24.5 （五）神足化

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was at the Bodhi tree in the country of Magadha, having just attained Buddhahood.

At that time, the World-Honored One had this thought: "I have now attained this profound Dharma, which is difficult to understand, difficult to comprehend, difficult to realize, and difficult to know. It is extremely subtle and can only be realized by the wise. Whom should I teach this Dharma to first? Who can understand my Dharma?" At that time, the World-Honored One had this thought: "The faculties of Rahula are mature and he should be the first to be liberated. Moreover, he is waiting for me to have the Dharma." Having had this thought, a god in the sky said to the World-Honored One: "Rahula died seven days ago."

At that time, the World-Honored One had this thought: "How painful! He did not hear my Dharma before passing away. If he had heard my Dharma, he would have been liberated." At that time, the World-Honored One had this thought: "Whom should I teach the Dharma to first, so that they may be liberated? Now Udraka Ramaputra should be the first to be liberated. I shall teach him. Having heard my Dharma, he will be liberated first." The World-Honored One had this thought, and a god in the sky said: "He passed away last night at midnight." At that time, the World-Honored One had this thought: "How painful for Udraka Ramaputra! He did not hear my Dharma before passing away. If he had heard my Dharma, he would have been liberated.

At that time, the World-Honored One had this thought: "Who will hear the Dharma first and be liberated?" At that time, the World-Honored One further contemplated: "The five bhikshus have been of great benefit to me. They followed me when I was born." At that time, the World-Honored One had this thought: "Where are the five bhikshus now?" He then used his divine eye to see that the five bhikshus were staying in the deer park of the sage Udraka Ramaputra in Varanasi. "I shall now go to first teach the Dharma to the five bhikshus. Having heard my Dharma, they will be liberated.

At that time, the World-Honored One gazed at the Bodhi tree for seven days without blinking. At that time, the World-Honored One spoke this verse:

Here I sat, experiencing the sufferings of birth and death, wielding
the axe of wisdom to forever sever the root of rebirth
The heavenly kings came here, as well as the demons and
their followers, and I further subdued them with skillful means, causing
them to wear the crown of liberation. Now, under this tree
sitting on the vajra seat, I have attained omniscience and attained
unobstructed wisdom. I sat under this tree, seeing the sufferings of
birth and death, and have already removed the root of death
with old age and sickness forever gone.

At that time, after the World-Honored One spoke this verse, he immediately rose from his seat and left, wishing to go to the country of Varanasi.

At that time, the brahmin Upagupta saw from afar the World-Honored One's radiant appearance, eclipsing the brightness of the sun and moon. Having seen this, he said to the World-Honored One, "Gautama! Where is your teacher now? From whom did you go forth to study the path? What teachings do you always delight in speaking? Where do you come from? Where are you going?"

At that time, the World-Honored One spoke this verse to the brahmin:

I have attained arahantship, unsurpassed in the world. Among gods and humans
I am now the foremost. I have no teacher or protector, and
none equal to me. I am the sole honored one, without surpasser
cool and no longer warm. Now I shall turn the wheel of
the Dharma, going to the land of Kashi. Now with the medicine
of ambrosia, I shall open the eyes of the blind and ignorant
In the land of Varanasi, the territory of King Kashi, where the
five bhikshus reside, I wish to speak the subtle Dharma. May they
quickly attain the path and attain the supernormal knowledge of the exhaustion
of taints, eliminating the fundamental evil dharmas. Therefore, I am the most excellent one.

At that time, the brahmin sighed in admiration, bowed his head with palms joined, snapped his fingers and smiled, leading the way as they departed.

At that time, the World-Honored One went to Varanasi. At that time, the five bhikshus saw the World-Honored One coming from afar. Having seen him, they discussed among themselves, "This is the Shakyamuni Gautama coming from afar, with a confused nature and an undistracted mind. We should not speak to him, nor should we rise to greet him, nor should we invite him to sit down."

At that time, the five people spoke this verse:

This person is not worthy of respect, nor should we look at him with
affection. Do not call him 'welcome,' nor should we invite him to sit down.

At that time, after the five people spoke this verse, they all remained silent. Then the World-Honored One gradually approached the five bhikshus. At that time, the five bhikshus gradually got up to welcome him, some offering seats, some offering water. Then the World-Honored One went forward and sat down, thinking: "These are foolish people, they cannot keep their original promise." At that time, the five bhikshus addressed the World-Honored One as "you." Then the World-Honored One said to the five bhikshus: "You should not address the unsurpassed, truly awakened, and perfectly enlightened one as 'you.' Because I have now attained unsurpassed, true, perfect enlightenment, and have obtained the nectar of the good. Listen attentively to my Dharma words.

At that time, the five bhikshus said to the World-Honored One: "Gautama! When you were practicing austerities before, you still could not attain the Dharma of the superior person. How much less so now, with your mind confused, do you claim to have attained the Way?"

The World-Honored One said: "How is it, five people! Have you ever heard me speak falsely?"

The five bhikshus said: "No, Gautama!"

The World-Honored One said: "The Tathāgata, the Arhat, the Perfectly Enlightened One has already attained the nectar. You all should concentrate your minds and listen to my teaching." At that time, the World-Honored One again had this thought: "I am now able to subdue these five people."

At that time, the World-Honored One told the five bhikshus: "You should know that there are these four truths. What are the four? The truth of suffering, the truth of the origin of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering. What is meant by the truth of suffering? Namely, the suffering of birth, the suffering of old age, the suffering of sickness, the suffering of death, the suffering of sorrow, grief, and distress, the suffering of worries and anxieties, the suffering of not being able to obtain what one desires, in short, the suffering of the five aggregates. This is called the truth of suffering.

