber. Great King, please punish my offense as you would punish a robber.’

“The king asked his elder brother, the seer Sun: ‘Noble One, what robbery have you committed today?’

“The seer answered: ‘Great King, you should know that while cultivating in a peaceful and secluded forest, I took and used flowers, fruits, roots, medicinal herbs, and drinking water that others had not given me.’

“When King Moon heard this, he became distressed and anguished. Sobbing and weeping profusely, he thought: ‘From the past until now, the meritorious practices of this seer have been pure and faultless. How could he now have committed an offense deserving punishment?’

“Having thought thus, the king told the seer: ‘I grant the seers permission freely to take flowers, fruits, roots, medicinal herbs, drinking water, and other things for their use. Therefore, all the things the seer took and used belonged to me. Thus the great seer is not a robber and should not be punished.’

“The seer-king Sun then said to King Moon: ‘This decree was issued only today; it did not exist before.’

“The king replied: ‘When I first ascended the throne, I issued this decree: “I give grasses, trees, and drinking water to ascetics and brahmins for them to use as they please.” Therefore, Great Seer, you are not a robber. How could I punish you today?’

“The seer-king again said: ‘Excellent, Great King! Today I have committed an unwholesome offense. I believe this offense cannot be erased, for I drank another person’s water. Therefore, Great King, you must punish me just as you would a robber.’

“At that time, a nephew of King Moon was present in the assembly. He said to King Moon: ‘Great King, the seer is firmly convinced that he is guilty. Do not allow him to remain distressed and anguished.’

“King Moon said to the seer: ‘If that is so, you shall enter my garden and remain there to cultivate.’

“After ordering the seer to stay in the garden, the king forgot about him. Only six days later did he suddenly remember. King Moon hastily summoned his ministers and asked: ‘Ministers, has the seer in the garden come out yet?’

“The ministers replied: ‘Great King, that seer is still in the garden.’

“King Moon then ordered the release of all prisoners throughout the kingdom, including captive birds and beasts. The seer, however, was specially invited to remain and was offered exquisite food and drink. The king said: ‘Great Seer, you may now go wherever you please.’

“After releasing the seer, the king remained uneasy and said: ‘I have committed an offense against this seer. On account of this seer, I have become guilty.’”

The Buddha then told the bhikkhus:

“If you wonder who the seer-king Sun was at that time, entertain no other thought: he was none other than I Myself.

“Bhikkhus, if you wonder who King Moon was at that time, entertain no other thought: he was this very Rahula. Because he confined the seer in the garden for six days, he received the karmic result of undergoing immeasurable suffering amid the afflictions of samsara. As the residual result of that karma, he also had to remain in his mother’s womb for six years.

“Bhikkhus, I recall that immeasurable kalpas ago, the owner of a farm had a herd of cattle. The cattle owner’s wife took her daughter to the herd, milked the cows, and filled two vessels. The mother told her daughter to carry the large vessel, while she carried the small one. When they were halfway home, the mother said to her daughter: ‘Walk quickly! This road is full of dangers and causes great fear.’ The daughter replied: ‘This vessel is too heavy. How can I walk quickly?’ Two or three times, the mother repeated: ‘Walk quickly! This road is filled with many terrors!’

“The daughter thought: ‘Why does she make me carry such a heavy vessel and then urge me to walk quickly?’ Becoming angry, the daughter said to her mother: ‘Mother, please carry this vessel of milk for me as well. I need to relieve myself for a moment.’

“The mother took the large vessel of milk and carried it together with the other, while the daughter followed slowly behind. The mother carried both heavy vessels of milk for six krosas.”

The Buddha then told the bhikkhus:

“If you wonder who the angry daughter was who made her mother carry the heavy vessel of milk for six krosas, entertain no other thought: she was this Sakyan woman Yasodhara. At that time she made her mother carry the heavy vessel of milk for six krosas. As the karmic result of that act, she underwent immeasurable suffering amid the afflictions of samsara. As the residual result of that karma, she has now carried a child in her womb for six years.

