Historical Geography of Ancient India c8.369

c8.369

No less important were the activities of the Buddha on the bank of this river. Here at the foot of the Bo-tree the Buddha spent some time after attaining enlightenment (Vinaya, I, i; cf. Buddhacarita, Bk. XII, vv. 87-88). The famous Jaṭila brothers were converted here by the Master to his faith (Vinaya, I, 25ff.). On its bank the Buddha lived at Uruvelā at the foot of the Ajapāla banyan tree. Here was met by Brahmā who discussed with him many topics. The Master got confirmation from him as to his thought that he should live honouring the Dhamma (doctrine) and preaching it (Aṅguttara, II, 20-21; Saṃyutta, I, 136ff.). The Master was told by Brahmā that he had carefully thought of the five sense-faculties (Saṃyutta, V, 232ff.). He had also the occasion to make it clear to some Brahmins that he had respect for the old and aged Brahmins (Aṅguttara II, 22-23). He fully realized the fourfold mindfulness leading to the attainment of Nirvāṇa (Saṃyutta, V, 167ff.; Ibid., 185ff.). On the day of his enlightenment the Buddha gave the pot which he used to the serpent Mahākāla on the bank of this river (Mahābodhivamsa, p. 157). Here the Master after his enlightenment systematically set forth the doctrine of dependent origination (Udāna, pp. 1-3). He gave a discourse to the serpent king Mucalinda on its bank at the foot of the Mucalinda tree (Ibid., p. 10) and spoke about existences which are impermanent and full of suffering (Ibid., pp. 32-33).