Monks, through the blessing of the Bodhisattva, Chanda told King Śuddhodana, the Śākya princess Gopā, the retinue of consorts, and everyone else among the Śākyas what had happened in order to alleviate their suffering.

Monks, the Bodhisattva first gave his silken robes to a god in the form of a hunter, and then he donned the hunter’s saffron-colored robes. He adopted the lifestyle of a renunciant in order to act in agreement with the perception of worldly people, and also because he felt compassion for others and wished to mature them.

The Bodhisattva then went to the hermitage of a brahmin woman called Śākī. The woman invited the Bodhisattva to stay and have a meal. Next the Bodhisattva went to the hermitage of a brahmin woman called Padmā, who also invited the Bodhisattva to stay for a meal. Later he went to the hermitage of a sagely priest called Raivata, who offered the Bodhisattva hospitality in the same way. Likewise Rājaka, the son of Datṛmadaṇḍika, also invited him as a guest. Monks, in this way the Bodhisattva slowly made his way to the city of Vaiśālī.

At that time Ārāḍa Kālāma had arrived in Vaiśālī, where he resided together with a saṅgha of listeners and three hundred students, to whom he delivered teachings on the practices related to the sense field of utter absence. When Ārāḍa Kālāma saw the Bodhisattva approaching in the distance, he was amazed and told his students, “Oh, look at his figure!”

The students replied, “Yes, we see him. He is amazing.”

Monks, I walked up to where Ārāḍa Kālāma was staying and addressed him in the following way: “Ārāḍa Kālāma, I have come to learn spiritual practices from you.”

Ārāḍa Kālāma replied, “Gautama, I shall give you a teaching through which a faithful person of good family can accomplish omniscience with very little hardship.”

Monks, I then thought to myself, “I have faith. I am also diligent. I am mindful and I can practice absorption. I also have knowledge. So therefore, in order to master and actualize that teaching, I will practice on my own in a solitary place, without getting distracted.”

Monks, I then practiced on my own in solitude with carefulness and diligence. And indeed, with only little hardship, I was able to understand and actualize the teaching.

Monks, I then went to Ārāḍa Kālāma and asked him, “Ārāḍa Kālāma, you have understood and actualized this teaching, isn’t that true?”

“Yes, Gautama, indeed I have,” he replied.

I then told him, “I have also understood and actualized this teaching.”

Ārāḍa Kālāma replied, “Well then, Gautama, whatever teaching I know, you also know. And whatever you know, I also know. So now both of us should assume patronage of the students.”

After he made that offer, Ārāḍa Kālāma honored me with exquisite offerings and installed me as a teacher in residence, who would share his duties with him.

Monks, I then thought to myself, “Ārāḍa’s teaching does not bring freedom. It would not bring total freedom from suffering for either of us. So now I must depart and search for a better practice.”

Monks, since I had now stayed in Vaiśālī for as long as I found enjoyable, I proceeded to the country of Magadha and found my way to Rājagṛha, the capital city of that country. Once there I took up residence at Pāṇḍava, the king of mountains, where I stayed on its slope alone in solitude without any company. At that time many trillions of gods protected me.

One morning I dressed in the skirt and robes of a mendicant and, holding my offering bowl, I went into the city of Rājagṛha through the Gate of Warm Water and started my alms round. I looked ahead and to both sides and proceeded in a gracious manner, moving my limbs with elegance. I carried the skirt, the offering bowl, and the monk’s robes in a very beautiful manner. My senses were undistracted and my mind was not diverted by outer events. Like an image of someone who is carrying a vase filled with oil, I looked ahead at a distance of six feet.

When the people of Rājagṛha saw me, they were amazed and thought, “Goodness, is that Brahmā? Or perhaps Śakra, king of the gods, or Vaiśravaṇa? Or is it some kind of mountain god?”

On this topic, it is said:

Stainless and of infinite glory, The Bodhisattva becomes a mendicant of his own will. His mind is peaceful and his actions are gentle; He resides on the slope of Pāṇḍava, the king of mountains.

As the Bodhisattva knows that day has broken, He dons his robes, so beautiful to behold. Holding his alms bowl with a humble attitude, He enters Rājagṛha on his alms round.

Like gold, he is of refined nature And bears the thirty-two marks. When men and women see him, They cannot get enough of beholding him.

The streets are adorned with precious fabrics; People move out of his way, only to follow behind him. They ask, “Who is that being whom we have never seen before And whose luster makes the whole city shine?”

Thousands of women stand on their roofs And in their doorways and windows. Filling the streets, they leave their houses empty; Dropping all other tasks, they only stare at this perfect man.

All business and shopping comes to an end; Even those in the bars stop drinking. They cannot stay still in their houses or in the streets As they behold the form of this perfect man.

