batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg-l6793-l6896
---
record_id: batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg-l6793-l6896
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
passage_locator:
label: TABLE VII. / THE BODISATS. / TABLE VIII. / THE DISTANT EPOCH.; lines 6793-6896
start: '6793'
end: '6896'
translation: Buddhist birth stories; or, Jataka tales, Volume 1
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: 'The passage narrates early episodes after the Buddha''s awakening: he
announces his Buddhahood to the five elders, teaches discourses that lead them
and others to stages of awakening, sends arahats out to preach, converts groups
including Uruvela Kassapa and his followers, visits King Bimbisara, and demonstrates
Kassapa''s discipleship before a royal and priestly assembly.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The Blessed One knows the thoughts of the five attendants and directs a pervasive
feeling of love toward them, after which they bow and welcome him reverently.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The five attendants initially address him by name or as “Brother,” and he
tells them not to address a Buddha in that way, declaring himself a Buddha.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: He teaches the five attendant elders a discourse called The Foundation of
the Kingdom of Righteousness while surrounded by myriads of angels.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Kondanya attains the Fruit of the First Path as the discourse concludes, and
the other four elders attain the same fruit on successive days.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: After a discourse On the Non-existence of the Soul, all five elders attain
Nirvana.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: The Master calls Yasa with the words “Follow me,” and Yasa attains the Fruit
of the First Path that night and Arahatship the next day.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: The Master receives Yasa’s fifty-four companions into the order with the formula
“Follow me!” and causes them to attain Arahatship.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: When there are sixty-one arahats, the Master sends sixty mendicants in different
directions to preach and teach.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: At the Kappasiya forest, the Master overcomes thirty young Bhadda-vaggiyan
nobles and receives them into the Order.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: At Uruvela, he overcomes three Hindu ascetic brothers and their thousand disciples
by performing three thousand five hundred miracles.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: The converted ascetics are established in Arahatship through a discourse On
the Lessons to be drawn from Fire.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: King Bimbisara comes to the Buddha with priests and nobles, falls at his feet,
and sits respectfully to one side with his retinue.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:13
text: The Buddha’s feet are described as bearing the sacred wheel and giving forth
a halo of light like a cloth-of-gold canopy.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: Priests and nobles wonder whether the Great Mendicant is a student under Uruvela
Kassapa or Kassapa is a student under the Great Mendicant.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:15
text: Uruvela Kassapa answers that sights, sounds, taste, sensual love, and sacrifice
are dross while sin remains, and he says he finds no charm in offerings.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:16
text: Kassapa bows to the Buddha’s feet, declares the Buddha his master and himself
the disciple, rises into the air seven times to increasing palm-tree heights,
descends, salutes, and sits aside.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:17
text: The multitude praises the power of the Buddhas and says Uruvela Kassapa has
broken through delusion and yielded to the successor of the Buddhas.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:18
text: The Buddha states that he overcame Uruvela Kassapa in former ages as well,
utters the Maha Narada Kassapa Jataka, proclaims the Four Truths, and King Magadha
with nearly all his retinue attains the Fruit of the First Path.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: The Blessed One / the Buddha / the Master
description: Awakened teacher who knows thoughts, declares his Buddhahood, teaches
discourses, admits followers to the Order, performs miracles, and proclaims the
Four Truths.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Five attendant elders
description: The five attendants who first bow to the Buddha, hear his teachings,
and attain Nirvana.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Kondanya the Believer
description: One of the five elders who attains the Fruit of the First Path as the
first discourse concludes.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Vappa, Bhaddiya, Maha Nama, and Assaji
description: The other four elders who attain the Fruit of the First Path on successive
days and later attain Nirvana with the five elders.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Myriads of angels
description: Angels surrounding the Buddha during the first discourse; myriads of
angels also attain the Fruit of the First Path with Kondanya.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Yasa
description: A young man of good family who leaves home in weariness of the world,
follows the Master, and attains Arahatship.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Yasa’s fifty-four companions
description: Companions of Yasa received into the Order and caused to attain Arahatship.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Sixty mendicant arahats
description: Arahats sent out by the Master in different directions to preach and
teach.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Thirty young Bhadda-vaggiyan nobles
description: Nobles overcome by the Master at Kappasiya forest and received into
the Order.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Uruvela Kassapa and the other two ascetic brothers
description: Three Hindu ascetic brothers overcome by the Buddha; Uruvela Kassapa
later publicly declares himself the Buddha’s disciple.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: The thousand disciples of the ascetic brothers
description: Disciples of the three ascetic brothers who are received into the Order
and established in Arahatship.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: King Bimbisara / king of Magadha
