The Challenge and Preparation
The Brother of King Bimbisara
King Bimbisara was a king who had a firm faith in the Buddha. He supplied the Buddha and his monks with the four necessities*.
One day, six heretic teachers, led by Purnakasyapa, started teaching in their land. Their wrong views spread widely and gathered a lot of disciples. King Bimbisara’s younger brother was one of the many who believed in them. As a sign of faith, the brother planned to host a meal for these six heretic teachers.
The Buddha and the Six Heretic Teachers
The Buddha and his assembly were also invited. Having come, the Buddha and his assembly sat according to seniority. When the Buddha sat, the seats of the six heretic teachers suddenly dropped the lowest.
The six teachers felt embarrassed. They stood up and fixed their seats, only to find their seats drop again. This happened three times, until they gave up, ashamed.
Then, the younger brother of King Bimbisara offered water for washing of hands to the Buddha. The Buddha said to offer the water first to the six teachers. When the jar was poured on their hands, no water came out. But when it was the Buddha’s turn, water poured from the jar. The Buddha and his assembly washed their hands.
Then, the younger brother again asked the Buddha to bless the food. The Buddha gestured to him to ask the six heretic teachers to bless the food. When it was the six teachers’ turn, they could not open their mouths to utter a prayer. However, when it was the Buddha’s turn to bless the food, the Buddha was able to say some blessings.
After which, the younger brother offered food to the Buddha and his assembly. The Buddha gestured to offer the food first to the six heretic teachers. When it was their turn to receive their foods, their plates flew to the sky. When the Buddha and his assembly finally received their food, the plates fell on the heretic teachers’ hands.
No Longer Interested with the Six Teachers
Finally, after finishing their food and having rinsed their mouths, the Buddha was asked to teach the Dharma. The Buddha again gestured to ask the six heretic teachers to teach first. Again, they could not open their mouths. Instead, they gestured for the Buddha to teach.
Upon teaching, many listeners were calmed and they developed faith in the Buddha. King Bimbisara’s younger brother also had faith in the Buddha and no longer listened to the six teachers.
The Six Teachers Challenged the Buddha’s Powers
When everyone left the feast, Mara appeared to the six heretic teachers. They were fully embarrassed by the series of events. Mara showed them wonders. And they became proud.
Having gathered a multitude of people, they challenged the Buddha, saying, “If the Buddha does one wonder, we will do two. If he does two, we will do four, and so on.”
They then told King Bimbisara, “Give us a week and we will set the stage to challenge the Buddha.” King Bimbisara laughed, “How can you challenge the Buddha? Someone who has uncountable virtues and spiritual powers, with immeasurable attainments?
You will just be defeated. But do it as you wish!”
The Gathering of the Great Audience
When the King told this to the Buddha, the Buddha replied, “Let them choose the place and time. It is they who want to challenge me.”
King Bimbisara then made many offerings for the Buddha on the stage. However, the day before the competition, the Buddha and his Assembly left the city and proceeded to the Licchavis. The six heretic teachers went after the Buddha. King Bimbisara arranged for one hundred chariots and also followed behind.
The Licchavis then approached the Buddha with the same message from the six teachers. The Buddha accepted the challenge, only to leave again the day before the event. He and his assembly went to Kausambhi.
From there, they proceeded to Varaci, Digyasri, Benares, Kapila (the land of the Sakya family), and finally Sravasti. All the Kings and citizens of these lands followed the Buddha and his assembly.
Challenge Accepted
There in Sravasti, the six teachers approached King Prasenajit, Sravasti’s ruler, with the same challenge. King Prasenajit laughed at their request.
“You will lose!”, he scoffed.
The King then delivered the message to the Buddha.
“So be it,” the Buddha finally accepted.
The King then prepared the stage, flowers, incense offerings, the lion throne and the victory banners. He gathered a great entourage, and prepared many food and great offerings on the stage.
On the first day of the first month of spring, the Buddha came. He sat on the throne. All the materials were then offered to him, and the Buddha was honored.
Next: The fifteen days of miraculous displays and victory
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*Four necessities: offering to the monastic 1)food and drink, 2) clothing, 3) bedding and 4) medicine