What is meant by the truth of the origin of suffering? Namely, the part of craving that is experienced, the constant practice of it, and the constant attachment to it. This is called the truth of the origin of suffering.

What is meant by the truth of the cessation of suffering? Namely, the complete cessation of craving without remainder, and not giving rise to it again. This is called the truth of the cessation of suffering.

What is meant by the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering? Namely, the eightfold noble path, namely, right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. This is called the Dharma of the Four Noble Truths.

Moreover, O five bhikṣus! As for these four noble truths, the truth of suffering gives rise to the eye, knowledge, insight, awakening, light, and wisdom, which have not been heard before. Furthermore, the truth of suffering is real, certain, not false or deluded, and will never be different. Because it is spoken by the World-Honored One, it is called the truth of suffering. The truth of the origin of suffering gives rise to the eye, knowledge, insight, awakening, light, and wisdom, which have not been heard before. Furthermore, the truth of the origin of suffering is real, certain, not false or deluded, and will never be different. Because it is spoken by the World-Honored One, it is called the truth of the origin of suffering. The truth of the cessation of suffering gives rise to the eye, knowledge, insight, awakening, light, and wisdom, which have not been heard before. Furthermore, the truth of the cessation of suffering is real, certain, not false or deluded, and will never be different. Because it is spoken by the World-Honored One, it is called the truth of the cessation of suffering. The truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering gives rise to the eye, knowledge, insight, awakening, light, and wisdom, which have not been heard before. Furthermore, the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering is real, certain, not false or deluded, and will never be different. Because it is spoken by the World-Honored One, it is called the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering.

O five bhikṣus, you should know that these four noble truths, with their three turns and twelve aspects, if not truly understood, one cannot attain unsurpassed perfect enlightenment. Because I have discerned these four noble truths with their three turns and twelve aspects, and truly understood them, therefore I have attained unsurpassed perfect enlightenment.

At that time, when this Dharma was spoken, Ajnatakauṇḍinya's defilements were completely eliminated and he attained the purity of the Dharma eye.

"At that time, the World-Honored One said to Kauṇḍinya, "Have you now attained the Dharma and realized the Dharma?

Kauṇḍinya replied, "Yes, World-Honored One! I have attained the Dharma and realized the Dharma."

At that time, the Earth Deity, having heard these words, proclaimed, "Now the Tathāgata, in the country of Vārāṇasī, turns the wheel of the Dharma. What cannot be turned by devas, humans, Māra, or Māra's followers, or by humans or non-humans, today the Tathāgata turns this wheel of the Dharma. Ājñātakauṇḍinya has attained the Dharma of immortality."

At that time, the Four Heavenly Kings, having heard the proclamation from the Earth Deity, further proclaimed, "Ājñātakauṇḍinya has attained the Dharma of immortality."

At that time, the Thirty-three Heavens further heard from the Four Heavenly Kings, the Yāma Heavens heard from the Thirty-three Heavens, and so on up to the Tuṣita Heavens, the sound was passed on. Even up to the Brahmā Heaven, the sound was also heard: "The Tathāgata, in Vārāṇasī, turns the wheel of the Dharma. What cannot be turned by devas, humans, Māra, or Māra's followers, or by humans or non-humans, today the Tathāgata turns this wheel of the Dharma." At that time, it was then called Ājñātakauṇḍinya.

At that time, the World Honored One said to the five bhikṣus: "You two should stay and receive instruction, while the three go to beg for food. The food obtained by the three should be shared by the six. When the three stay and receive instruction, the two go to beg for food. The food obtained by the two should be taken by the six." At that time, the instruction was the Dharma of non-arising nirvāṇa, and also the non-arising, non-illness, non-aging, and non-death. At that time, the five bhikṣus all attained arahantship. At that time, in the trichiliocosm, there were five arhats, with the Buddha as the sixth.

At that time, the World Honored One said to the five bhikṣus: "You should all go together to beg for food in the human realm, and do not go alone. However, for those sentient beings whose faculties are ripe and can be liberated, I will now go to the village of Uruvilvā and teach the Dharma there."

At that time, the World Honored One went to the village of Uruvilvā. At that time, by the side of the Nairañjanā River, there was a Kāśyapa who lived there. He was well-versed in astronomy and geography, and was well-versed in all calculations and counting of tree leaves. He had five hundred disciples whom he taught daily. Not far from Kāśyapa, there was a stone chamber where a poisonous dragon lived.

At that time, the World Honored One arrived at Kāśyapa's place. Having arrived, he said to Kāśyapa: "I wish to stay in the stone chamber for one night. If you allow it, I will go and stay there."

Kāśyapa replied: "I do not begrudge it, but there is a poisonous dragon there who may harm you."

The World Honored One said: "Kāśyapa! Do not worry! The dragon will not harm me. But if you allow it, I will stay for one night."

Kāśyapa replied: "If you wish to stay, go ahead and stay."

At that time, the World Honored One went to the stone chamber, spread out his seat, and stayed overnight. He sat cross-legged, with his body and mind upright, and focused his attention in front of him. At that time, the poisonous dragon saw the World Honored One sitting and immediately spewed fire and poison. At that time, the World Honored One entered the samadhi of loving-kindness. From the samadhi of loving-kindness, he entered the samadhi of flaming light. At that time, the dragon's fire and the Buddha's light were both produced at the same time.

At that time, Kāśyapa got up at night to observe the stars. He saw a great firelight in the stone chamber. Having seen it, he immediately told his disciples: "This Śramaṇa Gautama has a dignified appearance. Now he is harmed by a dragon. It is very pitiful! I also said before: 'There is an evil dragon there. It is not suitable to stay overnight.'" At that time, Kāśyapa told his five hundred disciples: "You take water bottles and a high ladder to save that fire and let that Śramaṇa escape this danger."

