The Perfection of Patience - Analysis of the Elements VIII

If we want to develop the perfection of patience, we should not forget to accumulate endurance in each situation, be it with regard to seats, beds or anything else in our environment. We read further on:

“The Buddha was born into a prominent family

and also Pukkusati had grown in the womb of a mother of prominent family,

a Khattiya family.

The Buddha attained what he had aspired to,

and so did the son of a prominent family.

Each of them had left his kingdom to become a monk.

The Buddha was of a golden complexion and so was the son of a prominent family.

Both of them possessed specific attainments (samapatti).

Both of them were Kings... both of them had left their status of royalty to go forth...

They entered the potter’s workshop and sat down in that way.

For that reason the potter’s workshop became extremely beautiful and delightful.

 

To the Buddha the thought did not occur that he was of delicate constitution,

that he had travelled all the way of fortyfive leagues within one day,

and that he would take first the ‘lion’s posture’, just for a moment,

so that he could recover from tiredness caused by his journey.

Therefore, the Buddha sat down and entered fruition attainment (phala samapatti).

As regards Pukkusati, it did not occur to him

that he had travelled all the way of hundred and twentynine leagues

and that he should first take a rest, just for a moment,

to dispel the tiredness caused by his journey.

He sat down and entered the fourth jhana with Mindfulness of Breathing.

 

Question: Did the Buddha not come there with the thought to teach Dhamma

to the son of a prominent family?

Why did he not teach?

 

Answer: He did not teach because the son of a prominent family was tired
from his journey,

and thus he had not sufficient calm to receive the teaching of Dhamma.

First he should be able to overcome the tiredness of his journey

and become calm....”