“Another group of Brahmins would separate to perform medical duties, which was
considered a very important role in being a refuge for the people. There was another
separate place called ‘Arokayasathan,’ like a hospital. Every day, many sick people
would come and go to receive treatment. Most of the treatment methods used herbs,
which were prepared by drying, grinding, boiling, and other processes by people
specialized in that. There were head Brahmins who were experts in specific areas,
including treatment by massage, herbal medicine, compresses, and sacred rituals. The
center for medical knowledge was located in the city of Takkasila, about 240
kilometers southwest of the city of Savatthi. Besides medicine, the city of Takkasila was
also known as a center for higher learning in various Brahmin disciplines. The main
discipline was the Vedas, which contained knowledge about various gods in the
Brahmin religion. There were also 18 separate schools of arts and sciences, including
schools of grammar and language usage, schools of social rules or law, schools of
languages other than the main language, schools of writing and literature, schools of
administration, schools of warfare, teaching the use of various weapons such as
swords, clubs, bows, and other weapons, schools of the history of various gods, schools
of astrology, casting horoscopes according to constellations, calculating the stars and
auspicious times, schools of mathematics, schools of music and dance, philosophy,
schools of herbal plants, medicine preparation, schools of commerce, and schools of
geography.”

“The number of students in each school would depend on the reputation of the head
teacher of that school.”

“Lord Phoche, does that mean the city of Takkasila is also in my country? Because it’s
only two hundred kilometers away from the city of Savatthi,” I asked Lord Phoche.

“Correct,” he replied.

“Can you tell me where it is? If I finish this journey, I’ll try to explore and prove it
myself,” I said.

“If you count southwest from Phrae province, which is the city of Savatthi, there is a
city. Actually, the name of this city was shortened over time. From what used to be
called Takkasila, it became ‘Mueang Tak,’ or ‘Tak City,’ as you know it today,” he replied.

“You mean Tak province?” I asked, surprised.

“Yes… but not the current city area. The location of Takkasila is a district not far away.
This place used to have vast structures, many expensive stone palaces. Tens of
thousands of people traveled from all directions to study various subjects. This place
was extensive and had the status of the capital of this region. But over two thousand
years, this institution faded away. The city was abandoned. The stone buildings were
dismantled and used to build temples and city walls during wars, leaving only the
foundations that couldn’t be removed buried underground. Later, when the villagers saw the remains of the foundations, which looked like rectangular ridges divided into
rooms, resembling the foundations of temples and monasteries, and looking like ‘rice
paddies,’ the villagers called this area ‘Na Bote,’ which is currently Tambon Na Bote,”
Lord Phoche explained.

“Master, I find it hard to believe that these stories are true because the history I learned
since childhood is that the city of Takkasila is in India,” I commented.

“Actually, you can explore Achita’s memories because he also studied here. It’s like
Brahmins of high status, who come from Brahmin families in big cities and are destined
to become teachers, are all sent to study here. This place is like a leading educational
institution, similar to a famous university where important figures must study and
where knowledge is imparted to princes from various cities. Even King Pasenadi Kosala
of the city of Savatthi studied here,” he replied.

“I also want to know what the Takkasila institution looked like, but what I want to
know more is how Master Bavari will renounce the world,” I suggested.

“As you wish. It’s your right,” he said.

The journey from Master Bavari’s school to the royal residence seemed more exciting
than usual for everyone. The news of Master Bavari’s request to renounce the world
had spread since the night before. He was a famous Brahmin who was respected by
many people. Those who knew the news came to stand along both sides of the road.
Those who didn’t know anything asked what was happening. The news of his
renunciation spread quickly like wildfire.

“I feel like the townspeople all know about my request to renounce the world,” Master
Bavari said to me as we walked towards the city entrance.

“Yes… it’s possible that whoever sent the message to the royal palace to request an
audience last night might have leaked the news,” I replied.

“I think this will be a big deal for King Pasenadi Kosala,” Master Bavari observed.

“Definitely,” I replied.

It was as Master Bavari predicted. When our group arrived at the royal hall, which was
the place for audiences, normally King Pasenadi Kosala would come out after everyone
was ready. But this time, when we entered the royal hall, we saw King Pasenadi Kosala
already waiting in his seat. And as soon as Master Bavari arrived, King Pasenadi Kosala
got up from his seat and walked towards him immediately. When Master Bavari sat
down, King Pasenadi Kosala bowed deeply before him.

“Today, I bow to you as a student who received knowledge from you, my teacher, not as
a king,” King Pasenadi Kosala, who was quite obese, sat down on the floor with
difficulty and spoke to Master Bavari with his hands in a prayerful gesture.