At that time, Kāśyapa, together with his five hundred disciples, went to the stone chamber to save the fire. Some sprinkled water, some provided ladders, but they could not make the fire go out immediately. This was all due to the Tathāgata's majestic spiritual power. At that time, the World Honored One entered the samadhi of loving-kindness, gradually causing the dragon to become free from anger. At that time, the evil dragon was terrified and ran around, wanting to get out of the stone chamber, but it could not get out of the stone chamber. At that time, the evil dragon came towards the Tathāgata and entered the World Honored One's alms bowl to stay.

At that time, the World Honored One stroked the evil dragon's body with his right hand and spoke this verse:

It is very difficult for a dragon to appear, and for dragons to gather
together. Dragon, do not give rise to a harmful mind. It is very difficult
for a dragon to appear. The past number of eons of sand, the buddhas
who have entered parinirvāṇa, you have never encountered them, all due to the fire
of anger. With a good mind towards the Tathāgata, quickly abandon this poison of
anger. Having already removed the poison of anger, one can be reborn in the heavens.

Chapter 24, Part 2: The Chapter on the Tall Banner

At that time, the evil dragon stuck out its tongue, licked the Tathāgata's hand, and gazed intently at the Tathāgata's face.

At that time, the World-Honored One, in the morning of the next day, held this evil dragon in his hand and went to Kāśyapa, saying to Kāśyapa: "This is an evil dragon, extremely fierce and violent. Now I have subdued it."

At that time, Kāśyapa, upon seeing the evil dragon, was filled with fear and said to the World-Honored One: "Stop! Stop! Śramaṇa! Do not come any closer. The dragon is about to harm you."

The World-Honored One said: "Kāśyapa! Do not be afraid. I have already subdued it. It will not harm you. Because this dragon has already been taught and transformed."

At that time, Kāśyapa and his five hundred disciples marveled, saying: "How amazing! How extraordinary! This Śramaṇa Gautama has great spiritual power, able to subdue this evil dragon and prevent it from doing evil. However, it is still not as good as my attainment of the true path."

At that time, Kāśyapa said to the World-Honored One: "Great Śramaṇa! Please accept my invitation for ninety days. I will provide you with robes, food, bedding, and medicine for illness." At that time, the World-Honored One silently accepted Kāśyapa's invitation.

At that time, the World-Honored One placed this divine dragon in the great ocean. That evil dragon, according to its lifespan, passed away and was reborn in the Heaven of the Four Heavenly Kings. At that time, the Tathāgata returned to the stone chamber.

After Kāśyapa had prepared various foods, he went to inform the World-Honored One: "The food is ready. Please come and eat."

The World-Honored One said, "Kāśyapa should go first. I will follow." After Kāśyapa left, he went to the upper reaches of the Jambūnada River. Under the Jambū tree, he took a Jambū fruit and returned, arriving first at Kāśyapa's stone chamber and sat down.

At that time, Kāśyapa saw the World-Honored One in the stone chamber and said to the World-Honored One, "Monk! Which path did you take to come to the stone chamber?"

The Buddha told Kāśyapa, "After you left, I went to the upper reaches of the Jambūnada River. I took a Jambū fruit and returned to sit here. Kāśyapa should know that this fruit is very fragrant and delicious. You can take and eat it."

Kāśyapa replied, "I do not need it. The monk can take and eat it himself." At that time, Kāśyapa again thought, "This monk has great supernatural powers and great power, being able to go to the upper reaches of the Jambūnada River to obtain this delicious fruit. Although so, it is still not as true as my path."

At that time, the World-Honored One, having eaten, returned to stay there for the night.

Kāśyapa arrived at the World-Honored One's place in the morning and said to the World-Honored One, "It is time for the meal. Please come and eat."

The Buddha told Kāśyapa, "You go ahead, I will come later." After Kāśyapa left, he went to the upper part of Jambudvīpa and picked some amala fruit. He returned first and sat in Kāśyapa's stone chamber.

Kāśyapa said to the World-Honored One, "Monk! Which path did you take to come here?"

The World-Honored One said, "After you left, I went to the upper part of Jambudvīpa and picked this fruit. It is very fragrant and delicious. If you need it, take some and eat it."

Kāśyapa replied, "I do not need it. The monk can take it and eat it himself." At that time, Kāśyapa again thought, "This monk has great spiritual power and great majestic virtue. After I left, he picked this fruit. Although he is like this, he is still not as good as me. I have already attained the Way."

At that time, the World-Honored One, having eaten, returned to stay there.

The next day, Kāśyapa went to where the World-Honored One was and said, "It is time for the meal. Please come and eat."

The Buddha told Kāśyapa, "You go ahead, I will come later." After Kāśyapa left, the World-Honored One went to Uttarakuru and took some naturally grown rice. He returned to Kāśyapa's stone chamber.

Kāśyapa asked the Buddha, "Monk! Which path did you take to come and sit here?"

The World-Honored One said, "Kāśyapa should know, after you left, I went to Uttarakuru and took some naturally grown rice, which is extremely fragrant and delicious. Kāśyapa! If you need it, take and eat it."

Kāśyapa replied, "I do not need it. The monk can take and eat it himself." Kāśyapa then thought, "This monk has great supernatural powers and great spiritual power. Although so, he is still not as truly enlightened as I am."

At that time, the World-Honored One, having eaten, returned to stay there.

The next day, Kāśyapa went to where the World-Honored One was and said, "It is time for the meal. Please come and eat."

The Buddha told Kāśyapa, "You go ahead, I will come later." After Kāśyapa left, the World-Honored One went to Cāmara and took some myrobalan fruit. He arrived first and sat in Kāśyapa's stone chamber.

