His Last Convert

At that time there lived at Kusinara a wandering ascetic named Subhadda. He heard the news that the ascetic Gotama would attain Parinibbána in the last watch of the night, and he thought of seeing Him. So he went to the Upavattana Sala Grove of the Mallas and inquired of the Venerable Ánanda whether he could see the Buddha.

"Enough, friend Subhadda, do not worry the Accomplished One. The Blessed One is wearied." For the second and third time Subhadda made his request, and for the second and third time the Venerable Ánanda replied in the same manner.

The Buddha overheard their conversation, and addressing Ánanda said:

"Nay, Ánanda, do not prevent Subhadda from entering. Let Subhadda behold the Accomplished One. Whatsoever Subhadda will ask of me, all that will be with the desire for knowledge, and not to annoy me. And whatever I shall say in answer he will readily understand."

Permission being thus granted, Subhadda approached the Buddha, and exchanging friendly greetings with Him spoke to Him as follows:-"There are these ascetics and priests, O Gotama, who are leaders of companies and congregations, who are heads of sects, and are well-known, renowned religious teachers, esteemed as good men by the multitude - as for instance Purana Kassapa, Makkhali Gosala, Ajita Kesakambali, Pakudha Kaccayana, Sanjaya Belatthiputta, Nigantha Nataputta. Have they all, as they themselves claim, thoroughly understood or not, or have some of them understood, and some not?"

"Let it be so, Subhadda! Trouble not yourself as to whether all or some have understood or not. I shall teach the doctrine to you. Listen and bear it well in mind. I shall speak.

"So be it Lord!" replied Subhadda.

The Blessed One spoke as follows:

"In whatever Dispensation there exists not the Noble Eightfold Path, neither is the first Samana, nor the second, nor the third, nor the fourth, to be found therein. In whatever Dispensation there exists the Noble Eightfold Path, there are also to be found the first Samana, the second Samana, the third Samana, and the fourth Samana. In this Dispensation there exists the Noble Eightfold Path. Here indeed, are found the first Samana, the second Samana, the third Samana, and the fourth Samanas.

The other foreign schools are empty of Samanas. If, O Subhadda, the disciples live rightly, the world would not be void of Arahants. "My age was twenty-nine when I went forth as a seeker after what is good. Now one and fifty years are gone since I was ordained, O Subhadda. Outside the fold there is not a single ascetic who acts even partly in accordance with this realizable doctrine."

Subhadda then praised the Buddha for His lucid exposition of the Noble Dhamma and seeking refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, expressed his desire to receive the Lesser and the Higher Ordination.

The Buddha said:

"Whosoever, Subhadda, being already committed to the other doctrines, desires the Lesser and Higher Ordination in this Dispensation, remains on probation for four months. At the end of four months, the disciples approving, he is ordained and raised to the status of a Bhikkhu. Nevertheless, with discretion I make individual exceptions."

Subhadda agreed to abide by the regulation, but the Buddha requested the Venerable Ánanda to ordain Subhadda.

In the presence of the Blessed One, Subhaddab received the Lesser and Higher Ordination and before long attained Arahantship.

He was the last personal convert of the Buddha.