History of Buddhism-Buddhism

King Kosala asking the blessed one

Comment July 18, 2016

King Kosala asking the blessed one whether he admit himself to be the Buddha

34. King Kosala asking the blessed one whether he admit himself to be the Buddha

The Buddha was dwelling at the Jetavana Monastery after his first arrival at Savatthi upon the invitation of Anathapindika, the Millionaire. At that time King Kosala came to the Buddha and asked “Venerable Gotama, do you also admit that you are the all-knowing Buddha?” The Blessed One replied, “If you call any person as Buddha, you will be calling it correctly only if you call me so”.
King Kosala then said. “Even elderly teachers of sects such as Purana Kassapa, Makkhali Gosala, Nigantha Nataputta, Sanjaya Belatthaputta, Pakudha Kaccayana, Ajita Kesakambala, do not admit themselves to be the Buddha. Why should you Venerable Gotama, since you are younger than those teachers, admit that you are the Buddha?” The Buddha said, “A Prince, a fire, a snake and a virtuous monk should not be treated lightly with disrespect though small”.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
King Kosala asking the heretical teachers

Comment July 16, 2016

King Kosala asking the heretical teachers if any of them claim to be the Buddha

33. King Kosala asking the heretical teachers if any of them claim to be the Buddha

Even before the Blessed One had attained the Supreme Enlightenment of a Buddha, there were six heretical teachers who wandered about towns and villages and deceived many people by professing themselves to be Buddhas. When they arrived at Savatthi, the ministers who had faith in these wandering ascetics informed King Kosala that their teachers were all Buddhas. King Kosala said to the ministers, “Please invite your teachers yourselves and bring them to this palace”.

When these heretical teachers arrived at the palace, they dared not sit upon the magnificent seat of the king and some of them sat upon the floor, while others sat on the carpets. The King saw how they were seated and guessed that none of them could be the Buddha. He asked them a direct question, “Do you admit that you are the Buddha or deny it?” They frankly admitted, “We are not the Buddha”. They were then allowed to leave the palace in peace.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
Dedication ceremony of the Jetavana monastery by Anathapindika

Comment July 12, 2016

Dedication ceremony of the Jetavana monastery by Anathapindika, the millionaire

32. Dedication ceremony of the Jetavana monastery by Anathapindika, the millionaire

The Buddha was dwelling in Rajagaha, at the end of the first rainy season. Now, Anathapindika, the Millionaire, arrived in Rajagaha in connection with business. He heard that the Blessed One had attained the Supreme Wisdom of a Buddha, and had a strong desire to go to Him that very night, but could not do so. He went to bed with his thoughts fixed on the Blessed One. His faith in the Buddha was so intense that he could not sleep well and was between waking and sleeping, when a light emanated from his body. Thinking it to be daylight he went to where the Blessed One was.

When he met the Buddha, he was established in the first holy stage of the Ariyan Path. He came back, at once, to Savatthi and looked for a site to build a monastery, and found a park belonging to Prince Jeta, in a very quiet place, well connected with roads and neither too near nor too far from the town. He bought this park covering the whole site with gold coins and erected the famous Jetavana Monastery at great cost. He donated it to the Buddha and his many disciples after inviting them to come over from Rajagaha.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
The Buddha converting Saccaka, the ascetic

Comment July 10, 2016

The Buddha converting Saccaka, the ascetic, who came to match his doctrine with that of the Buddha

31. The Buddha converting Saccaka, the ascetic, who came to match his doctrine with that of the Buddha

There was in Vesali an ascetic called Saccaka, well-versed in a variety of dogmas and philosophies. He was a teacher of the princes. As he had humiliated many heretical teachers of the day, he was planning to defeat also the Blessed One in argument. He met the Venerable Assaji one day and came to know about the doctrine of the Blessed One. He therefore came to the Buddha in order to have a debate on the doctrine. A great crowd came to watch the results of the debate.
During the debate, the Blessed One said, “Matter or form is insubstantial (that is, there is no such thing as a creative soul)”. The ascetic refuted it by saying “There is a creative soul”. The Blessed One then said, If there is a creative soul, why does it not create a beautiful form?” The hermit could not rebut it and sat quietly. The Buddha asked him for the second time and he still kept quiet. Now Sakka, lord of the gods, came and, assuming the form of a huge demon, threatened to strike him with his celestial weapon. When he was questioned for the third time he admitted that “matter or form is insubstantial”.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
Mahapajapati Gotami begging permission

Comment July 9, 2016

Mahapajapati Gotami begging permission for women to be admitted into the order as nuns

30. Mahapajapati Gotami begging permission for women to be admitted into the order as nuns

The Buddha was dwelling at Kapilavatthu in Banyan Park Monastery.Maha-pajapati Gotami approached the Buddha along with five hundred women of the Sakya clan, and begged permission for women to be admitted into the Order as Nuns. The Buddha refused permission saying, ‘Enough, O Gotami, do not ask that women be admitted into the Order as Nuns”. She went away sorrowful and sad.