Kāśyapa asked the Buddha, "Monk! Which path did you take to come and sit here?"

The Buddha told Kāśyapa, "After you left, I went to Cāmara and took this fruit. It is very fragrant and delicious. Kāśyapa! If you need it, you can take and eat it."

Kāśyapa replied, "I don't need it. The monk can take and eat it himself." Kāśyapa then thought, "This monk has great supernatural powers and great spiritual power. Although so, he is still not as truly enlightened as I am."

At that time, the World-Honored One, having eaten, returned to stay there.

The next day, Kāśyapa went to where the World-Honored One was and said, "The time has come. Please go to the meal."

The Buddha told Kāśyapa, "You go ahead, I will come later." After Kāśyapa left, the World-Honored One went to Pūrvavideha, picked a jujube fruit, and arrived first at Kāśyapa's stone chamber to sit.

Kāśyapa asked the śramaṇa, "From which path did you come to sit here?"

The Buddha told Kāśyapa, "After you left, I went to Pūrvavideha and picked this fruit. It is very fragrant and delicious. Kāśyapa, if you need it, you can take it and eat it."

Kāśyapa replied, "I do not need it. The śramaṇa can take it and eat it himself." Kāśyapa then thought, "This śramaṇa has great spiritual power and great supernatural powers. Although so, he is still not as good as my attainment of the true path."

At that time, the World-Honored One, having eaten, returned to stay there.

At that time, Kāśyapa was about to perform a great sacrifice. Five hundred disciples held axes to chop firewood, but the axes would not descend. At that time, Kāśyapa again thought, "This must be done by the śramaṇa." At that time, Kāśyapa asked the World-Honored One, "Now I want to chop firewood, but why won't the axes descend?"

The World-Honored One said, "Do you want the axes to descend?"

He said, "I want them to descend." The axes immediately descended.

At that time, the axes had descended but could not be raised. Kāśyapa again addressed the Buddha, saying, "Why can't the axes be raised?"

The World-Honored One said, "Do you want the axes to be raised?"

He said, "I want them to be raised." The axes were then raised.

At that time, Kāśyapa's disciples wanted to light a fire, but it would not light. Kāśyapa then thought, "This must be the doing of Śramaṇa Gautama." Kāśyapa said to the Buddha, "Why won't the fire light?"

The Buddha told Kāśyapa, "Do you want the fire to light?"

He said, "I want it to light." The fire then lit.

At that time, he wanted to extinguish the fire, but the fire would not go out. Kāśyapa asked the Buddha, "Why won't the fire go out?"

The Buddha told Kāśyapa, "Do you want the fire to go out?"

He said, "I want it to go out." The fire then went out. Kāśyapa then thought, "This śramaṇa Gautama has a handsome face, rare in the world. Tomorrow I will perform a great sacrifice, and the king and people will all come to gather. If they see this śramaṇa, I will no longer receive offerings. It would be very fortunate if this śramaṇa does not come tomorrow."

At that time, the World-Honored One knew what Kāśyapa was thinking in his mind. The next morning, he went to Uttarakuru to obtain naturally grown rice, to Cāmara to obtain milk, and went to Anavatapta Spring to eat. He stayed there for the day, and in the evening returned to the stone chamber to spend the night.

The next day, Kāśyapa went to where the World-Honored One was and asked, "Śramaṇa! Why didn't you come yesterday?"

The Buddha told Kāśyapa, "Yesterday you had this thought: 'This Gautama is extremely handsome, rare in the world. If the king and people see him at my great sacrifice tomorrow, they will cut off my offerings. If he does not come, it will be a great blessing.' I immediately knew what you were thinking in your mind. I went to Uttarakuru to obtain naturally grown rice, to Cāmara to obtain milk, and went to Anavatapta Spring to eat. I stayed there for the day, and in the evening returned to the stone chamber to spend the night.

At that time, Kāśyapa again thought, "This great śramaṇa has great supernatural powers and indeed has spiritual power. Although so, it is still not as good as my attainment of the true path.

At that time, the World-Honored One, having eaten, returned to the stone chamber to spend the night. That night, the Four Heavenly Kings came to where the World-Honored One was to listen to the Dharma. The Four Heavenly Kings also had their own light, and the Buddha also emitted a great light, illuminating the mountains and fields, all becoming one color.

At that time, Kāśyapa saw the light at night. The next morning, he went to where the World-Honored One was and said to the World-Honored One, "What was the light last night that illuminated the mountains and fields?"

The World-Honored One said, "Last night the Four Heavenly Kings came to where I was to listen to the Dharma. That was the light of the Four Heavenly Kings."

At that time, Kāśyapa again thought like this: "This śramaṇa has great supernatural power, being able to cause the Four Heavenly Kings to come and listen to the Dharma. Although he has this power, it is not as good as my attainment of the true path."

At that time, the World-Honored One, having eaten, returned to stay there. In the middle of the night, Śakra Devānām-Indra came to where the World-Honored One was to listen to the Dharma. The light of the Heavenly King again illuminated the mountain.

At that time, Kāśyapa got up at night to look at the stars and saw this light. The next morning, Kāśyapa went to where the World-Honored One was and asked, "Gautama! Last night, the light was extremely extraordinary. What was the cause and condition for this light?"

The World-Honored One said, "Last night, Śakra Devānām-Indra came here to listen to the sūtra, so there was this light."

At that time, Kāśyapa again thought like this: "This śramaṇa Gautama has great spiritual power and great majestic virtue, able to cause Śakra Devānām-Indra to come and listen to the Dharma. Although so, it is still not as good as my attainment of the true path."

At that time, the World-Honored One, having eaten, returned to stay there. In the middle of the night, Brahmā-king emitted a great light illuminating the mountain and came to where the World-Honored One was to listen to the Dharma.

