This river figures in another incident later in Buddha's life. The Sakyans and the Koliyans were neighbors whose territory was separated by the Rohini. Both communities had dammed the river to get enough water for their crops. As summer progressed, it became clear there would not be enough water for everybody, so talk grew bitter, insults were shouted, and fighting broke out between the laborers of both sides. When the Sakyan and Koliyan nobles heard of the insults that had been directed towards them, they armed themselves, determined to uphold their family honor.

As the Lord surveyed the world at dawn he saw his kinsmen and thought: "If I do not go, these men will destroy each other." He immediately seated himself in the air in the middle of the river. When they saw him, the soldiers threw down their weapons and worshiped him.

(The Life of Buddha in Pictures, Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple, Penang, Malaysia)

PREVIOUS
NEXT
QUIT