翻譯名義集 1.103

1.103

The Lotus Sūtra says: "He proceeded directly to Vārāṇasī and taught for the five bhikṣus." Tracing the origin of this: when the crown prince entered the mountains, his father, the king, longed for him. He then commanded three members of the royal clan—namely, Aśvajit, Bhadrika, and Kulika—and two from his maternal uncle's clan—namely, Kauṇḍinya and Kāśyapa—to search for his dwelling place and attend to his activities. Two of them were attached to the five desires; when the prince first ate hemp, they abruptly withdrew from their seats. Three were attached to ascetic practices; when the prince later accepted milk-rice, they also went far away. When he attained the fruit of Buddhahood, he considered who was fit to be delivered. First, he thought of the two sages, but a voice from the sky said they were already dead. He again thought of the five men, whom he should go and deliver first, and therefore arrived at Vārāṇasī. Spending a summer adjusting their faculties, he first explained the Four Truths to Kauṇḍinya, who attained the Way; next, he spoke to Aśvajit and Bhadrika on the merits and joys of giving and being reborn in heaven, and they simultaneously realized the fruit; thirdly, he spoke to Kāśyapa and Kulika as before, and both attained the holy Way. These are the three rounds of delivering the five bhikṣus. Since they entered the Way first, they are listed at the head.