Quickly one man runs to the palace And joyfully relates the story to King Bimbisāra: “It seems that Brahmā himself is doing alms rounds in our city! Your Majesty, you are most fortunate!”

Some people say to the king that it is Śakra, king of the gods; Others say it is a god from the Heaven Free from Strife. Others say it is a god from the Heaven of Joy or the Heaven of Delighting in Emanations; Some suggest it is a god from the Heaven of Making Use of Others’ Emanations.

There are some who say that it is Sūrya or Candra; Some say it is Rāhu, Balī, or Vemacitri. Still others are saying, “He lives on Pāṇḍava, the king of mountains.”

As the king hears these reports, He is overjoyed and comes to his balcony. There he sees the Perfect Being, the Bodhisattva, Who shines with beauty like well-refined gold.

King Bimbisāra gives the Bodhisattva some alms And tells his men, “Find out where he goes.” Seeing that he returns to the best of mountains, they report back: “Your Majesty, he is staying on the face of the mountain!”

Knowing that the night has passed, King Bimbisāra, surrounded by a large retinue, Arrives at the root of Pāṇḍava, the king of mountains, And sees that the mountain is ablaze in glory.

He dismounts from his chariot and proceeds on foot. With great devotion he beholds the Bodhisattva Sitting cross-legged on a cushion of grass, Immutable, like the central mountain.

The king touches his head to the Bodhisattva’s feet. As they discuss many issues, the king says, “I will give you half my kingdom. Enjoy the sense pleasures here; I will give you all you need.”

The Bodhisattva replies in soft words, “Ruler of this land, may your life be long! I have already discarded a beautiful kingdom and become a monk In order to search for peace with no expectations for the future.”

The king of Magadha responds to the Bodhisattva, “You are young and in the prime of life; You have a beautiful complexion and you are strong. Let me offer you much wealth and many women.

“Please stay in my kingdom and enjoy yourself. When I see you, I am filled with supreme joy; Please be my friend, and I will give you my entire kingdom. Please enjoy its abundant pleasures.

“Please do not stay in the empty forest; From now on, please do not sit on grass on the ground. Your body is so young and fresh, So please stay in my kingdom and enjoy yourself.”

The Bodhisattva replies in a gentle voice, With love and concern for the king’s welfare, “King, may fortune always be with you! I do not seek desirable objects.

“Desire is like poison and has endless faults; It pushes beings into hell and the realms of hungry spirits and animals. Ignoble desires are condemned by the wise ones; I have abandoned desire like putrid snot.

“Desires fall like fruit from trees; They pass like clouds and rain. Unstable and fleeting, they move like the wind; They destroy everything that is good, and should be avoided.

“If people don’t get what they want, their desires burn; But even if they do get what they want, it is never enough. However, when desires consume someone who is unable to handle them, That is when these terrifying desires bring the most pain.

“Your Majesty, even if one man were to attain All the pleasures of the gods And everything desirable among humans, It still would not suffice, and he would search for more.

“Yet, Your Majesty, whoever is peaceful and gentle, Informed by the noble and stainless Dharma, And filled with knowledge—he is satisfied. For him desirable objects have no attraction.

“Your Majesty, if one follows after desire, It will never end. Like drinking salty water, Following after desire only increases craving.

“Your Majesty, consider how unstable the body is. There is no substance to the body—it is like a machine of suffering; It constantly leaks from the nine openings. Your Majesty, I have no desire for pleasures.

“I have abandoned many delights And thousands of women so beautiful to behold. I now wish for the perfect peace of sacred awakening. Since I find no joy in conditioned existence, I have left it.”

The king of Magadha now asks:

“Monk, where do you come from? Where were you born? Where are your father and mother? Are you a member of the ruling class, a priest, or a king? Monk, please tell me everything, if you don’t mind.”

The Bodhisattva replies:

“Your Majesty, I am from the city of Kapilavastu of the Śākyas, A wonder-filled city of which you may have heard. My father’s name is Śuddhodana. I renounced this city because I wished for deeper qualities.”

The king of Magadha says:

“Good! We are so glad to see you! As for your life, we too can learn from it. Also forgive me for my earlier intention To invite the One Free from Desire to enjoy sense pleasures.

“If you do become awakened, Dharma Lord, please share the Dharma with me. Self-Born One, that you now live in my country Is for me the greatest gift of all.”

Once again the king bows to the Bodhisattva’s feet; He circumambulates the Bodhisattva with the greatest respect. Then, surrounded by his entourage, The ruler returns to his royal palace.

The Protector of the World came to the city in Magadha; Peacefully, he stayed as long as he wished. When he had accomplished the welfare of gods and humans, The Lord of Men proceeded to the banks of the Nairañjanā River.