The Story of Phra Rohana and Phra Nagasena : หน้า 30/105

The story of Phra Rohana and Phra Nagasena Rohana was a monk who, after the death of Lord Buddha, had a revelation. He saw that the child Nagasena, the recently born son of a Brahmin, would play an important role in the spread of Buddhism in the future. This child possessed unusual intelligence and wisdom. Rohana began seeking alms at Nagasena’s house following the child’s birth and continued to go everyday, for seven years, despite Nagasena’s family never having offered any alms. When asked why he had done this, Rohana replied that he did not want or expect anything from the family, he merely wanted the child to become accustomed to seeing a monk. Rohana knew that the child’s instincts possessed great curiosity. If the child were to see Rohana often enough, he might begin to ask questions, and that would open the opportunity for Rohana to show him the way of the Buddha’s teachings. In the end, Rohana’s patience paid off when Nagasena reached seven years of age. Nagasena had grown up to become a child more gifted and talk- ative than any others of his age. One day, while Rohana was seeking alms in front of Nagasena’s house, the child came to him and asked: “How come your hair and your beard do not look like any one else’s? Why have you shaved off your hair and beard?” Rohana was very happy that his perseverance paid off. He took great care in answering in full detail, Nagasena’s question. Due to the child’s unusual intelligence, he was satisfied with Rohana’s reply.