Tagged: Mahākhandhaka
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7. Pabbajjākathā (The Account of the Going Forth)
13Yasa, a wealthy young man, experiences profound revulsion at his life of sensual pleasure, exclaiming "Oh, what affliction!" and leaves home, encountering the Bhagavā (Buddha). The Buddha teaches Yasa a gradual discourse followed by the Four Noble Truths, leading Yasa to attain the "dust-free, stainless `dhammacakkhu` (insight into the Dhamma)" and, after his father also hears the Dhamma, full liberation as an Arahant and ordination as a bhikkhu. Yasa's father, initially searching for him, is also taught by the Buddha, attains the `dhammacakkhu`, and becomes the first lay follower; Yasa's mother and former wife similarly become the first laywomen followers. Inspired by Yasa, his four closest friends and later about fifty more also seek out the Buddha, receive the same progressive instruction, attain the `dhammacakkhu`, are ordained, and achieve Arahantship, significantly expanding the early Saṅgha.
8. Mārakathā (The Account of Māra)
14The Buddha, declaring both himself and his bhikkhus (monks) freed from all divine and human snares, instructs them to go forth and teach the Dhamma — a teaching good in its beginning, middle, and end, leading to a perfect holy life — for the welfare and happiness of all beings, as some are ready to understand it; he himself also intends to teach. This declaration of freedom is immediately challenged by Māra, who claims the Buddha is still bound. However, the Buddha refutes Māra's assertions, specifically stating his detachment from sensory desires (forms, sounds, tastes, smells, tangibles), which Māra intended as a "mental snare," causing Māra to recognise his defeat and vanish in distress.
9. Pabbajjūpasampadākathā (The Account of the Going Forth and Undertaking)
15Due to the weariness experienced by both bhikkhus and aspirants traveling to the Bhagavā for ordination (`upasampadā`), the Bhagavā, after reflection, decided to authorise bhikkhus to conduct these ordinations themselves in their respective regions. He then detailed the ordination process, which includes preparatory actions like shaving and donning robes, paying homage, and culminates in the aspirant thrice reciting the Three Refuges (taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha). The Bhagavā declared that this act of taking the Three Refuges itself constitutes both `pabbajjā` (going forth) and `upasampadā` (higher ordination).