After bidding a heartfelt farewell to his loyal companion Channa, Sramana Siddhartha embarked on a profound journey, his feet tracing the ancient path from the tranquil banks of River Anoma toward the ancient city of Rajagriha. Renowned for its venerable history and revered as a sanctuary for spiritual luminaries, Rajagriha beckoned Siddhartha with the promise of enlightenment whispered through the corridors of time.

For seven arduous days, Siddhartha navigated the rugged terrain, each step a testament to his unwavering determination as he pressed onward toward the heart of Rajagriha. As he reached the city gates, he found himself enveloped in the vibrant atmosphere of a bustling marketplace, still abuzz from a recently concluded festival.

Despite his noble birth, Siddhartha humbled himself before the sacred practice of alms begging, a profound act of surrender to the journey of enlightenment. For the first time in his life, he traversed the streets, beseeching sustenance from door to door. Yet, his serene countenance and regal bearing drew the curious gaze of those he encountered.

Intrigued whispers swirled amidst the throngs, some daring to speculate if Sramana Siddhartha walked among mortals as a divine entity. Consequently, a growing procession trailed in his wake, their hearts stirred by the enigmatic presence. High above in the opulent halls of his palace, King Bimbisara observed the unfolding spectacle from his balcony, his curiosity piqued by the ethereal figure who captivated the populace below.

Eager to unravel the mystery surrounding this wanderer, King Bimbisara dispatched a vigilant guard to shadow Siddhartha’s movements. With his alms bowl filled with the sustenance of kind strangers, Siddhartha sought solace upon a hill overlooking Rajagriha. The vigilant palace guard quickly relayed the unfolding tale to the inquisitive ears of King Bimbisara.

However, Siddhartha felt sickened and wanted to vomit as he prepared to eat his alms. The sight and smell were too unpleasant for him because he had always eaten rich food as a prince.

To understand why Siddhartha reacted this way, we need to look at how alms begging worked in ancient India and why Buddhists saw it as a form of asceticism.

In ancient times, food was often scarce, especially since farming wasn’t advanced like it is today. Meat was rare and mostly eaten by wealthy people. For most others, meals were simple, made up of things like vegetables, grains, and dairy products. In addition to that, there was no way to keep food fresh for long.

Families usually cooked just once a day to save fuel. Beggars and monks would ask for food early in the morning when it was still fresh. But not everyone could offer fresh food. Some families might give leftovers from the day before, which could easily go bad because there were no fridges.

Also, people didn’t always give to beggars. They might ignore them, tell them to go away, or only give a little bit of food. So beggars might get a mix of good and bad food, fruits, rice, curries, and even stale gruel.

So when Siddhartha faced his alms food, it was a mix of fresh and old, good and bad. It was nothing like the fancy food he was used to.

Nonetheless, Siddhartha managed to overcome his aversion by reminding himself about his goal of enlightenment and ate his first alms meal with lots of mindfulness. Meanwhile, King Bimbisara was on his way to meet the enigmatic Siddhartha and arrived shortly after Siddhartha had finished his meal.

Upon meeting Siddhartha, King Bimbisara was struck by his presence and mannerisms. He extended an offer of kingship, inviting Siddhartha to rule alongside him and share in the wealth and power of the kingdom. 

Siddhartha then revealed his royal lineage and declined King Bimbisara’s offer, expressing his unwavering commitment to the pursuit of enlightenment. Moved by Siddhartha’s determination, King Bimbisara bid him farewell, but not before requesting Siddhartha to return to Rajagriha City upon attaining enlightenment.

Discussion

Why did Buddha and his monks beg for alms in ancient India? Are there any benefits or reasons for doing so?

Do you think the practice of alms begging is still relevant today?

Reflect on how alms begging differs from the religious donation of modern times. For example, Buddhist monks during the Buddha’s time did not make a distinction between Buddhist and non-Buddhist households. Do you think this may help spread awareness of Buddha’s messages?