The Awakened One by Sherab Chödzin Kohn

Author:Sherab Chödzin Kohn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shambhala

6

Establishing the Dharma

THE BUDDHA SPENT the next two rainy seasons, the second and third after his enlightenment, at the Venuvana. When that third rainy season was over but the Blessed One had not yet begun his year’s wanderings, a wealthy merchant from Rajagriha came to visit the community. Up to this time, the Buddha had never said anything about housing for the monks. They lived outdoors, under thick foliage where trees grew close together, in whatever habitable caves could be found, or under rocks—taking advantage of any natural shelter.

The merchant had great respect for the monks because they were mindful and controlled and carried themselves with modest grace. He felt bad seeing them living under rough conditions, so he went up to a group of them and asked them if they would live in shelters if he had them built. The monks replied, “The Tathagata has never said anything about permitting shelters.”

“In that case, lords,” said the merchant, “kindly ask the Tathagata about it and tell me what he says.”

The monks brought the matter to the Buddha, and he gave his permission for the monks to live in shelters. The merchant immediately had a large number of huts and shelters built. Then he also invited the Buddha and the community to his house for the next day’s meal. At the end of the meal, the merchant formally donated the shelters to the Sangha.

The merchant’s brother-in-law was also a wealthy merchant. He came from Shravasti, the capital of the Koshalan kingdom to the north. His name was Sudatta, but he was generally called Anathapindada (Giver to the Defenseless) because of his great charity. On the day before the Buddha was to come, Anathapindada noticed that his brother-in-law was extremely busy giving orders to his servants about something, while he himself was being virtually ignored. He questioned his brother-in-law, who explained that the next day he was to be host to the Buddha and the Sangha.

When Anathapindada heard the word Buddha, he made his brother-in-law repeat it three times. That a buddha existed, a fully awakened one, and that he was nearby, became a fact so large in Anathapindada’s mind that he could scarcely contain himself. He wanted to rush out to the Venuvana and see the Buddha immediately. But his brother-in-law convinced him that it was the wrong time to go and he should wait until the next day.

Anathapindada kept waking up during the night thinking it was already dawn. Well before daybreak, he ran out of patience. He stole quietly from the house and began making his way toward the Venuvana. It was a very dark night, and he did not know the way. Fright overtook him as he moved through the streets. When he came to the city walls, the gate opened and closed by itself. He found himself standing on the road, his skin crawling with terror. The fear was so great he could hardly take a step. He was tempted to run back to his brother-in-law’s house but was not quite ready to give up.

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