174
From the Collection of Middle-Length Sayings
goes on to tell of how the great god Brahmā himself requested him to teach what he had discovered, and how as a result he first set the wheel of Truth (dhamma-cakka) in motion in the animal park outside Benares. Prince Bodhi finally asks how quickly one might attain awakening, and reaffirms that he goes to the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha as refuge. No indication is given here that the Buddha was born the son of a great king, a prince who enjoyed a sumptuously wealthy youth and who was prompted to renounce his wealth by his encounter with an old man, a sick man, a corpse, and ascetic; in the four Nikāyas this famous story is only related in the mythic account of a previous buddha, Vipassin (D II 21 – 31). For further discussion and suggestions for further reading see Gethin, Foundations of Buddhism, 7 – 34, 306 – 7.
This is what I have heard. Once the Blessed One was staying in the Bhagga country at Sumsumāragira, in the Bhesakalā grove in the animal park. At that time Prince Bodhi had recently had built a building called Kokanada, but it had not yet been occupied by any ascetic or brahman or by any human being. Then Prince Bodhi spoke to the brahman student Sañjikāputta: ‘My good Sañjikāputta, go to the Blessed One, and having approached him bow down at his feet with your head in my name and ask if he is free of sickness and disease, if he is in good health and strong, if he lives at ease, saying, “Sir, Prince Bodhi bows down at your feet with his head and asks if you are free of sickness and disease, if you are in good health and strong, if you live at ease.” And then say, “Sir, may the Blessed One along with the community of monks accept Prince Bodhi’s invitation for tomorrow’s meal.” ’ ‘Yes, sir,’ replied the brahman student Sañjikāputta. Then he approached the Blessed One. Having approached, he saluted the Blessed One respectfully, and exchanged pleasing and polite words with him, before sitting down to one side. Once seated, he said to the Blessed One: ‘Gotama sir,* Prince Bodhi bows down at Gotama’s feet with his head and asks if you are free of sickness and disease, if you are in good health and strong, if you live at ease. He asks further whether Gotama along with the community of monks might accept Prince Bodhi’s invitation for tomorrow’s meal.’ By his silence the Blessed One accepted. Understanding that he had accepted the invitation, the brahman student Sañjikāputta got up from his seat and approached Prince Bodhi.