“It has been over 5 years since the Buddha came to reside in this city, with Lord
Pasenadi Kosala and the wealthy Sudatta helping to support him. At the same time,
they have developed the city to be prosperous, especially Lord Pasenadi Kosala as the
ruler or host. Whenever there were guests, leaders, or famous Brahmin or ascetic
delegations visiting, he would welcome them and arrange accommodation well,
leading to the construction of many guesthouses for visitors and general pilgrims
around the city,” Lord Phoche elaborated.

“Can I go see the Buddha’s newly built residence?” I asked.

“Yes, of course. In fact, on the first day of Achita’s return, they headed straight to that
place because Achita desired to meet the Buddha the most,” he said.

Suddenly, I saw the image of me traveling to the Buddha’s residence appear. I saw
Achita and a group of over ten people walking out of the west gate of the city, crossing
the moat, and then turning left along a road paved with large bricks. The sides of the
road were lined with houses. They walked to the end of the road and then turned right
for about 200 meters to reach a gate. Behind the gate was a small Bodhi tree, about 2
years old. Walking inside, they saw a large building resembling a pavilion that
Buddhists use for offering food to monks. It was a wooden building raised on stilts with
a multi-tiered roof, reaching up to 12 levels. The surrounding area was a shady forest
with small houses scattered around. The building was located not far from a river,
within sight, making this place have a pleasant, shady, and livable atmosphere. I
observed the scene in sequence.

This place did not seem lonely. There were many people walking around, both
newcomers like me and residents, as could be seen from their daily routines. Those
who had traveled from elsewhere carried small cones of flowers. Some placed them at
the small Bodhi tree at the entrance, some placed them at the foot of the stairs where
there were water jars for washing feet before going up to the pavilion, and some placed
them on the seat where the Buddha usually sat. The residents were sweeping leaves
along the walkways, and some were lighting fires to burn twigs and grass.

Then I walked up to the large pavilion. The wooden floor was polished smooth. There
were hundreds of large wooden pillars. I noticed that Achita’s heart was beating faster
than normal. I saw people sitting and talking in groups. One of the groups talking saw
us and walked over.

“Lord Achita, this way, please,” said a handsome young man in a yellow robe, but with
his hair not shaved, greeting us and inviting us to sit on one side of the pavilion.

“Have we met before? How do you know my name?” Achita asked the young man as
she followed him.

“You probably don’t remember me. It’s been about 15-16 years since that day. The last
time I saw you, I was only 10 years old. I still remember the day you and Master
Bavari’s group set off on bamboo rafts very clearly. It was a grand day for me. You
looked determined and resolute. I even thought that one day I would follow in your
footsteps by setting out to seek the truth as you did,” the young man said, inviting us to
sit on the floor on one side of the pavilion.

“What is your name?” Achita asked.

“My name is Revata. For many years, I followed my parents until I had the opportunity
to attend to the Buddha. When I had the chance to listen to the conversations between
my parents and the Buddha, I gained new eyes that saw the things around me change,
saw people change, and discovered who I am, where I came from, and what I must do.
So, I vowed to help spread the Buddha’s teachings,” Revata replied.

“Is that so… Lord Revata, may I ask you something? I want to know if the Buddha has
the 32 characteristics that match the scriptures of a great man that we have learned,”
Achita asked with excitement at meeting someone close to the Buddha.

“Please don’t take my words as criticism, Lord Achita. I am actually young enough to be
your son, and also young in age and experience. Since I have been close to the Buddha
until today, do you know that I have never been interested in external appearances or
the characteristics you mentioned even once? What I am interested in and value are
what he says, the principles he teaches, and the conduct he shows me. For example, if I
told you that the Buddha doesn’t have any of the characteristics according to the
scriptures, would you still want to meet the Buddha?”

“Hmm,” Achita didn’t say anything.

“Lord Achita… as someone who has devoted your whole life to seeking the truth, the
state that I received from the experience of listening to the Buddha’s teachings, which
gave me new eyes, do you think it is more exciting?” Revata said.

“Uh…” Achita still hesitated and didn’t answer.

At this moment, in my feelings as I heard Achita’s thoughts, it was clear that “Even
though this young man is only in his early twenties, his words are profound, he has
sharp intellect, and it seems like he has already attained enlightenment.”

“If that’s the case, please tell me that important story,” Achita said humbly.

“Even though you are older, even though you have been seeking the truth for longer,
and have studied more knowledge, that may not be the factor that determines who is
superior. In the world of being Buddha, there is only who can find Buddhahood, and
when they find it, they will quickly share it with others so they can discover it too. If
anyone finds it and knows how valuable it is to their life, they will remember the
person who helped them find it, rather than respecting them based on rank or
seniority. If you desire to find Buddhahood, I am the proof. Today, I am 26 years old, never studied the three Vedas, never practiced asceticism, never practiced selfmortification. When I found it, I could immediately transcend everything,” Revata
explained.

“Now I realize that wisdom is what indicates a great man, not external characteristics,”
Achita said.

“That’s absolutely right. Currently, because the Buddha is the starting point for people
in the world to find Buddhahood, he is accepted as the one who helped them find it, not
respected for his age, ascetic practices, or extensive studies. Therefore, the mission of
someone who is already a Buddha is to travel and spread Buddhahood. The Buddha
has fulfilled that mission and just left 7 days before your arrival, with no set time to
return. It might be 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years. Will you wait here to meet the Buddha,
or will you travel to follow him?” Revata asked.

“I cannot wait even for a day or an hour. Please tell me which direction he traveled. I
will follow him until I find him,” Achita expressed her desire.

“I apologize that I cannot know the entire plan of where the Buddha will travel. I only
know that the first city he will travel to is Pañcanagara. If you reach there, ask where
the Buddha is and where he will travel to next,” Revata replied.

“Lord Phoche, what city is Pañcanagara?” I interrupted.