The Refusal of the Ascetic

King Bimbisara wished to offer half his kingdom to the ascetic Gotama, but the sage sought only the sublime path to save all sentient beings. The capital city of Rajagriha shone brilliantly under the sun, its red-tiled roofs stretching endlessly into the distance. The market bustled with the sounds of buying and selling. Amidst this splendor, a barefoot ascetic with an unshaven head walked through the streets carrying his alms bowl. A gentle light emanated from his body, causing the crowd to whisper and point in awe. King Bimbisara, watching from a high tower, heard reports from his attendants. He immediately adjusted his royal robes and set out personally to find the stranger.

At that time, the ascetic Gotama had already left the Kapilavastu palace. He had crossed forests to reach the land of Magadha to study the path. Although he had not yet attained enlightenment, every word he spoke was so profound that listeners could not help but feel deep respect. King Bimbisara ruled over a vast territory, yet he had never encountered a monk of such majestic dignity.

On a hillside covered in wild berries outside the city, the king found the ascetic sitting cross-legged beneath a tree. As the king approached, his brow furrowed slightly; the moral beauty of the ascetic stirred his heart deeply. The sage opened his eyes, which were as calm and clear as an autumn lake. The king spoke, his voice a mixture of reverence and pleading.

"Please do not continue your ascetic life," the king urged. "Join me in ruling this kingdom of Magadha. I will give you half of my realm."

The ascetic Gotama shook his head. His hand rested gently on his knee, and his voice remained low and steady.

"Great King, I seek something far higher than royal power," he replied. "Even if a king is wise and virtuous, he cannot grant sentient beings liberation from suffering and the endless cycle of rebirth."

King Bimbisara was stunned. He took another step forward, reaching out as if to grasp the sage’s shoulder.

"You possess virtue and wisdom," the king argued. "If you became ruler, the people would benefit greatly. Why do you refuse such wealth and status?"

The sage smiled, a smile free from any trace of desire.

"I am willing to relinquish even this kingship to you," he said softly. "Worldly happiness is temporary. No matter how skilled a king may be, he too will die after a hundred years. Those who come after him may act selfishly, leaving the people in misery. Only the sublime Dharma can truly save sentient beings and grant them lasting peace."

This was the turning point. The king fell silent, his chest filled with unnamed emotions. The ascetic then asked permission to continue his journey as a seeker of truth. King Bimbisara bowed his head, tears welling in his eyes, but he did not force the issue.

"Very well, I will not compel you," the king conceded. "But please promise one thing: when you attain enlightenment, return first to teach me."

The ascetic Gotama nodded. He raised his right hand in a gesture of blessing.

"I promise," he said. "When I achieve enlightenment, I will visit you."

The king returned to his palace, while the ascetic continued on his path. Later, after becoming the Buddha, he indeed returned to guide the king. This story illustrates that refusing power is not an act of weakness, but a result of wisdom clearly seeing impermanence (anicca).

The Meaning of the Story

The world views royal power as the ultimate achievement, but those who renounce worldly life see it as merely limited. To save sentient beings from suffering (dukkha), one must transcend all fame and profit to seek the path of liberation.

Compiled from a dharma talk by Venerable Thich Chan Quang