Reason to leave Home : from Buddha and his Dhamma

Invitiation into the Sakya Sangh 

• The Sakyas had their Sangh. Every Sakya youth above twenty had to be initiated into the Sangh and be a member of the Sangh.
• Siddharth Gautama had reached the age of twenty. It was time for him to be initiated into the Sangh and become a member thereof.
• The Sakyas had a meeting-house which they called Sansthagar. It was situated in Kapilavatsu. The session of the Sangh was also held in the Sansthagar.
• It was the rule of procedure among the Sakyas that there could be no debate without a motion and no motion could be declared carried unless it was passed three times.

Duties as a member of the Sangh :

• You must safeguard the interests of the Sakyas by your body, mind and money.
• You must not absent yourself from the meetings of the Sangh. 
• You must without fear or favour expose any fault you may notice in the conduct of a Sakya. 
• You must not be angry if you are accused of an offence but confess if you are guilty or state if you are innocent.

 What will disqualify from membership of the Sangh :

• You cannot remain a member of the Sangh if you commit rape.
• You cannot remain a member of the Sangh if you commit murder.
• You cannot remain a member of the Sangh if you commit theft.
• You cannot remain a member of the Sangh if you are guilty of giving false evidence.

Conflict with the Sangh

• Eight years had passed by since Siddharth was made a member of the Sakya Sangh.
• He was a very devoted and steadfast member of the Sangh. He took the same interest in the affairs of the Sangh as he did in his own. His conduct as a member of the Sangh was exemplary and he had endeared himself to all.
• In the eighth year of his membership, an event occurred which resulted in a tragedy for the family of Suddhodana and a crisis in the life of Siddharth.
• This is the origin of the tragedy.
• Bordering on the State of the Sakyas was the State of the Koliyas. The two kingdoms were divided by the river Rohini.
• The waters of the Rohini were used by both the Sakyas and the Koliyas for irrigating their fields. Every season there used to be disputes between them as to who should take the water of the Rohini first and how much. These disputes resulted in quarrels and sometimes in affrays.
• In the year when Siddharth was twenty-eight, there was a major clash over the waters between the servants of the Sakyas and the servants of the Koliyas, Both sidessuffered injuries.
• Coming to know of this, the Sakyas and the Koliyas felt that the issue must be settled once for all by war.
• The Senapati of the Sakyas, therefore, called a session of the Sakya Sangh to consider the question of declaring war on the Koliyas.
• Addressing the members of the Sangh, the Senapati said : " Our people have been attacked by the Koliyas and they had to retreat. Such acts of aggression by the Koliyas have taken place more than once. We have tolerated them so far. But this cannot go on. It must be stopped and the only way to stop it is to declare war against the Koliyas. I propose that the Sangh do declare war on the Koliyas. Those who wish to oppose may speak."
• Siddharth Gautama rose in his seat and said : " I oppose this resolution. War does not solve any question. Waging war will not serve our purpose. It will sow the seeds of another war. The slayer gets a slayer in his turn ; the conqueror gets one who conquers him ; a man who despoils is despoiled in his turn."
• Siddharth Gautama continued: " I feel that the Sangh should not be in hase to declare war on the Koliyas: Careful investigation should be made to ascertain who is the guilty party. I hear that our men have also been aggressors. If this be true, then it is obvious that we too are not free from blame."
• The Senapati replied : " Yes, our men were the aggressors. But it must not be forgotten that it was our turn to take the water first."
• Siddharth Gautama said: " This shows that we are not completely free from blame. I therefore propose that we elect two men from us and the Koliyas should be asked to elect two from them and the four should elect a fifth person and these should settle the dispute."
• The amendment moved by Siddharth Gautama was duly seconded. But the Senapati opposed the amendment, saying : " I am sure that this menace of the Koliyas will not end unless they are severely punished."
• The resolution and the amendment had therefore to be put to vote. The amendment moved by Siddharth Gautama was put first. It was declared lost by an overwhelming majority.
• The Senapati next put his own resolution to vote. Siddharth Gautama again stood up to oppose it. " I beg the Sangh," he said, " not to accept the resolution. The Sakyas and the Koliyas are close relations. It is unwise that they should destroy each other."
• The Senapati encountered the plea urged by Siddharth Gautama. He stressed that in war the Kshatriyas cannot make a distinction between relations and strangers. They must fight even against brothers for the sake of their kingdom.
• Performing sacrifices is the duty of the Brahmins, fighting is the duty of the Kshatriyas, trading is the duty of the Vaishas and service is the duty of the Shudras. There is merit in each class forming its duty. Such is the injunction of our Shasras.
• Siddharth replied : " Dharma, as I understand it, consists in recognising that enmity does not disappear by enmity. It can be conquered by love only."
• The Senapati, getting impatient, said : "It is unnecessary to enter upon this philosophical disquisition. The point is that Siddharth is opposed to my resolution. Let us ascertain what the Sangh has to say about it by putting it to vote.
• Accordingly the Senapati put his resolution to vote. It was declared carried by an overwhelming majority.

