She led the boy to the window and pointed.
“That monk, clothed in the yellow robe, he whose face shines like the sun in its strength, is your father. And he has great wealth—riches, not to be told in words. Go, son, and demand your inheritance.”
And the boy went, wondering and desiring, and in the garden he ran quickly and catching the robe of the Blessed One, he said:
“My father, how happy I am to be near you. O day of gladness,” and tears of joy overflowed his eyes, seeing his father so great and beautiful. But to test him, the Blessed One was silent, pacing toward the Nyagrodha grove, and still the child followed, entreating for his inheritance.
Then when they reached the grove, the Perfected One turned smiling to Sariputta the great disciple, and he said:
“Monk, what think you? For worldly wealth perishes, but this remains. Shall I make my son heir to the Greatest? Let us admit him to the Order.”
And it was done, and the heart of the Princess sang within her for bliss, and henceforward the boy trod the way of Peace.
So leaving joy and tranquillity behind him and measureless content in the soul of Yashodara, the Blessed One returned to Shravasti on the river Rapti and there a rich merchant, Anathapindika, gave to the Order a pleasant grove named Jetavana, and a monastery, and there during the rains our Lord dwelt and many of his teachings and discourses were spoken at Jetavana.
And this was the manner of his life.
The Blessed One would rise early in the morning, and that some one of his followers might gain merit he accepted service, and water was brought to him for ablution, and having performed this he would sit alone until it was time to go and beg his food. Then he would put on his tunic, girdle, and robe, and taking his bowl would enter the village or town for alms. Sometimes alone, sometimes with other monks, many of them men of great and noble birth. And it seemed that gentle breezes cleared the air for him and clouds let fall rain to lay the dust, and where he placed his foot the way was even and pleasant and flowers blossomed. And it appeared to those who saw, that rays of radiance surrounded his person, since he possessed the attributes of that true world which encompasses the illusions of the false world perceived by the senses.