Chapter 05 - Escape Plan

Sunlight was illuminating the eastern sky. The sound of a bell rang through the area. The sound of monks were telling sutras heard from different places. An elderly monk was sitting on a chair in a building made of lime mortar and wood. This building was a somewhat large building that could reside 10 or 20 people once and was decorated with different wood carvings. While sitting that elder monk looked in the direction of the east. There was a Bo tree, leaves were floating vigorously due to the wind. Under the tree, there could see monks and people who wearied white clothes worshipping that tree. Some were sitting under the tree and murmuring some stanzas. It was the most sacred tree in the country. Which was the right branch of the Bo tree which Lord Buddha enlightened.

At that time one of man ran in the direction of this elder monk and told "Great thero…this is injustice… this is injustice… an unpardonable crime" "Hey, what are you talking about man? What injustice…what crime … tell me clearly " this elder monk was asked from that man. "Great thero, didn't you hear? Yesterday evening whole village of Wasdhadurawa was killed and burned down by King's men" the man explained.

 "What did you say? The whole village was slaughtered. What crime did that village had done to face that kind of result" the Elder monk asked.

"Venerable thero, it is not a crime. Two months ago village couple had a son named Vasambha. After getting news of the king's order to kill Vasambha's namesake, they changed the name. After getting that news king ordered to kill that child and all villagers and burn the village" the man told to the elder monk.

"What having name Vasambha, killing off two months child and the whole village. That villagers are innocent people who had no ability to fight against one soldier . How could two months kid in that village go against King? This is unpardonable crime… can't be forgive as monks who follows way of Lord Buddha…We have to show our displeasure to king. "The elder monk exclaimed.

In the meantime, one of the young monk came outside of the building and heard this conversation and told "Great thero, how king become so heartless? He was ruled orderly and in justice. Also, he made several temples like Valli-Vihara at Uruvela, Ekadvara in the east of the city and Nangidamaka temple. Not only that he made a tank for people called 'Utpala-droni'.As well as he made two  Piriven* called 'Satha-raja' to the world too."

"You are right young thero. He ruled the country as a good ruler. That was why we never talk about his authority to rule over the country. But it all started with that soothsayer's prophecy. He told that one named Vasambha will kill him and become king. After that incident king changed. He asked to kill all Vasambha's namesake. What an unfortunate befall to this country! " Elder monk told to the young monk.

"Great thero, I am Nagadharama. Greetings to your eminence" Nagaradharma thero who came to the capital greeted the elder monk." Oh! Nagadharma, long time no see. Is there no problem with living at Nagadipa? I thought you meet me sometime after, not this early "The elder monk told Nagadharma monk. "Great thero, living in Nagadipa is good. There is not much problem there. I also thought to meet venerable thero sometime after today. But yesterday I met benefactors who face some trouble. So I decided to meet you venerable this morning" while telling this Nagadharma monk signed to Great thero to they wanted to talk in secret. After getting that signal man said "Great thero, we can talk about that topic at another time " and went in the direction of the Sacred tree of Lord Buddha and the young monk went inside of building while greeting both theroes. After that, both theroes entered a room in the building.

"Nagadharama, who are you going to introduce to me?" Great thero asked. " Young benefactor, come and greet Great Thero" Nagadharama told by looking in some direction of the outside of the building. A young man came into the room and said" Great thero, My name is Vasambha." and worshipped great thero.  "Oh! Young boy, what an unfortunate name have you in? But you dare to directly enter the tiger den without hesitation. You boy have a great future" Grand thero told to Vasambha."Great thero this young man is coming from Lambhakanna noble family. He worked under his uncle who was a general in that area. What is unfortunate is his uncle tried to catch this boy and give him to the king. Fortunately, with some good deeds in his previous life and the help of the general's wife, this boy escaped from his uncle's trap and came to hide in here with that lady " Nagadharama explained the situation to Great Thero. " In this troubled time, you can not trust your own relatives. So we have to work safety. But young man you have to remember you can not hide here a long time " Great thero told Vasambha.

" Why is it that?"  Nagadharma asked.

"Do you think people around king will not suspect this young man's possibility of coming and hiding in the capital after receiving the report of escape? So we have to find a way to send this young man out of the city. "

"Great thero, where should I go?" Vasambha asked.

"Go to Ruhuna. There are fewer effects of kings' rule there. So you can live in there safety. " Grand thero told.

" How could we send these benefactors without much trouble? News of their escape now should be received now. " Nagadharma said.

"We can send them as team members of pilgrimage group who going to worship Sithulpawwa Stupa. Fortunately, the next pilgrimage group will set off tomorrow morning. But as I heard two members got sick. So we can send these with them " Great Thero suggested and Nagadharma thero agreed.

"Theroes, you have done a great help to me. I, Vasambha never forget the help done by theroes. " Vasambha said and worshipped both monks.

"Live long…live long life…we can talk about the journey tomorrow. Till you both can live safely in rest hall. I will make arrangements about this. You can go now." Great thero told to Vasambha. After hearing this Vasambha went outside of the room and Great thero watched the direction he left with great concern.

In this place they talked happily, in the same day a certain place had become playground of devils .

Piriven – Places where especially Buddhist monks and Buddhist Scholars getting study