The Palace in the Deep Forest of Novice Revata

**Summary:** The Venerable Revata (Libada), the youngest brother of Shariputra, ordained early and used his supernatural power to transform the forest into a palace to receive the Buddha and five hundred monks.

The wind rustled through the ancient trees of the serene forest, carrying the scent of wildflowers and the melody of birdsong. There, a young novice, perhaps in his teens, sat in meditative concentration beneath a bodhi tree. This was Revata (or Libada), the youngest brother of the Venerable Shariputra. Though very young, Revata had already attained early enlightenment and realized the state of an Arhat, having awakened to impermanence during the wedding ceremony of his own marriage.

On this day, the Buddha and his entourage of five hundred monks were preparing to pass through this very forest to visit Revata. The path grew increasingly sparse, with villages along the way reduced to only a few scattered houses. The monks began to feel anxious.

"Venerable Sir," they said, "this area is too desolate, with very few inhabitants. How can we possibly find enough food to make offerings for such a large assembly? Could anyone bear this burden?"

The Buddha smiled gently and turned to ask another monk:

"Is Sivali traveling with us?"

"Yes, he is," the monk replied.

"If Sivali is present," the Buddha said, "there will never be any scene of hunger or thirst. The blessings from his merit are sufficient to sustain the entire Sangha."

Indeed, thanks to the blessings from the Venerable Sivali's merit, along the journey, food naturally appeared, abundant and delicious. However, when they reached the edge of the forest where Revata was waiting, an even more wondrous miracle occurred. The very moment the Buddha set foot in the forest, the space transformed instantly. The rough, barren tree trunks and dense undergrowth vanished, giving way to a magnificent, splendid palace with hundreds of clean, airy rooms.

Though merely a young novice, Revata, with the supernatural power of an Arhat, had manifested this place to receive the Buddha and the five hundred monks. Celestial beings also descended from their heavens to make offerings and serve diligently. Throughout the week of their stay, all needs for sustenance and rest were perfectly fulfilled, without any lack whatsoever. When the Buddha departed, the palace disappeared, restoring the forest to its pristine, original state.

The monks exclaimed in awe:

"How rare and wonderful! Such a young novice has attained great supernatural power, capable of transforming a forest into a palace to honor the Buddha and the Sangha."

Hearing this, the Buddha explained that Revata harbored no attachment to the concepts of having merit or lacking merit, for he had transcended the cycle of birth and death, remaining unstained by both good and evil. This story illustrates a state of absolute mental purity: even while possessing extraordinary abilities, his mind remained tranquil, free from arrogance and without clinging to his own achievements.

**The Meaning of the Story**

The story of Novice Revata teaches us that blessings from merit and supernatural powers are the fruits of diligent practice and a pure mind. However, the most important thing is not the miraculous abilities, but the attitude of being "unstained by both good and evil." A true practitioner does not cling to meritorious rewards, does not pride themselves on their powers, but always maintains a humble and equanimous heart. The presence of a saintly being can sometimes be difficult for ordinary people to understand, but if we use wisdom to contemplate, we will see that all adversities and favorable conditions are means to forge our character and elevate our spiritual strength. Let us not hastily judge what we do not understand; let us learn to look deeply into the essence of things to avoid errors in our thinking.

*Compiled from a Dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang.*