Today, we’ll discuss two characters from the Amitabha Sutra.
We have already talked about one, Ananda who is “Foremost in Learning.”
The second is Rahula, who is the son of Shakyamuni Buddha.
He was born to his first wife Yasodhara, and was Shakyamuni Buddha’s first son. This section talking about Rahula appears on page eighteen of “Explanation of The Buddha Speaks of Amitabha Sutra”. This section is very simple, everyone will understand it by taking a look. So this part I will not go into detail! That concludes today’s lecture. Ok!
In the past he had blocked a mouse hole for six days. As a result, he remained in the womb for six years. It is said that Yasodhara was pregnant for six years before giving birth to him; a son.
All those in and out of the palace, including the king and other members of the Shakya clan, were filled with anger and ordered them to be thrown into a fire pit. Yasodhara made a great vow, “If I did any wrongdoing, both my child and me will perish. If this is truly the Buddha's son, may Heaven be my witness.”
Having finished saying that, she embraced her child and leapt into the fire pit.
The fire pit transformed into a cool pond, lotus flowers supported their bodies. The king and the people of the kingdom no longer doubted her.
Later, when the Buddha returned to the kingdom, Yasodhara instructed her son Rahula to offer the Buddha a Mahotika [a type of food offering intended to express joy]. Rahula at a young age was able to respectfully present the offering to the Buddha in the midst of the assembly. Through this, Yasodhara brought an end to the slander.
In the past known as Venerable the Concealed/Hidden One, Crown prince of the Buddha, Foremost in Secret (or hidden) Practices.
