Receiving the Buddha's Prophecy of Buddhahood

At one time, the Buddha was staying in the city of Śrāvastī. In the city, the wife of a prominent lay patron gave birth to a remarkably handsome and dignified child. The couple held an elaborate birth celebration, gave him a name fitting his high caste, and raised him with great care on milk, yogurt, ghee, and other nourishing foods.

As he grew, he studied and mastered eighteen branches of worldly learning, including writing, Brahminical codes of conduct, and other related fields, and delved deeply into a wide range of philosophical treatises. He was so eloquent that he was completely unbeatable in debate.

He grew extremely arrogant, puffed up by his own talent and striking good looks. After his parents died, a group of Brahmins came to advise him: “Your parents were deeply devoted to making offerings and giving alms during their lifetimes; you should continue their virtuous practice.” He retorted: “My appearance is so dignified, my wisdom so far above others—how could I ever lower myself to make offerings or give alms to anyone else?”

Hearing this, the Brahmins agreed he had deeply flawed character, and secretly decreed within their community that no one was to associate with him. When he learned of their decision, he flew into a rage and cut all ties with those Brahmins.

The World-Honored One observed that this arrogant Brahmin’s son possessed great meritorious roots and was capable of generating unsurpassed bodhicitta. He instantly traveled from the Jetavana Garden to the man’s home, rising slowly up through the earth to appear right before him.

When the Brahmin’s son saw him, he was overjoyed, and quickly set out a precious seat to invite the World-Honored One to take his place. The World-Honored One then taught him the Dharma on the practice of making offerings and giving alms.

Wishing to carry on his parents’ virtuous practice, he made a request to the World-Honored One: “World-Honored One, I long to make offerings and give alms to accumulate merit, but I have no wealth to spare.” After the World-Honored One guided him, he discovered a hidden treasure. He then bowed respectfully before the World-Honored One and asked to make offerings to the Buddha and the Sangha for three months; the World-Honored One gave his silent approval. At the same time, he announced to the people of Śrāvastī that he would hold a large public almsgiving on a set date, and all who came were welcome to take what they needed, no one turned away.

The Brahmins who had cut ties with him were still bitter, and refused to come and accept the offerings. Later, he repeated the announcement several times: “If you Brahmins refuse to accept these offerings, I will donate all my wealth to the World-Honored One and his retinue, and then ordain as a monk under the Buddha’s teaching.” The Brahmins knew this man was true to his word; if he followed through with ordination and gave away all his wealth, none of their own community would benefit from it at all. They then lifted the ban they had secretly enacted, and came to claim a large share of the wealth.

On the final day of his three-month offering to the Buddha and the Sangha, the Brahmin’s son made personal offerings to every member of the monastic community, and presented the finest food, drink, clothing, and other precious items to the World-Honored One. Then, before the World-Honored One, he made the profound vow of bodhicitta: “With the merit from these offerings, may I attain the fruit of a Tathāgata, the perfectly and fully awakened one, and benefit all boundless sentient beings trapped in ignorance.”

The World-Honored One immediately praised him and gave him an enlightenment prophecy: “Excellent! Excellent! You will become the teacher of gods and humans, a Tathāgata, the perfectly and fully awakened one, and your name will be the Tathāgata Who Sees the True Meaning.”