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BUDDHISM
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to Kapilavastu, but according to custom remained in the grove outside the town. His father and relatives came to see him there. And the next day Gautama himself went into the town begging alms from the people who once adored him as their beloved prince and master. The story goes on to say that the king rebuked Gautama for this act, but Gautama replied it was the custom of his race. “But”, retorted the king, "we are descended from an illustrious race of warriors and not one of them has ever begged his bread.” “You and your family,” answered Gautama, “may claim descent from kings; my descent is from the prophets, Buddhas of the old.”
The king took his son to the palace where all the members of the family came to greet him except his wife. The deserted Yashodhara with a wife's grief and a wife's pride exclaimed, “If I am of any value in his eyes he will himself come; I can welcome him better here." Gautama understood this and went to her with only two disciples with him. And when Yashodhara saw her lord and prince enter-a recluse with shaven head and yellow robes—her heart failed her; she flung herself to the ground, held his feet and burst into tears. Then remembering the impossible gulf between them, she rose and stood aside; she listened to his new doctrine and when subsequently Gautama was induced to establish an order of female mendicants Yashodhara became one of the first Buddhist nuns. Just at this time however she remained in her house but Rahula, Gautama's son, was converted. Gautama's father was aggrieved at this and asked Gautama to establish a rule that no one should in future be admitted to the order without his parent's consent. Gautama consented to this and made a rule accordingly.
On his way back to Rajgriha, Gautama stopped for
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