At that time, Kāśyapa arose in the night and saw the light. The next day, he went to where the World-Honored One was and asked: "Last night, the light was many times brighter than the light of the sun and moon. What are the causes and conditions for this light?"

The World-Honored One said: "Kāśyapa should know that last night, the Brahmā-king came to where I was to listen to the Dharma.

At that time, Kāśyapa again thought: "This śramaṇa Gautama has great spiritual power, being able to cause my grandfather to come to where this śramaṇa is to listen to the Dharma. Although it is so, it is still not as good as my attainment of the true path.

At that time, the World-Honored One obtained a worn-out five-piece robe and wanted to wash it. He thought: "Where should I wash this robe?" At that time, Śakra Devānām-Indra knew what the World-Honored One was thinking in his mind and immediately transformed a bathing pool, saying to the World-Honored One: "You can wash your robe here.

At that time, the World-Honored One again thought: "Where should I tread on this robe to wash it?" At that time, the Four Heavenly Kings knew what the World-Honored One was thinking in his mind and immediately placed a large flat stone by the water, saying to the World-Honored One: "You can tread on the robe here.

At that time, the World-Honored One again thought: "Where should I dry this robe?" At that time, the tree spirit knew what the World-Honored One was thinking in his mind and immediately bent down a tree branch, saying to the World-Honored One: "Please dry your robe here.

The next morning, Kāśyapa went to where the World-Honored One was and asked the World-Honored One: "There was no pond here before, but now there is a pond; there was no tree here before, but now there is a tree; there was no stone here before, but now there is a stone. What are the causes and conditions for these changes?"

The World-Honored One said: "This pond was made last night by the Heavenly King Śakra, knowing that I wanted to wash my robe. I then thought: 'Where should I beat and wash this robe?' The Four Heavenly Kings, knowing what I was thinking in my mind, brought this stone. I then thought: 'Where should I dry this robe?' The tree spirit knew what I was thinking in my mind and bent down this tree branch."

At that time, Kāśyapa again thought: "Although this Śramaṇa Gautama is divine, he is still not as true as my attainment of the Way."

At that time, the World-Honored One, having eaten, returned to stay there. At that time, in the middle of the night, a great black cloud arose and a heavy rain fell, flooding the river like a great river. At that time, Kāśyapa again thought: "This river is flooded. The śramaṇa will surely be swept away by the water. I will now look at him." At that time, Kāśyapa and his five hundred disciples went to the river. At that time, the World-Honored One was walking on the water, his feet not being soaked by the water. At that time, Kāśyapa saw from afar the World-Honored One walking on the water. At that time, Kāśyapa then thought: "How wonderful! How extraordinary! The śramaṇa Gautama is able to walk on the water. I am also able to walk on the water, but I cannot make my feet unstained. Although this śramaṇa is divine, he is still not as true as my attainment of the Way."

At that time, the World-Honored One said to Kāśyapa: "You are not an arhat either, and you do not know the path of an arhat. You do not even know the name of an arhat, let alone attaining the Way. You are blind, seeing nothing. The Tathāgata has manifested so many transformations, yet you say: 'I am true in attaining the Way.' You now say: 'I can walk on water.' Now is the right time. Can we walk on water together? You should now abandon your wrong views, so as not to suffer for a long time."

At that time, having heard the words of the World-Honored One, Kāśyapa immediately went forward, bowed his head at the feet, and said: "I now repent and deeply know that it is not the Dharma. I have touched the Tathāgata. I only pray that you accept my repentance." He said this three times.

The World-Honored One said: "I allow you to repent of your mistake. You are able to know for yourself that you have disturbed the Tathāgata."

At that time, Kāśyapa told his five hundred disciples: "Each of you should do as you see fit. I now take refuge in the śramaṇa Gautama."

At that time, the five hundred disciples said to Kāśyapa: "We also had the intention to go to the śramaṇa Gautama. When he subdued the nāga, we wanted to take refuge. If the teacher takes refuge in Gautama, then all of us five hundred disciples will also take refuge in Gautama."

Kāśyapa replied: "Now is the right time. However, my mind is still attached to this ignorance. Although I have seen so many transformations, my mind is still not enlightened. Therefore, I claim that my path is truly correct."

At that time, Kāśyapa, together with his five hundred disciples, surrounded the World-Honored One in front and behind. He bowed his head at the Buddha's feet and stood to one side. He said to the World-Honored One: "I only wish that the World-Honored One would allow us to become śramaṇas and cultivate holy life."

The constant Dharma of the Buddhas is that if one is called "Welcome, bhikṣu!" one becomes a śramaṇa. At that time, the World-Honored One said to Kāśyapa: "Welcome, bhikṣu! This Dharma is subtle and good for cultivating the holy life." At that time, the robes worn by Kāśyapa and his five hundred disciples all transformed into monastic robes, and their hair fell out by itself, as if shaved. After seven days, Kāśyapa's learning tools and spells were all thrown into the water.

At that time, the five hundred disciples said to the World-Honored One: "We only wish that the World-Honored One would allow us to become śramaṇas."

The World-Honored One said: "Welcome, bhikṣus!" At that time, the five hundred disciples immediately became śramaṇas, with their robes on and their hair falling out by itself.

At that time, flowing downstream, there was a brāhman named Nāḍīkāśyapa, staying by the water. At that time, Nāḍīkāśyapa saw the magical implements all being carried away by the water, and he thought: "Alas! My elder brother is being drowned by the water!" At that time, Nāḍīkāśyapa, together with his three hundred disciples, went upstream to search for his elder brother's corpse. From afar, he saw the World-Honored One sitting under a tree, surrounded by Mahākāśyapa and his five hundred disciples, expounding the Dharma. Having seen this, he went forward to Kāśyapa and said: "Is this good? You were originally a teacher of others, but now you are a disciple. Why did your elder brother become a disciple of a śramaṇa?"