“Does Your Majesty know the purpose of my visit?” Master Bavari asked.

“I want to hear from your own mouth that what I have heard is not true,” King Pasenadi
Kosala said.

“I want to renounce the world and follow the path of an ascetic. This is my firm
intention,” Master Bavari replied.

“Please reconsider, my teacher,” King Pasenadi Kosala moved closer to Master Bavari,
almost touching him.

“I have considered it well,” Master Bavari replied.

“You are the teacher of my father, the teacher of myself, and this city has only you as the
pillar for making decisions. This city has prospered and stood as an important region
because of you. If you are gone, I fear the greatness of Savatthi will be nothing but a
legend,” King Pasenadi Kosala said with pleading eyes.

“Please think of it as if I died today, which must happen one day. Today or tomorrow is
the same,” Master Bavari replied.

“That’s true, my teacher, but please give me time to prepare myself,” he said.

“That is Your Majesty’s problem, which I have prepared for. I have trained many men to
take over my duties. But for me, this is a problem that no one can replace. This is the
end of my life. I have very little time left, and I don’t know how long it will take to
achieve the highest goal I desire. If I don’t start today, tomorrow there may be no
opportunity,” Master Bavari replied.

“I beg you, my teacher, please reconsider for my sake,” King Pasenadi Kosala said,
reaching out to hold Master Bavari’s knees.

“I have made up my mind. I will not change my mind,” Master Bavari insisted.

“In that case, your student will build a hermitage for the ascetic life, for you to reside
not far from the city. Will that be alright? I promise not to disturb you,” King Pasenadi
Kosala offered.

“Hmm…” Master Bavari paused to think.

“Your student will take care of your meals, and you will have full time for peace,” King
Pasenadi Kosala made an offer that made Master Bavari think hard, but it was a good
compromise for both sides.

“If it is Your Majesty’s wish, I will consider this a good omen for both of us to gradually
adjust. I accept Your Majesty’s offer,” Master Bavari said.

“Thank you, my kind teacher. Your student will expedite the construction of this
hermitage for you,” King Pasenadi Kosala said happily.

After that, King Pasenadi Kosala granted land with a forest-like environment outside
the city, not far away, as a place for meditation. He designated the area by enclosing it
with a fence to prevent any disturbance and provided funds to build 150 simple
hermitages, because there were 15 Brahmins and other Brahmins who decided to
renounce the world with their teacher, including myself. Although the teacher
suggested not building elaborate residences, without any conveniences, King Pasenadi
Kosala couldn’t help but add facilities because he didn’t want his teacher to live in
hardship, such as digging wells for consumption, building a dining hall where royal
attendants would bring food every day, building a pool for bathing, building sleeping
quarters and bedding, and building a storage for oil to light lamps at night, etc. He
completed the construction of this place in just 30 days. Then Master Bavari and a
number of disciples moved in.

From then on, Master Bavari, his disciples, and I were fully ordained as ascetics. We
completely stopped all worldly activities, ceased having contact with our families,
focused on meditation, lived simply, without any comforts, to refine defilements,
observed hundreds more precepts, lived every day with ourselves in peace, solitude,
away from people, living in small huts with only space to sleep. Each hut was located
far apart, with trees providing natural cover to avoid disturbing each other. Once a day,
everyone would meet in the morning for the meal, which was only one meal a day, and
again in the evening to share experiences.

About five years passed. Although this place was designed for peace and solitude, in
reality, there were still ministers and Brahmins who took over the duties of advising on
state affairs, coming to report what was happening. Even King Pasenadi Kosala would
often visit in the evening to discuss various problems he faced. So, it was impossible to
completely cut off from worldly matters. One day, when there were no visitors, Master
Bavari had an idea to discuss with all his disciples.

‘It seems we must seek a new place that is more peaceful and secluded. Living near the
city is an obstacle to the ascetic life. We still have to know about worldly affairs
constantly, which is no different from being a high priest,’ Master Bavari said to his
disciples during the daily meeting.

‘Whatever the teacher deems appropriate, we are ready to follow,’ I replied on behalf of
all the ascetics.

Soon after, Master Bavari informed King Pasenadi Kosala of this intention. As expected,
the king pleaded and begged Master Bavari to stay close to him, but this time it was in
vain. Master Bavari remained firm in his decision to seek a new place with suitable
conditions. King Pasenadi Kosala, seeing that he couldn’t resist, ordered a group of
soldiers to follow Master Bavari’s group. If he found a suitable place to stay, the
soldiers would help facilitate things, ensuring he didn’t have to suffer. The king also
provided funds for the journey.