“Bhikkhus, no karmic result is received by mere chance. According to the wholesome or unwholesome karma one creates, one receives its result in return.

“Therefore, bhikkhus, you must abandon evil karma of body, speech, and mind. Why? Because wholesome and unwholesome causes and conditions arise through body, speech, and mind. You have now seen such wholesome and unwholesome karmic results, and therefore you must cultivate wholesome karma.”

The World-Honored One then proclaimed the wondrous Dharma for King Suddhodana and the royal family, instructing and guiding them so that the king rejoiced. The World-Honored One then rose from His seat and returned to His dwelling.

Yasodhara then told Rahula to go to the World-Honored One and ask Him for his inheritance. Rahula followed the Buddha, saying as he walked:

“Ascetic, please give me my inheritance! Ascetic, please give me my inheritance!”

The World-Honored One extended a finger for Rahula to hold. Rahula took the Buddha’s finger and walked beside Him. When the World-Honored One had brought Rahula to the secluded forest, He called to Sariputra:

“Sariputra, take Rahula and ordain him.”

Sariputra addressed the Buddha:

“I shall follow the Buddha’s instruction.”

Obeying the Buddha, Sariputra ordained Rahula. When the World-Honored One established disciplinary precepts for the bhikkhus, Rahula rejoiced greatly in receiving them and observed them in accordance with the Dharma. Why was this? Because the teaching accorded with his disposition. Following the Buddha’s instructions, Sariputra accepted the command to train Rahula.

At that time, many good men attained right faith and right view. Why? Because they wished to go forth, cultivate the holy life, and seek the unsurpassed path. They obtained benefit and personally realized the Dharma. Having realized it themselves, they proclaimed: “The outflows are exhausted, the holy life has been established, what had to be done has been done, and there will be no further existence.” Rahula likewise personally realized the nature of his mind and attained right liberation. The World-Honored One then confirmed his attainment:

“Bhikkhus, you should know that among My sravaka disciples who uphold the precepts, Rahula is foremost.”

(The above is the account of the masters belonging to the Mahasamghika school.)

The Kasyapiya school gives this account:

When King Suddhodana had finished preparing the food, he summoned the members of the inner palace and commanded them:

“None of you is to tell Rahula that the World-Honored One is his father.”

Why? Because the king feared that if Rahula learned this, he would follow his father into the homeless life.

That night, King Suddhodana had all the exquisite foods and drinks fully prepared. The next morning, just as the sun rose, he had the seats arranged, sent Rahula and the other boys and girls to play in the Asoka Grove, and at the same time dispatched a messenger to address the Buddha:

“The time for the midday meal has arrived, and the food and drink have been arranged. May the World-Honored One know that the time has come.”

While the sun was still in the east, the World-Honored One put on His robe, took His alms bowl, and proceeded at the head of the bhikkhus who followed behind Him. Together they went to King Suddhodana’s palace and, upon arriving, sat in the order in which the seats had been arranged.

Rahula saw the boys and girls walking about, joking, laughing, and behaving disorderly, while even their nurses could not restrain them. Laughing and playing together, they gradually made their way from the Asoka Grove into the royal palace. When they saw the World-Honored One and the great assembly of bhikkhus, they bowed to them. After bowing, they hurried upstairs. Rahula’s mother was already standing there. When she saw the World-Honored One with His hair and beard shaven and His body clothed in the kasaya robe, she became sorrowful and shed tears.

A verse says:

The newly wedded wife of the great Sakyan king,
Was known by the name Yasodhara.
Seeing her husband bearing the marks of one gone forth,
She grieved and wept, her heart filled with anguish.

Rahula then asked his mother:

“Holy mother, why are you grieving and weeping so?”

Yasodhara said to Rahula:

“The one among the ascetics whose body is the color of pure gold is your father.”

Rahula again asked his mother:

“From the time of my birth until today, I have never thought of that Noble One. Why, upon suddenly seeing Him now, do I feel such peace and happiness?”

