71. The Attack of Mara, date unknown,

Tep Pranam, Siem Reap, Cambodia, stone.

 

 

Five months after the crisis under the Bodhi tree and three months after Gautama’s arrival at the Migadaya wood, he called together all his disciples, who at that time numbered sixty persons, and sent them in different directions to preach and teach, leaving Yasa only to remain at Benares near his parents.

The Burmese account states that on this occasion Buddha gave the following speech: “Beloved Rahans (‘monks’), I am free from the five great passions which, like an immense net, encompass men and [gods]; you too, owing to the instructions you have received from me, enjoy the same glorious privilege. There is now incumbent on us a great duty, that of labouring effectually on behalf of men and [gods], and procuring to them the invaluable blessing of the deliverance. To the end of securing more effectually the success of such an undertaking, let us part with each other and proceed in various and opposite directions, so that no two of us should follow up the same way. Go ye now, and preach the most excellent Law, expounding every point thereof, and unfolding it with care and attention in all its bearings and particulars. Explain the beginning, the middle, and the end of the law to all men without exception: let everything respecting it be made publicly known and brought to broad daylight. Show, now, the way leading to the practise of pure and meritorious works. You will meet, doubtless, with a great number of mortals not as yet hopelessly given up to their passions, and who will avail themselves of your preaching for reconquering their hitherto forfeited liberty, and freeing themselves from the thrall of passions. For my part, I will direct my course to the village of Sena, situated in the vicinity of the solitude of Uruwela.”

Throughout his career, Gautama was in the habit of travelling about during most of the fine part of the year, teaching and preaching to the people; but during the four rainy months, from June to October, he remained in one place devoting himself more particularly to the instruction of his declared followers.