Agama And Tripitaka Comparative Study

SR No.: 022804
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nagaraj Muni
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Printers and Publishers
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 804
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

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Uddäk-Rāmputra from whom he learnt the art of total absorption (samādhi). But after some time, he realised that this was not the path to sambodhi, Samādhi appeared to him to be a very inadequate tool for sambodhi. So, in order to display his energy and powers to all men and gods, and to acquire the highest truth, he came to Urūvelā. The place was delightful and he liked it. He stayed on at this place and started his exertions.
Five Parivrājaka monks, including Kaundinya, who walked through villages and towns and capital-cities begging their food, came where the Buddha was to felt that this new monk was soon going to be enlightened. So they had come. For ful six years, they lived with him, served him in all manners and waited eagerly for the day when he would become the Buddha. During these years, the Buddha practised severest penances living only on sesamum and rice. On many occasions, he observed a complete fast when he did not even touch these. On these occasions, to save his life, the gods poured energy into his body through his poreholes, but as he did not take food, he became very weak. He lost his golden complexion and became blackish. The 32 marks of greatness on his body became invisible, (He had become so weak that) one day, when he had controlled his respirations and was in meditation, he fell senseless on an altar named Cańkramana. Some of the devas said,
'Sramana Gautma is dead'
The Buddha realised that even severe penances were not the way to attaining Sambodhi. So, once again, he started begging food from villages and market-places and ate freely. The golden hue of his body was restored. The aforesaid Parivrājaka monks thought,
'Despite very hard penances for six years, this fellow could not become a Buddha, Now that he accepts food from villages and other places, how does he aspire to attain his goal? He has become greedy, and has slipped from the har d path of penance, What purpose will be served if we still continue to follow him? (The sooner we give him up, the better for us'.)