Having said this, Rahula hurried down from the upper floor toward the Buddha and hid within the fold of His robe. The bhikkhus wished to stop him, but the Buddha told them:

“Bhikkhus, do not prevent him. Let him stand within My robe.”

When King Suddhodana saw that the Buddha and the Sangha had taken their seats in order, he personally served rare delicacies to the Buddha and the Sangha. All received a full meal.

After the World-Honored One had eaten and washed His bowl and hands, the king took a small seat and sat beside Him. The World-Honored One then pronounced verses of blessing for the Great King:

After the World-Honored One had recited these verses for King Suddhodana, He rose from His seat and departed at ease.

Afterward, King Suddhodana went about inspecting various affairs. Rahula had already followed the World-Honored One, but upon leaving the palace he wished to return. The World-Honored One extended a finger for Rahula to hold. At that moment, Rahula felt peace and comfort throughout half his body. Like a bird whose leg was bound by a cord, he could not draw away. Leaning thus against the World-Honored One, Rahula went with Him to the Nigrodha Grove.

The World-Honored One then asked Rahula:

“Rahula, are you able to follow the World-Honored One and go forth?”

Rahula replied:

“World-Honored One, I am indeed able to go forth.”

The World-Honored One told the bhikkhus:

“I now wish Rahula to renounce household life and go forth, with Sariputra serving as his preceptor.”

The bhikkhus thought: “In the past, the World-Honored One repeatedly taught us that anyone under twenty years of age may not receive full ordination. Rahula is now only fifteen. Should we act according to the Buddha’s former teaching, or should we proceed differently?” Having this thought, they reported the matter to the Buddha.

The Buddha then told the bhikkhus:

“Bhikkhus, you should know that one who goes forth at the age of fifteen may only become a novice.”

Having received the Buddha’s instruction, the bhikkhus ordained Rahula and asked Sariputra to serve as his preceptor.

After King Suddhodana had seen the World-Honored One, the bhikkhus, and their attendants depart, he sat down to eat. The king then told his attendants:

“Tell Rahula to come and eat with me.”

The attendants searched everywhere but could not find Rahula. They returned and reported everything to the king:

“Great King, your servants have searched for Rahula, but we do not know where the boy is.”

King Suddhodana told them:

“You should go to the Asoka Grove and search through the palaces. Look for him in those places.”

The attendants immediately went to the Asoka Grove and through the palaces, but they still could not find Rahula. They returned and reported to the king:

“Great King, your servants searched those places but did not find him.”

King Suddhodana then commanded:

“Go quickly to the Nigrodha Grove. Perhaps the World-Honored One took him away to ordain him, and that is why he left.”

Hearing the king’s command, the attendants hastened to the Nigrodha Grove. After searching everywhere, they found that the World-Honored One had ordained Rahula. Seeing this, they hurried back to the palace and reported to King Suddhodana:

“Great King, you should know that the World-Honored One has now ordained Rahula.”

When King Suddhodana heard this, he collapsed unconscious upon the ground. Only after a long time did he regain consciousness. He hurried out of the city and went to the Nigrodha Grove. Upon arriving, the king bowed at the Buddha’s feet, sat to one side, and addressed Him:

“World-Honored One, when You still lived at home, the brahmin astrologers once predicted: ‘If the World-Honored One remains a householder, He will become a wheel-turning sage-king.’ Today the World-Honored One has renounced household life and gone forth. After You went forth, I thought: ‘I shall soon transmit the throne to Nanda.’ Later, the World-Honored One caused Nanda to go forth as well. After Nanda went forth, I thought: ‘I shall appoint Ananda to succeed to the throne.’ Later, the World-Honored One also led him away to go forth.

After Ananda went forth, I thought: ‘I must appoint Aniruddha to inherit the throne.’ Later, the World-Honored One led him away to go forth as well. After Aniruddha went forth, I thought: ‘Bhadrika will succeed to the throne.’ Later, the World-Honored One also took him away to go forth. Until now, my only remaining hope was Rahula, to whom I intended to give the throne, yet the World-Honored One has led him away to go forth as well.

By taking Rahula away and ordaining him, has the World-Honored One not severed my royal lineage?