description: King who comes to the Buddha with a retinue, reveres him, and attains
the Fruit of the First Path with nearly all his retinue.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:9
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Priests and nobles in the king’s retinue
description: Attendants of the king who question the relation between the Great
Mendicant and Uruvela Kassapa; nearly all the retinue attains the First Path and
the rest become lay disciples.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: The multitude
description: Onlookers who praise the power of the Buddhas after seeing Kassapa’s
display and declaration.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
roles:
- id: role:1
label: Awakened teacher
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The figure declares himself a Buddha, teaches named discourses, proclaims
the Four Truths, and leads others to Paths, Nirvana, and Arahatship.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:9
- id: role:2
label: Miracle-working converter
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The Master overcomes ascetics through miracles and converts multiple groups
into the Order.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: Converted disciple or initiate
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
basis: These figures are described as attaining paths, Nirvana, or Arahatship, or
as entering the Order after the Master’s teaching or command.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:4
label: Witnessing assembly
assigned_to:
- fig:5
- fig:13
- fig:14
basis: These groups surround, observe, question, or praise during public teaching
and demonstration scenes.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:5
label: Missionary mendicant
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The sixty are sent out in different directions with instructions to preach
and teach.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: Former fire-sacrifice ascetic
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Uruvela Kassapa is asked why he abandoned the Fire God and fire sacrifice,
and he rejects reliance on sacrifice and offerings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:7
label: Royal or elite lay follower
assigned_to:
- fig:12
- fig:13
basis: The king and retinue revere the Buddha; most attain the First Path and others
become lay disciples.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:9
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Fire and fire sacrifice
literal_form: Fire God, sacrifice of fire, offerings, and the discourse On the Lessons
to be drawn from Fire
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: sym:2
label: Sacred wheel on the Buddha’s feet
literal_form: Mystic figure of the sacred wheel borne on the surface of the Buddha’s
feet
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:3
label: Halo of light
literal_form: Light from the Buddha’s feet like a canopy of cloth of gold
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:4
label: Formula of summons
literal_form: The words “Follow me!” used when receiving Yasa, his companions, and
other groups into the Order
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: Aerial ascent to palm-tree heights
literal_form: Uruvela Kassapa rises into the air to the height of one through seven
palm-trees
associated_figures:
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Recognition and first discourse to the five elders
summary: The Buddha knows the attendants’ thoughts, directs love toward them, receives
their reverence, declares his Buddhahood, and teaches The Foundation of the Kingdom
of Righteousness.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Successive attainment of the five elders
summary: Kondanya and then the other four elders attain the First Path, and all
five later attain Nirvana after the discourse On the Non-existence of the Soul.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Calling and ordaining Yasa and companions
summary: Yasa leaves home, is called by the Master, attains the First Path and Arahatship,
and his fifty-four companions are received into the Order and attain Arahatship.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Dispatch of the sixty arahats
summary: After the rainy season, the Master sends sixty mendicants in different
directions to preach and teach.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:8
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Conversion on the way to Uruvela
summary: The Master overcomes the thirty Bhadda-vaggiyan nobles, receives them into
the Order, and sends them out around the regions.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Conversion of the Kassapa ascetics
summary: At Uruvela, the Master performs miracles, overcomes the three ascetic brothers
and their thousand disciples, receives them into the Order, and establishes them
in Arahatship through a discourse on fire.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:7
label: Royal visit at the Palm-grove
summary: King Bimbisara arrives with priests and nobles, venerates the Buddha’s
sacred feet marked with the wheel and haloed with light, and sits respectfully
with his retinue.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:12
- fig:13
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:8
label: Kassapa’s public declaration of discipleship
summary: In response to doubts among the assembly, the Buddha questions Kassapa,
Kassapa rejects fire sacrifice, bows to the Buddha, declares himself disciple,
and rises into the air seven times before saluting and sitting aside.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:10
- fig:13
- fig:14
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: scene:9
label: Former conquest and proclamation of the Four Truths
summary: The Buddha says he had overcome Uruvela Kassapa in former ages, utters
the Maha Narada Kassapa Jataka, proclaims the Four Truths, and the king and most
of his retinue attain the First Path.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:10
- fig:12
- fig:13
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Teaching that initiates stages of awakening
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
- wisdom
basis: Multiple named discourses and proclamations cause hearers to attain the First
Path, Nirvana, Arahatship, or lay discipleship.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy terms are broad; the passage presents Buddhist soteriological
attainment rather than a generic initiation rite.
