Spiritual Stories by Ramana

[Guest guest]

BUDDHA

 

During a conversation on non-attachment, Bhagavan said, " In this

part of the country, one of our ancients wrote, `O Lord, thou hast

given me a hand to use as pillow under my head, a cloth to cover my

loins, hands wherewith to eat food, what more do I want? This is my

great good fortune'! That is the purport of the verse. Is it really

possible to say how great a good fortune that is? Even the greatest

kings wish for such happiness. There is nothing to equal it. Having

experienced both these conditions, I know the difference between

this and that. These beds, sofa and articles around me – all this is

bondage. " " Is not the Buddha an example of this? " asked a devotee.

Thereupon Sri Bhagavan began speaking about Buddha.

 

" YES, " SAID BHAGAVAN, " when the Buddha was in the palace with all

possible luxuries in the world, he was still sad. To remove his

sadness, his father created more luxuries than ever. But none of

them satisfied the Buddha. At midnight he left his wife and child

and disappeared. He remained in great austerity for six years,

realised the Self; and for the welfare of the world became a

mendicant (bhikshu). It was only after he became a mendicant that he

enjoyed great bliss. Really, what more did he require? " " In the garb

of a mendicant he came to his own city, did he not? " asked a devotee.

" Yes, yes, " said Bhagavan. " Having heard that he was coming, his

father, Suddhodana, decorated the royal elephant and went out with

his whole army to receive him on the main road. But without touching

the main road, the Buddha came by side roads and by-lanes; he sent

his close associates to the various streets for alms while he

himself in the guise of a mendicant went by another way to his

father. How could the father know that his son was coming in that

guise! Yasodhara (the Buddha's wife), however, recognised him, made

her son prostrate before his father and herself prostrated. After

that, the father recognised the Buddha. Suddhodana however, had never

expected to see his son in such a state and was very angry and

shouted, `Shame on you! What is this garb? Does one who should have

the greatest of riches come like this? I've had enough of it!' And

with that, he looked furiously at the Buddha. Regretting that his

father had not yet got rid of his ignorance, the Buddha too, began

to look at his father with even greater intensity. In this war of

looks, the father was defeated. He fell at the feet of his son and

himself became a mendicant. Only a man with non-attachment can know

the power of non-attachment " , said Bhagavan, his voice quivering

with emotion.