16/12/2025
Teachings of the Dhamma (3)
Venerable Yasa's mother and his former wife heard the doctrine expounded by the Buddha and, having attained. the first stage of Sainthood, became His first two lay female followers. Venerable Yasa had four distinguished friends named Vimala, Subahu, Punnaji and Gavampati When they heard that their noble friend shaved his hair and heard, and, donning the yellow mhe, entered the homeless life, they approached Venerable Yasa and expressed their desire to follow his example. Venerable Yasa introduced them to the Buddha, and, on hearing the Dhamma, they also attained Arahantship.
Fifty more worthy friends of Venerable Yasa, who belonged to leading families of various districts, also receiving instructions from the Buddha, attained Arahantship and entered the Holy Order.
Hardly two months had elapsed since His Enlightenment when the number of Arahants gradually rose to sixty. All of them came from distinguished families and were worthy sons of worthy fathers
The First Messengers of Truth (Dhammaduta) The Buddha who, before long, succeeded in enlightening sixty disciples, decided to send them as messengers of Truth to teach His new Dhamma to all without any distinction Before dispatching them in various directions He exhorted thern as follows. "Freed am I, O Bhikkhus, from all bonds, whether divine or human.
"You, too, O Bhikkhus, are freed from all bonds, whether divine or human.
"Go forth, O Bhikkhus, for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for for the world, for the good, benefit, and happiness of gods and men. Let not two go by one way: Preach, O Bhikkhus, the Dhamma, excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, excellent in the end, both in the spint and in the letter. Proclaim the Holy Life, altogether perfect and pure.
The Dhammapada :The Buddha’s Path of Wisdom