- id: motif:2
label: Miraculous conversion of rival ascetics
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The Buddha overcomes the ascetic brothers by miracles, receives them into
the Order, and Uruvela Kassapa publicly declares discipleship and rejects fire
sacrifice.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: No claim is made beyond this passage’s conversion sequence.
- id: motif:3
label: Aerial ascent as public proof of discipleship
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
basis: Uruvela Kassapa rises into the air to increasing palm-tree heights after
declaring the Buddha his master, prompting the multitude’s praise.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The ascent is performed by the disciple to demonstrate status and relation,
not by the primary hero.
- id: motif:4
label: Renunciation of fire sacrifice
taxonomy_refs:
- sacrifice
basis: Kassapa is asked why he abandoned the Fire God and fire sacrifice, and replies
that sacrifice and offerings are dross while sin remains.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage frames sacrifice as abandoned in favor of Buddhist discipleship;
it does not elaborate a full sacrificial myth.
- id: motif:5
label: Radiant sacred body sign of the awakened teacher
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The Buddha’s feet bear the sacred wheel and emit a halo of light as the king
venerates them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: No available taxonomy reference directly matches the sacred wheel or radiant
feet imagery.
- id: motif:6
label: Sending forth enlightened disciples to teach
taxonomy_refs:
- return
- wisdom
basis: After many become arahats, the Master sends sixty mendicants in different
directions to preach and teach.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The return taxonomy is only approximate; the passage emphasizes missionary
dispatch more than a completed return journey.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 6793-6809
quote_or_summary: 'The Blessed One knows the attendants’ thoughts, directs love
toward them, receives their reverence, and declares: “I ... am a Buddha.”'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 6810-6828
quote_or_summary: Surrounded by myriads of angels, the Buddha teaches The Foundation
of the Kingdom of Righteousness; Kondanya and then the other elders attain the
First Path, and all five attain Nirvana after the discourse On the Non-existence
of the Soul.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 6829-6837
quote_or_summary: Yasa leaves home, hears “Follow me, Yasa!”, attains the First
Path and Arahatship, and his fifty-four companions are received into the order
and attain Arahatship.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 6838-6843
quote_or_summary: When sixty-one persons are arahats, the Master sends sixty mendicants
in different directions with the words, “Go forth ... preaching and teaching.”
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 6843-6849
quote_or_summary: Going toward Uruvela, the Master overcomes the thirty young Bhadda-vaggiyan
nobles, receives them into the Order with “Follow me!”, and sends them out around
the regions.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 6850-6859
quote_or_summary: At Uruvela the Buddha overcomes three ascetic brothers and their
thousand disciples by 3,500 miracles, receives them into the Order, establishes
them in Arahatship through a discourse on fire, and goes to the Palm-grove near
Rajagaha.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 6860-6868
quote_or_summary: King Bimbisara comes with priests and nobles, falls at the Buddha’s
feet, which bear the sacred wheel and emit a golden halo, and sits respectfully
with his retinue.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 6869-6890
quote_or_summary: The assembly wonders about the relation between the Great Mendicant
and Uruvela Kassapa; the Buddha questions Kassapa, Kassapa rejects reliance on
sacrifice and offerings, declares the Buddha his master, and rises into the air
to heights of one through seven palm-trees.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 6891-6896
quote_or_summary: The multitude praises the power of the Buddhas; the Buddha says
he overcame Kassapa in former ages, utters the Maha Narada Kassapa Jataka, proclaims
the Four Truths, and the king with nearly all his retinue attains the First Path.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif labels use broad
available taxonomy references where directly supported; no external comparisons
are asserted.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not support a cautious comparison beyond its own Buddhist narrative context.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg__l6793-l6896
passage_sha256=f59ebc517e246bee428e708aba61c2211539bab13713850ccc1d1ebdad832fca