Kāśyapa replied: "This place is wonderful, there is nothing better than this place."

At that time, Upagu Kāśyapa spoke this verse to Nāḍīkāśyapa:

This teacher is honored by humans and gods. I now serve him
The Buddhas appear in the world, which is very difficult to encounter.

At that time, Nāḍīkāśyapa heard the Buddha's name and was very joyful, leaping with delight. He went before the World-Honored One and said, "I wish to be allowed to practice the path."

The World-Honored One said, "Welcome, bhikṣu! Cultivate the holy life and end the cycle of suffering."

At that time, Nāḍīkāśyapa and his three hundred disciples became śramaṇas. The robes covered their bodies and their hair fell out by itself. At that time, Nāḍīkāśyapa and his three hundred disciples threw all their magical implements into the water.

At that time, there was a brāhman named Geya Kāśyapa who was living by the river. Seeing the magical implements being carried away by the water, he thought, "My two elder brothers are practicing the Way upstream. Now the magical implements are being carried away by the water. The two great Kāśyapa brothers must have been harmed by the water." He then led two hundred disciples upstream to the place of practice. Seeing his two elder brothers had become śramaṇas, he said, "Is this place good? You were once honored by people, but now you are disciples of a śramaṇa.

Kāśyapa replied, "This place is the most wonderful, there is nothing better than this place."

At that time, Geya Kāśyapa thought, "Now my two elder brothers are knowledgeable and learned. This place must be a good place for them to practice the Way. I can also practice the Way here." Then Geya Kāśyapa said to the World-Honored One, "May the World-Honored One allow me to become a śramaṇa."

The World-Honored One said, "Welcome, bhikṣu! Practice the holy life and end suffering."

At that time, Geya Kāśyapa immediately became a śramaṇa. The kāṣāya robe was on his body, and his hair fell out by itself, as if shaved. It had been seven days.

At that time, the World-Honored One was staying by the river, under a nyagrodha tree, not long after attaining Buddhahood, with a thousand disciples, all of whom were senior elders. At that time, the World-Honored One taught and transformed them in three ways. What were the three? Namely, teaching and transforming through supernatural powers, teaching and transforming through verbal teachings, and teaching and transforming through instruction.

What is meant by teaching and transforming through supernatural powers? At that time, the World-Honored One sometimes took on various forms and then combined them into one, sometimes disappearing and then appearing. He passed through stone walls without obstruction, sometimes emerging from the ground or entering the ground, like flowing water, without any obstruction. He sometimes sat cross-legged in the sky, like a bird flying through the air without obstruction. He was also like a great volcano, emitting immeasurable smoke. The sun and moon have great divine power and cannot be measured. He could reach up to the Brahma Heaven with his hand. Thus the World-Honored One manifested supernatural powers.

What is meant by teaching and transforming through verbal teachings? At that time, the World-Honored One taught the bhikṣus: "Abandon this, put aside this. Approach this, distance yourself from this. Remember this, forget this. Observe this, do not observe this." What should be cultivated and what should not be cultivated? Cultivate the seven factors of awakening and eliminate the three fetters. What should be observed and what should not be observed? Observe the three fetters and the good of the śramaṇa: namely, the joy of renunciation, the joy of non-anger, and the joy of non-hatred. What should not be observed? Namely, the three kinds of suffering of the śramaṇa. What are the three? Namely, the observation of desire, the observation of anger, and the observation of hatred. What should be remembered and what should not be remembered? At that time, remember the truth of suffering, remember the truth of the origin, remember the truth of cessation, remember the truth of the path; do not remember the false truths: the view of eternalism, the view of nihilism, the view of having an end, the view of having no end, the view of having a self, the view of having no self, the view of the Tathāgata's having an end, the view of the Tathāgata's not having an end, the view of having an end and not having an end, the view of neither having an end nor not having an end. Do not have these thoughts.

What is meant by teaching and transforming through instruction? Furthermore, one should go like this and not go like this, come like this and not come like this, be silent and speak like this: "One should wear such robes and not wear such robes, one should enter the village like this and not enter the village like this." This is called teaching and transforming through instruction.

At that time, the World-Honored One used these three methods to teach and transform the thousand bhikṣus. At that time, the bhikṣus accepted the Buddha's teachings, and the thousand bhikṣus all attained arahantship. At that time, the World-Honored One saw that the thousand bhikṣus had attained arahantship. At that time, there were a thousand arhats and five bhikṣus in Jambudvīpa. The Buddha was the teacher of the six teachers, and he turned to face Kapilavastu.

At that time, Upagupta thought, "Why is the World-Honored One facing Kapilavastu?" At that time, Upagupta went forward, knelt for a long time, and said to the World-Honored One, "I do not know why the Tathāgata is facing Kapilavastu."

The World-Honored One said, "When the Tathāgata is in the world, there are five things to be done. What are the five? First, one should turn the wheel of the Dharma. Second, one should teach the Dharma to one's father. Third, one should teach the Dharma to one's mother. Fourth, one should guide ordinary people to establish the practice of bodhisattvas. Fifth, one should bestow the bodhisattva precepts. These, Kāśyapa, are the five dharmas that the Tathāgata should practice when appearing in the world."

At that time, Upagupta again thought, "The Tathāgata is thinking of his relatives and hometown, so he is facing that direction."

At that time, the five bhikṣus gradually came to the side of the Nairañjanā River, went to where the World-Honored One was, bowed their heads to his feet, and sat to one side.