Offer of Deportation

• Next day the Senapati called another meeting of the Sakya Sangh to have his plan of mobilisation considered by the Sangh.
• When the Sangh met, he proposed that he be permitted to proclaim an order calling to arms for the war against the Koliyas every Sakya between the ages of 20 and 50.
• The meeting was attended by both sides— those who at the previous meeting of the Sangh had voted in favour of a declaration of war as well as those who had voted against it.
• For those who had voted in favour there was no difficulty in accepting the proposal of the Senapati. It was a natural consequence of their earlier decision.
• But the minority who had voted against it had a problem to face. Their problem was—to submit or not to submit to the decision of the majority.
• The minority was determined not to submit to the majority. That is the reason why they had decided to be present at the meeting. Unfortunately, none of them had the courage to say so openly. Perhaps they knew the consequences of opposing the majority.
• Seeing that his supporters were silent, Siddharth stood up, and addressing the Sangh, said: " Friends ! You may do what you like. You have a majority on your side, but I am sorry to say I shall oppose your decision in favour of mobilisation. I shall not join your army and I shall not take part in the war."
• The Senapati, replying to Siddharth Gautama, said : " Do remember the vows you had taken when you were admitted to the membership of the Sangh. If you break any of them you will expose yourself to public shame."
• Siddharth replied: " Yes, I have pledged myself to safeguard the best interests of the Sakyas by my body, mind and money. But I do not think that this war is in the best interests of the Sakyas. What is public shame to me before the best interests of the Sakyas ?
• Siddharth proceeded to caution the Sangh by reminding it of how the Sakyas have become the vassals of the King of Kosala by reason of their quarrels with the Koliyas. "It is not difficult to imagine," he said, " that this war will give him a greater handle to further reduce the freedom of the Sakyas."
• The Senapati grew angry and addressing Siddharth, said : " Your eloquence will not help you. You must obey the majority decision of the Sangh. You are perhaps counting upon the fact that the Sangh has no power to order an offender to be hanged or to exile him without the sanction of the king of the Kosalas and that the king of the Kosalas will not give permission if either of the two sentences was passed against you by the Sangh."
• " But remember the Sangh has other ways of punishing you. The Sangh can declare a social boycott against your family and the Sangh can confiscate your family lands. For this the Sangh does not have to obtain the permission of the king of the Kosalas."
• Siddharth realised the consequences that would follow if he continued his opposition to the Sangh in its plan of war against the Koliyas. He had three alternatives to consider—to join the forces and participate in the war ; to consent to being hanged or exiled ; and to allow the members of his family to be condemned to a social boycott and confiscation of property.
• He was firm in not accepting the first. As to the third he felt it was unthinkable. Under the circumstances he felt that the second alternative was the best.
• Accordingly, Siddharth spoke to the Sangh. " Please do not punish my family. Do not put them in distress by subjecting them to a social boycott. Do not make them destitute by confiscating their land which is their only means of livelihood. They are innocent. I am the guilty person. Let me alone suffer for my wrong. Sentence me to death or exile, whichever you like. I will willingly accept it and I promise I shall not appeal to the king of the Kosalas.'"

Parivraja—the Way Out By Siddharta Gautama

• The Senapati said : " It is difficult to accept your suggestion. For even if you voluntarily agreed to undergo the sentence of death or exile, the matter is sure to become known to the king of the Kosalas and he is sure to conclude that it is the Sangh which has inflicted this punishment and take action against the Sangh."
• If this is the difficulty I can easily suggest a way out," said Siddharth Gautama. " I can become a Parivrajaka and leave this country. It is a kind of an exile.
• "The Senapati thought this was a good solution. But he had still some doubt about Siddharth being able to give effect to it.
• So the Senapati asked Siddharth : " How can you become a Parivrajaka unless you obtain the consent of your parents and your wife ? "
• Siddharth assured him that he would do his best to obtain their permission. " I promise," he said, " to leave this country immediately whether I obtain their consent or not."
• The Sangh felt that the proposal made by Siddharth was the best way out and they agreed to it.
• After finishing the business before the meeting, the Sangh was about to rise when a young Sakya got up in his place and said : " Give me a hearing, I have something important to say."
• Being granted permission to speak, he said : " I have no doubt that Siddharth Gautama will keep his promise and leave the country immediately. There is, however, one question over which I do not feel very happy.
• "Now that Siddharth will soon be out of sight, does the Sangh propose to give immediate effect to its declaration of war against the Koliyas ?
• " I want the Sangh to give further consideration to this question. In any event, the king of the Kosalas is bound to come to know of the exile of Siddharth Gautama. If the Sakyas declare a war against the Koliyas immediately, the king of Kosalas will understand that Siddharth left only because he was opposed to war against the Koliyas. This will not go well with us.
• "I, therefore, propose that we should also allow an interval to pass between the exile of Siddharth Gautama and the actual commencement of hostilities so as not to allow the King of Kosala to establish any connection between the two."
• The Sangh realised that this was a very important proposal. And as a matter of expediency, the Sangh agreed to accept it.
• Thus ended the tragic session of the Sakya Sangh and the minority which was opposed to the war but who had not the courage to say so, heaved a sigh of relief that it was able to overcome a situation full of calamitous consequences. 