Later, when the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesali, Mahapajapati Gotami had her hair cut off, put on yellow garments and with five hundred of Sakya women followed to Vaseli. She dared not enter the monastery grounds and stood outside the porch. Now the Venerable Ananda saw her standing there, and went to the Buddha and asked several times for permission to admit women into the Order as Nuns. At last, the Blessed One gave the permission and women were admitted to the Order. Thus an Order of Nunswas founded.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
Venerable Ananda reciting Ratana Sutta Paritta

Comment July 8, 2016

Venerable Ananda reciting Ratana Sutta Paritta to relieve the people of Vesali from attacks of famine and pestilence

29. Venerable Ananda reciting Ratana Sutta Paritta to relieve the people of Vesali from attacks of famine and pestilence

There was scarcity of rain at Vesali (modern Besrah) and many people died from the effects of famine which attacked it. The offensive smell from the corpses brought demons and ogres into the town and there were more deaths. To make matters worse, a disease very much like modern plague broke out, and there were still more deaths. The people discussed ways and means of relief from attacks of famine and disease. They eventually agreed to invite the Buddha for that purpose. and requested the Blessed One to come over from Rajagaha together with his retinue of monks. When the Blessed One arrived at Vesali in the royal barge there was a heavy downpour of rain which washed away all the corpses and the town had become clean. On arrival at the city gate the Venerable Ananda learnt the Ratana Sutta Paritta and recited it by walking round the city in between its three walls, and sprinkling the holy water from his bowl now and again while going round the city with the Licchavi Princes accompanying him. Thus, all the evil spirits were driven away from the city which was rendered free from diseases.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
The Buddha welcoming the person who had retired from the world

Comment July 7, 2016

The Buddha welcoming the person who had retired from the world and was to become the Venerable Mahakassapa

28. The Buddha welcoming the person who had retired from the world and was to become the Venerable Mahakassapa

Pippali was destined to become Venerable Mahakassapa who would protect the dispensation of the Dhamma after His death. He was in charge of 14 villages of workmen and a section of the fighting forces. He belonged to a very rich family worth several crores of money and together with his wife retired from home-life to lead a religious life. There was a mighty earth-quake at the place where Pippali parted with his wife on retirement from the world. The Buddha surveyed with His Buddha-eye and saw the cause of the earth-quake.

Immediately thereafter the Buddha went lo the giant banyan tree about 3 gavutas away (about six miles) to welcome Pippali. He then sat at the foot of the tree causing the six resplendent rays of light lo issue forth from His body. Pippali, who later came to be known as Mahakassapa. saw the Blessed One and, coming to this decision: “He indeed is my master”, placed his head upon the feet of the Blessed One and said, “Lord, I am your disciple”. The Buddha often honoured him before the assembly of monks by treating him as a member of the Holy Order of a standing equal to Him.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
Ordination of six princes of the Sakya clan

Comment July 6, 2016

Ordination of six princes of the Sakya clan

27. Ordination of six princes of the Sakya clan

After the attainment of Supreme Buddhaship by the Great Being,Nanda and many other princes of the Sakya clan became monks under the discipline of the Blessed One. It therefore appeared to those households of the same clan, with two or three sons in each family, that they would be failing in their duty if none came forth to be ordained. The two brothers Mahanamaand Anuruddha discussed this subject, and Anuruddha agreed to be ordained.Bhaddiya, who was then a ruling monarch, happened to be an intimate friend of Anuruddha. Anuruddha therefore went to King Bhaddiya and persuaded him to become a monk along with him, and Bhaddiya agreed. Accordingly, seven of them including Ananda, Bhagu, Kimila, Devadatta and Upali, the barber, came to the Buddha. There they made their request that Upali be admitted first, in order that their Sakya pride might be humbled through having their former attendant as their senior. They were then ordained accordingly.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
Rahula following the Buddha and asking for inheritance

Comment July 5, 2016

Rahula following the Buddha and asking for inheritance

26. Rahula following the Buddha and asking for inheritance

While the Buddha was having his meal at his father’s palace. Princess Yasodhara dressed up Rahula properly with ornaments and pointing to the Buddha said, “Behold, son, that great ascetic of majestic appearance in the midst of twenty thousand monks. He is your father. The vases of gold belonging to Him have disappeared since the day he retired from home to homelessness. Go ye and ask for your inheritance so that you may become a Universal Monarch”. Young Rahula, emboldened by the love of a son towards his father, came to His presence and said, “O, father, your shadow is cool and pleasant. I wish to become a Universal Monarch. Please give me my inheritance”. He asked for his inheritance, uttering much else that was becoming. He followed the Buddha when he went back to the monastery asking for inheritance. But the Blessed One made him owner of an inheritance transcending this world, by ordaining him as a samanera (novice) of the Holy Order.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post
Yasodhara reverencing the Buddha

Comment July 3, 2016

Yasodhara reverencing the Buddha by placing her head upon his feet

25. Yasodhara reverencing the Buddha by placing her head upon his feet

The day after his arrival at Kapilavatthu the Buddha went on His alms round. King Suddhodana came and conducted Him to the palace and served Him with food. After the meal there was great excitement in the palace and all but Princess Yasodhara came to pay their reverence to the Buddha. Yasodhara thought, “Certainly if there is any virtue in me, the Noble Lord Himself will come to my presence. Then will I reverence Him as much as I like”.

The Buddha saw that if He did not visit her, Yasodhara would break her heart with grief. So He handed His bowl to the King, and accompanied by His two chief disciples entered the chamber of Yasodhara and sat on the prepared seat, saying, “Let the King’s daughter reverence as she likes”. Swiftly she came, clasped His ankles, and placing her head on His feet, reverenced Him as she like.

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BUDDHISM
by ASHIN JANAKA BHIVAMSA (Aggamahapandita)
Artist: U Ba Kyi | Link to this post