THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA: CHAPTER X – SUJAATAA’S WISH

THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA: CHAPTER X – SUJAATAA’S WISH

The ascetic Gotama set off on His own and reached the river Neranjara. He started to meditate under a tree.

In this area there lived a noble lady by the name of Sujaataa. She had taken a vow to the Deva whom she believed lived in this tree, and had prayed for a good son. On having her prayer answered, she prepared a dish of milk rice and went to the tree to offer it to the Deva. On seeing the ascetic so calm and beautiful she offered it to Him, thinking that He was the Deva. She said, “May your wishes be fulfilled just as mine have been.”

The ascetic Gotama ate the food, put the bowl into the river, and tested His mind-power by saying, “If I attain the supreme knowledge of enlightenment today, may this bowl float upstream.” The bowl floated upstream. This encouraged Him further.

Thereafter He went to Gaya and sat under a tree to meditate, determined to achieve the supreme knowledge on that day