Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c29.311

v2.c29.311

1. Bāhiya Dārucīriya.—An arahant. He was born in the family of a householder of Bāhiya¹—hence his name—and engaged himself in trade, voyaging in a ship. Seven times he sailed down the Indus and across the sea and returned safely home. On the eighth occasion, while on his way to Suvaṇṇabhūmi, his ship was wrecked, and he floated ashore on a plank, reaching land near Suppāraka. Having lost all his clothes, he made himself a bark-garment, and went about, bowl in hand, for alms in Suppāraka. Men, seeing his garment and struck with his demeanour, paid him great honour. Though they offered him costly robes and many other luxuries, he refused them all and his fame increased. Because of his bark-garment he was known as Dārucīriya. In due course he came himself to believe that he had attained arahantship, but a devatā,² reading his thoughts and wishing him well, pointed out to him his error and advised him to seek the Buddha at Sāvatthi. By the power of the devatā, Bāhiya reached Sāvatthi in one night, a distance of one hundred and twenty leagues, and was told that the Buddha was in the city begging alms. Bāhiya followed him thither and begged to be taught something for his salvation. Twice he asked and twice the Buddha refused, saying that it was not the hour for teaching.³ But Bāhiya insisted, saying that life was uncertain and that the Buddha or he might die. The Buddha then taught him the proper method of regarding all sense-experiences—namely, as experiences and no more. Even as he listened, Bāhiya became an arahant and the Buddha left him. Shortly after, Bāhiya was gored to death by a cow with calf.⁴ The Buddha, seeing his body lying on the dung heap, asked the monks to remove it and to have it burnt, erecting a thūpa over the remains. In the assembly he declared Bāhiya to be foremost among those who instantly comprehended the Truth (khippābhiññāṇam).⁵