At that time, Venerable Udayin saw from afar that the World-Honored One was facing Kapilavastu and sitting. Having seen this, he thought, "The World-Honored One must wish to go to Kapilavastu to see his relatives." At that time, Udayin then knelt for a long time and said to the World-Honored One, "I am now able to ask about something. I only wish for you to explain it."

The World-Honored One said, "Ask what you wish to ask."

Udayin said to the World-Honored One, "Judging from the Tathāgata's intention, you wish to go to Kapilavastu."

The World-Honored One said, "So it is, as you say. Udayin should know, go first to King Śuddhodana. I will go later. The reason is, the kṣatriya class should first send a messenger to inform, then the Tathāgata will go. When you arrive, tell the king, 'After seven days, the Tathāgata will come to see the king.'"

Udayin replied, "So it is, World-Honored One!" At that time, Udayin immediately rose from his seat, adjusted his robes, bowed at the feet of the World-Honored One, and disappeared before the World-Honored One. He went to Kapilavastu and arrived at King Śuddhodana's place. Having arrived, he stood before the king.

At that time, King Śuddhodana was sitting in the great hall with his concubines. At that time, Udayin flew in the sky. When King Śuddhodana saw Udayin holding a bowl and staff standing in front, he became terrified and said, "Who is this? Is it a human or non-human? A god or ghost? A yakṣa, rākṣasa, god, dragon, or spirit?"

At that time, King Śuddhodana asked Udayin, "Who are you?" He also spoke this verse to Udayin:

Are you a god or a ghost? A gandharva or
other? What is your name now? I wish to know it.

At that time, Udayin again replied to the king with this verse:

I am not a god, nor a gandharva. I am
a person from the kingdom of Kapilavastu. In the past
I destroyed the eighteen koṭis of the evil Māra Pāpīyas
My teacher is Śākyamuni, the true disciple of the Buddha.

At that time, King Śuddhodana again spoke to Udayin with this verse:

Who destroyed the eighteen koṭis of the evil Māra Pāpīyas? Who
is called Śākyamuni? You should now praise and speak of him.

At that time, Udayin again spoke this verse:

When the Tathāgata was first born, the earth shook
greatly. His vows were all accomplished, and today he
is called Siddhārtha! He subdued the eighteen koṭis of
the evil Māra Pāpīyas, and today he has attained
buddhahood! He is the lion among men, the disciple
of Gautama. Today he has become a śramaṇa, and
his original name was Udayin!

At that time, King Śuddhodana, having heard these words, was filled with joy and could not contain himself. He said to Udayin, "Is it true, Udayin, that Prince Siddhārtha is still alive?"

Udayin replied, "The Buddha Śākyamuni is present today."

The king asked, "Has he already attained Buddhahood?"

Udayin replied, "He has already attained Buddhahood."

The king further asked, "Where is the Tathāgata now?"

Udayin replied, "The Tathāgata is now under a niṣadha tree in the Magadha country."

The king then asked, "Who are the disciples who accompany him?"

Udayin replied, "There are billions of devas and a thousand bhikṣus, as well as the Four Heavenly Kings, who are always at his side."

The king then asked, "What kind of clothes does he wear?"

Udayin replied, "The Tathāgata's clothes are called kāsāya."

The king then asked, "What kind of food does he eat?"

Udayin replied, "The Tathāgata's body is nourished by the Dharma."

The king then asked, "Can the Tathāgata be seen?"

Udayin replied, "Do not be anxious, Your Majesty. In seven days, the Tathāgata will come to enter the city."

At that time, the king was extremely joyful and could not contain himself. He personally served and offered to Udayin.

At that time, King Śuddhodana beat a great drum and ordered the people of the country to level the roads, remove impurities, sprinkle the ground with fragrant water, hang silk banners and canopies, and perform countless forms of music and entertainment. He also ordered that all the deaf, blind, mute, and dumb in the country be hidden from view. After seven days, Siddhattha would come to enter the city. When King Śuddhodana heard that the Buddha would come to enter the city, he did not sleep for seven days.

At that time, on the seventh day, the World-Honored One thought, "I should now go to the country of Kapilavastu by means of my supernatural powers." At that time, the World-Honored One, together with the bhikṣus surrounding him in front and behind, went to the country of Kapilavastu. Having arrived, he went to the Sālu Garden to the north of the city.

At that time, King Śuddhodana heard that the World-Honored One had already arrived at the Sālu Garden to the north of the city of Kapilavastu. At that time, King Śuddhodana, together with the Śākya assembly, went to where the World-Honored One was.

At that time, the World-Honored One again thought, "If King Śuddhodana comes in person, it is not appropriate for me. I should now go to meet him. The reason is that the kindness of parents is heavy, and their nurturing affection is very deep." At that time, the World-Honored One, together with the assembly of bhikṣus, went to the city gate and flew in the sky, seven fathoms above the ground.

At that time, King Śuddhodana saw that the World-Honored One was incomparably handsome, a rarity in the world, with tranquil faculties and few thoughts, adorned with the thirty-two marks and eighty minor marks, and his body was adorned with them. He gave rise to a joyful mind and immediately bowed his head to the feet, saying, "I am a king of the kṣatriya caste, named King Śuddhodana."

The World-Honored One said, "May the great king enjoy endless longevity. Therefore, great king! Rule with the right Dharma, not with the wrong Dharma. Great king, you should know that those who rule with the right Dharma, when their bodies perish and their lives end, will be reborn in the good realms of heaven."

At that time, the World-Honored One then walked through the air and arrived at King Śuddhodana's palace. Having arrived, he took his seat.

At that time, the king saw that the World-Honored One had taken his seat. He personally served various kinds of food and drink. Seeing that the World-Honored One had finished eating, he served clean water and then took a small seat to listen to the sūtra.

