shall tell the other one.
Once Sariputta saw monk Assaji begging for alms who was modestly keeping his eyes to the ground and was dignified in manners. Sariputta exclaimed, “Truly this monk has entered the right path; I will ask him in whose name he has retired from the world and what doctrine he professes.”
Being addressed by Sariputta, Assaji replied, “I am a follower of the Buddha, the Blessed One, but being a novice I can tell you the substance only of the doctrine.”
Sariputta exclaimed, “Tell me! It is the substance I want.”
Then Assaji recited this stanza:
Nothing we seek to touch or see
Can represent Eternity.
They spoil and die: then let us find
Eternal Truth within the mind.
Having heard this stanza, Sariputta said, “Now I see clearly, whatsoever is subject to origination is also subject to cessation. If this be the doctrine, I have reached the state to enter the path of liberation which before has remained hidden from me.”
Then Sariputta went to Moggallana and told him about the Buddha’s teachings, and both decided to go to the Blessed One.
When the Buddha saw Sariputta and Moggallana coming from afar, he said to his disciples, “These two monks are highly auspicious.” The two friends had taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha and became loyal and virtuous disciples.
19. ANATHAPINDIKA
One of the Buddha’s most devout followers was a wealthy merchant named Sudatta. He was famous for his donations to the hungry and homeless and became known as Anathapindika (friend of the poor).
Anathapindika lived in Sravastti and one day he traveled to Rajagraha to visit his brother-in-law. The household was so busy with preparations for a feast that Anathapindika failed to get his usual warm welcome.
“What is the big occasion?” Anathapindika asked his brother-in-law, “Are you preparing for a great wedding or perhaps a visit from the king?”
“No,” his brother-in-law responded. “The Buddha and his monks are coming for a meal tomorrow.”
Just hearing the word “Buddha” filled Anathapindika with such joy that he could hardly contain himself and said, “You mean that a fully enlightened being has arisen in the world? How wonderful! Take me to meet him”.
Anathapindika wanted to go straight away but he was persuaded that it was too late and that it would be better to do so the next morning. That night Anathapindika was so excited that he could hardly sleep. Eventually, thinking that the sun would be rising soon, Anathapindika set off to meet the Buddha, but as he entered the outskirts of the city and it was still dark, he became frightened and decided to turn back. Suddenly, a friendly spirit appeared illuminating the whole area and urged him to continue. “Walk on! To move forward is better for you than to turn back.” Encouraged by these words, Anathapindika continued and soon came across the Buddha walking up and down in the early morning light. The Buddha saw Anathapindika hesitating to come closer and he beckoned him. “Come forward, Sudatta.” Astonished that the Buddha would know his real name and awed by the great man’s presence, Anathapindika hurried forward and bowed at the Buddha’s feet. The two men talked together for a while and as the sun came up; Anathapindika understood the essence of the Dharma.
Anathapindika then asked the Buddha if he could offer him a meal the next day and the Buddha accepted. All during the day he thought how wonderful it would be if the Buddha could come to Savatthi and how many people would benefit from this visit. Consequently, the next day, after the Buddha had finished his meal, Anathapindika asked him if he would come and visit Sravastti. The Buddha agreed, adding, “Enlightened ones prefer to stay in peaceful places”. Anathapindika responded, “I fully understand, Master.”
When Anathapindika finished his business in Rajagraha, he set out for Sravastti. And as soon as he arrived he began to make preparations for the Buddha’s arrival. To start, he had to find a suitable place for the Buddha and his monks to stay, near the city but not too noisy. The best place proved to be a park about one kilometre south-west from the walls of Sravastti, owned by Prince Jeta. Anathapindika approached the prince and asked him if he wanted to sell his park. The prince declined. Anathapindika insisted, but Prince Jeta reiterated that he was not interested in selling.
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