The Naming Ceremony

On the fifth day after the Prince’s birth, he was named Siddhattha Gotama, which means ‘wish fulfilled’. His family name was Gotama.’ In accordance with the ancient custom, many learned Brahmins were invited to the palace for this naming ceremony. Amongst them were eight distinguished men. Examining the characteristics of the child, seven of them raised two fingers and gave a double interpretation, saying that he would either become a Universal Monarch or a Buddha.

But the youngest Kondanna, who excelled the others in knowledge, raised only one finger and firmly declared that he would definitely retire from the world and become a Buddha.