At that time, the World-Honored One gradually spoke the wonderful meaning with King Śuddhodana. The discussion was about giving, precepts, and the discourse on rebirth in heaven. He spoke about the impurity of desire and the bliss of liberation. At that time, the World-Honored One saw that the king's mind was open and his intentions were resolved. He spoke to the king about the teachings that all Buddha-World-Honored Ones always speak about: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path.

At that time, King Śuddhodana immediately attained the purity of the Dharma-eye on that seat, with all defilements exhausted.

At that time, the World-Honored One, having spoken the Dharma to the king, immediately rose from his seat and departed.

At that time, King Śuddhodana gathered the Śākya assembly and said, "The śramaṇas have extremely ugly appearances. The Śākya clan should gather with the brāhmaṇa assembly. This is not appropriate; the Śākya clan should gather with the Śākya assembly. This is excellent."

The Śākyas replied, "Yes, great king! As the great king commands, the Śākya clan should gather with the Śākya assembly. This is excellent."

At that time, the king announced to the country, "If there are brothers who have two sons, one should be made to practice the path. Those who do not comply will be severely punished."

At that time, the Śākya assembly heard the king's order: "If there are brothers who have two sons, one should be made to practice the path. Those who do not comply will be severely punished." At that time, Devadatta Śākya said to Ānanda Śākya, "Today, King Śuddhodana has ordered: 'If there are brothers who have two sons, one should be made to practice the path.' Now you should go forth and practice the path. I will stay at home and manage the household affairs." At that time, Ānanda Śākya joyfully leaped up and replied, "As my elder brother commands."

At that time, Nanda Śākya said to Aniruddha Śākya, "King Śuddhodana has ordered: 'If there are brothers who have two sons, one should be made to practice the path. Those who do not comply will be severely punished.' Now you should go forth and practice the path. I will stay at home." At that time, Aniruddha Śākya, upon hearing these words, was overjoyed and could not contain himself. He replied, "Yes, as my elder brother commands."

At that time, King Śuddhodana brought Śuddhodana Śākya, Śuddhodana Śākya, and Śuddhodana Śākya to where the World-Honored One was. At that time, he rode in a chariot drawn by four horses, with a white chariot, white canopy, and white horses. The second Śākya rode in a chariot with a blue canopy and blue horses. The third Śākya rode in a chariot with a yellow canopy and yellow horses. The fourth Śākya rode in a chariot with a red canopy and red horses. At that time, some Śākyas rode elephants and some rode horses, all coming to assemble.

At that time, the World-Honored One saw from afar that King Śuddhodana was leading the Śākya assembly and said to the bhikṣus, "You should all look at this Śākya assembly and King Śuddhodana's assembly. Bhikṣus should know that when the Thirty-three Gods go out to the garden, it is also like this, without any difference."

At that time, Ānanda rode a large white elephant, wearing white clothes and a white canopy. Having seen this, he said to the bhikṣus, "Do you all see this Śākya Ānanda riding a white elephant and wearing white clothes?"

The bhikṣus replied, "Yes, World-Honored One! We see it."

The Buddha told the bhikṣus, "This person will leave home to study the path, be the foremost in learning, and be able to serve as an attendant. Do you all see this Aniruddha?"

The bhikṣus replied, "Yes, we see him."

The Buddha told the bhikṣus, "This person will leave home to study the path, and have the foremost divine eye."

At that time, King Śuddhodana and his four brothers, Nanda and Ānanda, all walked forward, removed their five adornments, went to where the World-Honored One was, bowed their heads at his feet, and sat to one side. Then King Śuddhodana said to the Buddha, "Last night I had this thought: 'It is not appropriate for the kṣatriya assembly to follow the brāhmaṇa assembly, but to follow the kṣatriya assembly is appropriate.' I then issued an order throughout the country: 'For those with two brothers, take one to leave home and study the path.' I only wish that the World-Honored One would allow them to leave home and study the path."

The World-Honored One said, "Excellent! Great King! You will benefit many, and gods and humans will find peace. The reason is this: these good friends are a field of blessings and merit. I too, because of good friends, have escaped this birth, old age, sickness, and death." At that time, the Śākya assembly was able to enter the path.

At that time, King Śuddhodana said to the World-Honored One, "I only wish that the World-Honored One would instruct these new bhikṣus as you instruct Udayin. The reason is this: this bhikṣu Udayin has great spiritual power. I wish that bhikṣu Udayin would always be in the palace to teach and transform, causing sentient beings to attain peace for a long time. The reason is this: this bhikṣu has great spiritual power. When I first saw bhikṣu Udayin, I immediately gave rise to a joyful mind. I then had this thought: 'Even the disciple has spiritual power, how could the Tathāgata not have this spiritual power?'"

The World-Honored One said, "So it is, Great King! As the Great King teaches, this bhikṣu Udayin has great spiritual power and great majestic virtue."

At that time, the World-Honored One told the bhikṣus, "The foremost disciple with extensive knowledge and great learning, who is remembered by the king, is the bhikṣu Ājñātakauṇḍinya. The one who is able to inspire and transform the people is the bhikṣu Udayin. The one with swift wisdom is the bhikṣu Mahānāman. The one who always enjoys flying is the bhikṣu Subhūti. The one who comes and goes in the sky is the bhikṣu Bābhrava. The one with many disciples is the bhikṣu Uruvilvā-Kāśyapa. The one who attains the contemplation of emptiness is the bhikṣu Nadī-Kāśyapa. The one who attains the contemplation of cessation is the bhikṣu Hārita-Kāśyapa."

At that time, the World-Honored One extensively spoke the subtle Dharma to King Śuddhodana. Having heard the Dharma, the king rose from his seat, bowed his head at the feet, and then departed.

At that time, the bhikṣus and King Śuddhodana, having heard the Buddha's teaching, joyfully received and practiced it.