The Discourse on the Fruits of Recluseship

Book excerpt: The Buddha traces the entire progress of a disciple from the first step on the path to the attainment of Nibbana in this second sutta of the Sutta Pitaka, one of the most elevating of the Buddha's discourses. On a full-moon night in Autumn, in reply to a question asked by King Ajatasattu of Magadha, the Buddha expounds the visible fruits of the Buddhist monk's life, sketching the progress of the disciple. "Originating in response to a question whether the life of a recluse is capable of yielding fruits that are visible here and now, the Sāmaññaphala Sutta is intended to explain to the secular world at large why so many “young men of good family” (and women as well) chose to leave behind their homes, wealth, loved ones, and status in order to follow the Sage of the Sakyan clan into homelessness." —Bhikkhu Bodhi