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The Buddha's Early Advice on Organizing a Sangha
When leaving Vaishali, the Buddha looks back with the eyes of the elephant king to embrace the city’s beauty. In a conversation with King Prasenajit, the metaphor of four huge mountains crushing in from the north, south, east, and west is used to describe the inevitability of birth, old age, sickness, and death. The only answer to this impending reality is to live one’s days in mindfulness. Regarding King Ajatasatru’s ambition to invade the Vajji Republic, the Buddha outlines seven things that keep a nation strong and undefeatable:
- Frequently gather to discuss the problems of the nation.
- Realize unity and harmony in these discussions.
- Respect the laws that have been decreed.
- Listen to the voice and advice of the elders.
- Do not commit acts of oppression against those who have no power.
- Protect the ancestral temples.
- Listen to and act according to the advice of wise men.
Conflict between the Sakyas and Koliyas over irrigation water is resolved when the Buddha asks if water is more precious than human life. Before leaving Vulture Peak, the Buddha addresses the community on the seven ways to prevent the deterioration of the Sangha:
- Monks should meet each other very often.
- Concord and harmony should be the essence of these meetings.
- All monks should live according to the precepts they have received.
- Monks should listen carefully to their elders who have deep experience in the Dharma.
- Remember to live a simple life.
- Maintain a manner of quiet, tranquility, and mindfulness.
- Live in mindfulness of the body, feelings, mind, and dharmas.
Upon the death of Sariputra, Ananda feels he has lost his lucidity and strength, but is reminded that his brother in the Dharma did not take these qualities away with him. The assassination of Moggallana and the passing of King Prasenajit mark a period of loss, met with deep, quiet love. Stupas are discussed as reminders for practice, similar to the bell or touching one’s shaved head, though building a stupa for a teacher who practices non-self may go against their wishes; scattering ashes in nature aligns better with the practice. The precepts are described as a living tree that must grow and adapt to modern conditions to remain vital.