RAHULA

RAHULA, THE SON

  MANY people in Kapilavatthu believed in the Tathagata and took

refuge in his doctrine, among them Nanda Sidhattha's half-brother, the

son of Pajapati; Devadatta, his cousin and brother-in-law; Upali the

barber; and Anuruddha the philosopher. Some years later Ananda,

another cousin of the Blessed One, also joined the Sangha.

  Ananda was a man after the heart of the Blessed One; he was his most

beloved disciple, profound in comprehension and gentle in spirit.

And Ananda remained always near the Blessed Master of truth, until

death parted them.

  On the seventh day after the Buddha's arrival in Kapilavatthu,

Yasodhara dressed Rahula, now seven years old, in all the splendor

of a prince and said to him: "This holy man, whose appearance is so

glorious that he looks like the great Brahma, is thy father. He

possesses four great mines of wealth which I have not yet seen. Go

to him and entreat him to put thee in possession of them, for the

son ought to inherit the property of his father."

  Rahula replied: "I know of no father but the king. Who is my

father?" The princess took the boy in her arms and from the window she

pointed out to him the Buddha, who happened to be near the palace,

partaking of food.

  Rahula then went to the Buddha, and looking up into his face said

without fear and with much affection: "My father!" And standing near

him, he added: "O samana, even thy shadow is a place of bliss!"

  When the Tathagata had finished his repast, he gave blessings and

went away from the palace, but Rahula followed and asked his father

for his inheritance. No one prevented the boy, nor did the Blessed One

himself.

  Then the Blessed One turned to Sariputta, saying: "My son asks for

his inheritance. I cannot give him perishable treasures that will

bring cares and sorrows, but I can give him the inheritance of a

holy life, which is a treasure that will not perish."

  Addressing Rahula with earnestness, the Blessed One said: "Gold

and silver and jewels are not in my possession. But if thou art

willing to receive spiritual treasures, and art strong enough to carry

them and to keep them, I shall give thee the four truths which will

teach thee the eightfold path of righteousness. Dost thou desire to be

admitted to the brotherhood of those who devote their life to the

culture of the heart seeking for the highest bliss attainable?"

  Rahula replied with firmness: "I do. I want to join the

brotherhood of the Buddha."

  When the king heard that Rahula had joined the brotherhood of

bhikkhus he was grieved. He had lost Siddhattha and Nanda, his sons,

and Devadatta, his nephew. But now that his grandson had been taken

from him, he went to the Blessed One and spoke to him. And the Blessed

One promised that from that time forward he would not ordain any minor

without the consent of his parents or guardians.