“Furthermore, World-Honored One, this is not the only concern. A parent’s loving attachment to a child penetrates the skin and flesh, the sinews, bones, and marrow. Therefore, World-Honored One, from this day forward, please establish this rule: ‘If anyone wishes to go forth and become a bhikkhu, he must be instructed to seek his parents’ permission. Only after his parents have consented may he be allowed to go forth.’”

The World-Honored One then said to King Suddhodana:

“I do not oppose such a request. I shall certainly instruct them to do this.”

Having spoken thus, the World-Honored One explained the meaning of the Dharma to King Suddhodana, bringing him joy and increasing his spiritual strength, so that the king rejoiced all the more. When King Suddhodana was filled with joy, he rose from his seat, bowed at the Buddha’s feet, circumambulated Him three times, took leave of the World-Honored One, and returned to the royal palace.

On account of this event, the World-Honored One assembled the bhikkhus and said:

“Bhikkhus, you should know that it is exceedingly difficult for children to repay their parents’ kindness. Why? Parents do what is difficult to do: they introduce their children into the world, nurture the skandhas so that their children may be born, nurse them, and raise them to adulthood.

Therefore, from this day forward, if any faithful good man or woman seeks to go forth, you must first instruct that person to obtain permission from his or her parents, and only afterward may you confer ordination. If the parents do not consent and a bhikkhu nevertheless ordains that person, he shall be dealt with according to the Dharma. From this day forward I establish this rule: Whenever a person comes seeking to go forth, first ask: ‘Are your parents still alive or have they passed away?’ If the person replies: ‘My parents are still alive,’ ask further: ‘Have your parents permitted you to go forth?’”

Concerning Rahula, there are differing accounts:

Some say that the bodhisattva went forth when Rahula was two years old, practiced austerities for six years, and only afterward attained awakening.

Others say that the bodhisattva returned to Kapilavastu seven years after attaining awakening, with subsequent events occurring in the order related above. The accounts generally state that Rahula went forth at the age of fifteen.

Still others say that when his foster mother Mahaprajapati saw the bodhisattva go forth, she became distressed and afflicted, crying and grieving until both her eyes became blind. Twelve years after the bodhisattva attained unsurpassed, complete and perfect awakening and became the Buddha, the World-Honored One returned to Kapilavastu in order to show compassion to His relatives. At that time, King Suddhodana proceeded at the head of the assembly, surrounded and escorted by all the members of the inner palaces. In this way, ninety-nine thousand members of the Sakyan clan went together to pay homage to the Buddha.

Mahaprajapati Gautami was also present in this assembly and went to the Buddha’s dwelling because she wished to see Rahula. At that time, the Tathagata simultaneously manifested two kinds of supernormal power. Mahaprajapati Gautami heard others say: “Your son is now displaying supernormal powers: the upper half of His body emits flames, while the lower half pours forth cool water...” Hearing this, she became so overjoyed and delighted throughout her entire body that she could not restrain herself, and she went to the Buddha. Upon arriving, she reverently bowed to the Buddha, took the water pouring from His body, sprinkled it upon herself, and washed her face.

Out of loving compassion for Mahaprajapati, the World-Honored One caused her entire body to experience bliss. Her blind eyes immediately regained sight, clearer than before, and her reverence for the Buddha increased still further. The bhikkhus then addressed the Buddha:

“How extraordinary, World-Honored One! Why was it that Mahaprajapati Gautami formerly grieved and suffered on account of the World-Honored One, weeping sorrowfully until both her eyes became blind, yet now, also because of the World-Honored One, her eyes have regained their sight?”

The World-Honored One then told the bhikkhus:

“Bhikkhus, it was not only in this life that Mahaprajapati Gautami grieved and wept on My account until both her eyes became blind, and then also on My account regained her sight. In a past life as well, she grieved and wept on My account until both her eyes became blind; afterward, likewise because of Me, her eyes regained their sight.”

The bhikkhus then addressed the Buddha:

“World-Honored One, how did this come about? May the World-Honored One relate the story!”