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Even though he was a prince, Abhay was skilled in chariot warfare. Once, he solved a complex issue of boundary dispute with his exceptional talent, which pleased Bimbisara so much that he gifted him a very beautiful dancer.
In the Abhaykumarasutta of Majjhimanikaya 72, there is an incident - once the Tathagata Buddha was wandering in the Veluvana Kalandaka residence of Rajagriha. At that time, Prince Abhay reached Niganth Nayaputta. Niganth Nayaputta said to Abhay, "Prince! If you debate with the Shraman Gautam, your fame will spread throughout the universe and people will talk about how Abhay debated with the great Shraman Gautam." Abhay asked, "Bhanta! How should I start the debate?"
Niganth Nayaputta said, "You should ask the Buddha if the Tathagata can speak words that are unpleasant to others? If they agree, then ask what is the difference between a worldly being (samsari jiva) and the Tathagata? If they give a negative answer, then ask why did you predict that Devadatta will be a sinner, a nirayika, a hell-dweller for kalpas, and incurable? He is angry with your prediction. By asking questions from both sides, Shraman Gautam will neither be able to swallow nor spit. Just like a man's throat gets stuck with an iron rod, he cannot swallow or spit, the same will be the situation of the Buddha."
Prince Abhay saluted Niganth Nayaputta and went to the Buddha. He saluted and sat on one side, but it was not the time for debate. So Abhay thought, "Tomorrow I will invite the Tathagata Buddha home and debate with him!" He invited the Buddha for a meal and went to his royal palace. The next day at noon, wearing his robe and carrying his bowl, the Buddha reached Abhay's royal palace. Abhay offered him the best food with his own hands. When the Buddha was fully satiated, Prince Abhay sat down on the seat below and started the debate - "Bhanta! Can the Tathagata speak words that are unpleasant to others?"
Buddha - "It cannot be said so in isolation." Hearing this, Prince Abhay exclaimed, "Bhanta! Niganth is destroyed."
When the Buddha asked, he explained, "Bhanta! I went to Niganth Nayaputta. He encouraged me to ask you this tricky question. His opinion was that by asking such questions, Gautam would neither be able to swallow nor spit."
A little child was sitting in Prince Abhay's lap, playing. Aiming at him, the Buddha said, "Prince, if your (or your nurse's) carelessness causes this child to put a piece of wood or a stone in his mouth, what will you do?"
"I will take it out, Bhanta! If he doesn't let me take it out directly, I will hold his head with my left hand and bend my finger with my right hand and take it out even with blood! Because I have affection for him."
Buddha - "Prince! The Tathagata does not speak untrue, meaningless, and unpleasant words. Even if the words are true, if they are harmful, he does not speak them. The words that are true and meaningful, whether pleasant or unpleasant, are spoken by the Kalagya
70. Majjhimanikaya Abhayrajakumarasutta 71. Dhammapada Atthakatha 13-4 72. Majjhimanikaya Abhayakumarasutta Chapter-76
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