Criticism Galore

When the three Kassapa brothers of Uruvela along with their thousand matted-hair ascetics became the Buddha’s disciples, the followers of the Kassapa brothers from Anga were deeply hurt. Sariputta and Mogallana also became the Buddha’s disciples. Along with them, 250 others left their teacher and became the Buddha’s disciples. Some people of Rajgir became upset with the Buddha because of this. When the bhikkhus went out on their alms-round, these people would criticize and abuse them. “Samaṇa Gotama has come to make married women widows and mothers childless. He has come here to destroy family lines.” The bhikkhus told the Buddha about this criticism. The Buddha advised them to remain calm. If one is not shaken in the face of adverse situations and remains patient, then the fruit is always sweet. All the disciples of the Buddha became skilled at being unperturbed due to Vipassana.