The Buddha meets the prince (sutra)

Dhamma Nanda, VRIDhamma.org via satima.net, 6/29/21); Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

Stories of Select Disciples of the Buddha: Prince Bodhi

Prince Bodhi of Kosambi was a devoted follower of the Buddha. Once when he constructed a new palace, he invited the Buddha and his monastic disciples to visit.

The prince waited at the entrance to welcome him. When the Buddha arrived, the prince requested him to climb the stairs. Out of reverence for the Buddha, he had laid a white cotton carpet on the stairs. But the Buddha did not step on it.

The prince could not understand why the Buddha stopped. Ven. Ananda explained to the prince: "Prince, please remove these carpets. The Blessed One does not walk on carpets. The Buddha is being compassionate towards future generations."

He did not want to start any wrong practices due to which future generations of teachers would make this a custom and burden their followers with this improper custom.

After the alms meal offering, the Buddha gave a discourse. While answering a question asked by the prince, he said that if a worthy person starts following the path taught by the Buddha in the morning, one will gain liberation by the evening.

Similarly, a person who starts following the path in the evening can become fully liberated by the morning of the next day.

On hearing this, the prince exclaimed: “Aho Buddho, aho Dhammo, aho Dhammassa svākkhātatā! Great is the Buddha, great is the Dharma, great is the lucid explanation of the Teaching” (Bodhirājakumāra Sutta, MN 2.326, 345).

Prince Bodhi said that during his mother’s pregnancy with him she had paid respect to the Buddha by saying:

“Venerable sir, this fetus of mine goes for guidance (sarana) to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the [noble] Sangha. Please give it guidance.”

Later, his wet nurse had taken him to the Buddha and had said: “Venerable sir, this young prince goes for guidance to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Please accept him as one guided by you.”

“And now for the third time I myself go for guidance to Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. From now on, may the Buddha please remember me as one who has gone for guidance for the rest of my life” (Bodhirājakumāra Sutta, MN 2.346).

This discourse of the Buddha should cause future teachers to realize that no one should teach the Dharma for personal gain or fame. Whenever a teacher teaches the Dharma for name and fame, one harms oneself, harms followers, and harms the Dharma.

Unwise followers do not practice Dharma but rather, they erroneously feel that by merely worshiping the teacher they have fulfilled their duty.