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CONVERSION OF THE HIGH AND THE HOLY
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approach the Buddha on their behalf to receive them as his disciples.
- Yashas agreed and he went to the Buddha, saying : “May the Blessed One preach the Dhamma to these four friends of mine.” The Lord agreed and Yashas’s friends took refuge in the Dhamma.
§ 2. Conversion of the Kassyapas
There lived in Benaras a family known as the Kassyapa family. There were three sons in the family. They were very highly educated and carried on a rigorous religious life.
After some time the eldest son thought of taking up Sannyasa. Accordingly he left his home, took Sannyasa and went in the direction of Uruvella where he established his Ashram.
His two younger brothers followed him and they too became Sannyasis.
They were all Agnihotris or worshippers of fire. They were called Jatilas because they kept long hair.
The three brothers were known as Uruvella Kassyapa, Nadi Kassyapa (Kassyapa of the River, i.e., the Niranjana), and Gaya Kassyapa (of the village Gaya).
Of these the Uruvella Kassyapa had a following of five hundred Jatilas ; Nadi Kassyapa had three hundred Jatilas as his disciples and Gaya Kassyapa had two hundred Jatilas. Of these the chief was Uruvella Kassyapa.
The fame of Uruvella Kassyapa had spread far and wide. He was known to have obtained Mukti (Salvation) while alive. People from far-away places came to his Ashram which was located on the banks of the river Falgu.
The Blessed Lord having come to know of the name and fame of Uruvella Kassyapa, thought of preaching his gospel to him and if possible to convert him to his Dhamma.
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