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The Tathāgata became successful with the bhiksus. With rapt attention, they listened to his words. For the first time, the Buddha gave them the Dhar ma -cakr apra - vartana Sūtra. Said he,
"Bhiksus! A monk should neither be a slave unto his sens es, nor should he inflict too heavy a torture on his body. He should avoid extremes. This is the Middle Path (madhyama pratipadā)".
Being thus equipped with seen-religion (drsta -dhar - ma), known-religion (vidita -dhar ma) and the middle path, Kaundinya submitted to Bhagavān Buddha,
"Bhante! May thou initiate me ! May thou confer on me the upasampadā! "
Said the Bhagavān,
"Bhikṣu! I welcome thee. This religion is duly propounded. To terminate all misery, practise carefully the ways of a sramana".
Kauņdinya was thus initiated. Later, other four followed him. Thereon the Buddha imparted to them the necessary training by dint of which the bhikṣus were cleaned of their mental dirt (āsrava) and became liberated (29). At that time, there were six Ar hats in the world.
2. Yaśa and others - Yasa was a darling son of a s'resthis (honorary magistrate or notary) at Vārāṇasi. He had three palaces which he used at different seasons. He never came down from his apartment. Living at a top floor, he spent his life happily enjoying sweet music flowing from exquisitely beautiful maidens. One day, Yasa Kula-putra (which was his full name) was sleeping in his chamber. Suddenly he awoke and opened his eyes. In the light of the dim lamp, he looked at the girls all asleep, some with venā in their arms, some with mrdanga hanging from their neck, some with their hairs disshevelled, some pouring out saliva from their mouth and some snoring aloud. It was for him a ghastly sight, and he felt a disdain for the whole lot. His heart revolted. Suddenly, the following words dropped from his mouth,