Leave-taking words by Siddhartha Gautama

• The news of what happened at the meeting of the Sakya Sangh had travelled to the Raja's palace long before the return of Siddharth Gautama.
• For on reaching home he found his parents weeping and plunged in great grief.
• Suddhodana said : " We were talking about the evils of war. But I never thought that you would go to such lengths."
• Siddharth replied, " I too did not think things would take such a turn. I was hoping that I would be able to win over the Sakyas to the cause of peace by my argument.
• " Unfortunately, our military officers had so worked up the feelings of the men that my argument failed to have any effect on them.
• " But I hope you realise how I have saved the situation from becoming worse. I have not given up the cause of truth and justice and whatever the punishment for my standing for truth and justice, I have succeeded in making its infliction personal to me."
• Suddhodana was not satisfied with this. "You have not considered what is to happen to us." " But that is the reason why I undertook to become a Pariv-rajaka," replied Siddharth. " Consider the consequences if the Sakyas had ordered the confiscation of your lands."
• " But without you what is the use of these lands to us ? " cried Suddhodana. Why should not the whole family leave the country of the Sakyas and go into exile along with you ? "
• Prajapati Gautami, who was weeping, joined Suddhodana in argument, saying ; " I agree. How can you go alone leaving us here like this ? "
• Siddharth said : " Mother, have you not always claimed to be the mother of a Kshatriya ? Is that not so ? You must then be brave. This grief is unbecoming of you. What would you have done if I had gone to the battlefield and died? Would you have grieved like this ? "
• "No," replied Gautami. "That would have been befitting a Kshatriya. But you are now going into the jungle far away from people, living in the company of wild beasts. How can we stay here in peace ? I say you should take us along with you."
• " How can I take you all with me ? Nanda is only a child. Rahul my son is just born. Can you come leaving them here ? " He asked Gautami.
• Gautami was not satisfied. She urged : " It is possible for us all to leave the country of the Sakyas and go to the country of the Kosalas under the protection of their king."
• " But mother! What would the Sakyas say ? " asked Siddharth. " Would they not regard it as treason ? Besides, I pledged that I will do nothing either by word or by deed to let the king of the Kosalas know the true cause of my Parivraja.
• "It is true that I may have to live alone in the jungle. But which is better? To live in the jungle or to be a party to the killing of the Koliyas !"
• "But why this impatience?" asked Sud-dhodana. " The Sakyas Sangh has decided to postpone the date of the hostilities for some time.
• " Perhaps the hostilities may not be started at all. Why not postpone your Parivraja ? May be, it would be possible to obtain the permission of the Sangh for you to stay among the Sakyas."
• This idea was repellent to Siddharth. "It is because I promised to take Parivraja that the Sangh decided to postpone the commencement of hostilities against the Koliyas.
• "It is possible that after I take Parivraja the Sangh may be persuaded to withdraw their declaration of war. All this depends upon my first taking Parivraja.
• " I have made a promise and I must carry it out. The consequences of any breach of promise may be very grave both to us and to the cause of peace.
• "Mother, do not now stand in my way. Give me your permission and your blessings. What is happening is for the best."
• Gautami and Suddhodana kept silent.
• Then Siddharth went to the apartment of Yeshodhara. Seeing her, he stood silent, not knowing what to say and how to say it. She broke the silence by saying : " I have heard all that has happened at the meeting of the Sangh at Kapilavatsu."
• He asked her:—" Yeshodhara, tell me what you think of my decision to take Parivraja ? "
• He expected she would collapse. Nothing of the kind happened.
• With full control over her emotions, she replied : " What else could I have done if I were in your position? I certainly would not have been a party to a war on the Koliyas.
• "Your decision is the right decision. You have my consent and my support. I too would have taken Parivraja with you. If I do not, it is only because I have Rahula to look after.
• " I wish it had not come to this. But we must be bold and brave and face the situation. Do not be anxious about your parents and your son. I will look after them till there is life in me.
• " All I wish is that now that you are becoming a Parivrajaka leaving behind all who are near and dear to you, you will find a new way of life which would result in the happiness of mankind."
• Siddharth Gautama was greatly impressed. He realised as never before what a brave, courageous and noble-minded woman Yeshodhara was, and how fortunate he was in having her as his wife and how fate had put them asunder. He asked her to bring Rahula. He cast his fatherly look on him and left.

Image showing Siddhartha Gautama taking last look before leaving home