________________ Vaisali and Gautama Buddha 315 We are informed by the Buddhist sources (e.g., Mahavastu) that, owing to drought, a famine ravaged the city of Vaisali to such an extent that people died in large numbers. The smell of the decaying bodies attracted evil spirits and many inhabitants were attacked by intestinal disease. The people complained of it in a general assembly convoked by them. The assembly. after much discussion, decided to invite the Buddha to their city. At that time the lord was in Veluvana in Rajagaha. The Licchavi Mabali, a friend of Bimbisara and son of the chaplain of Vesali, was sent for this purpose. The Buddha accepted the invitation. He started with five hundred Bhikkhus. Bimbisara decorated the route from Rajagaba to the Ganges, a distance of five leagues, and provided all comforts on the way. He himself accompanied the Buddha up to the Ganges. They reached the Ganges in five days. Boats decked with great splendour were ready for the Buddha and his monks. The king of Magadha even followed the Buddha into the water up to his neck to give him his respectful farewell. On the yonder banks, the Licchavis were ready to pay obeisance to their Redeemer. The Licchavis of Vaisali decorated their roads with a magnificence that left the Haryanka king of Magadba far behind in preparations. As soon as the Buddha set foot in the Vajjian territory, there was a thunderstorm and rain fell in torrents. The distance from the Ganges to Vesali was three leagues. When the Sugata approached the city, Sakka, chief of the Devas, came to gr him and at the sight of the Devas, all the malign influences that hung over the country vanished and the evil spirits that worked havoc with the people of Vaisali fled in fear. In the evening the Enlightened One taught Ananda the Ratana Sutta, and ordered that it should be recited within the three walls of the city. This was performed by Ananda during the three watches of the night and all the pestilences of the citizens disappeared. The Tathagata himself recited the Ratana Sutta to the assembled people and eighty-four thousand persons were converted. After seven days Buddha left Vesali. The Licchavis accompanied him to the Ganges with redoubled honours. On the farther bank Bimbisara awaited his arrival and conducted him back to Rajagaha. It was probably during this visit of the Buddha to Vesali that Suddhodana died. According to one account, the Buddha went through the air to visit his dying father and to preach to him and thereby enabling him to attain arahantship before his death.. Thus already we see that the city of Vaisali was hallowed by the happy light of the Great Amitabha even early in his career.
