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Secondary sourceBook1922

The Buddha Pacifies the Malcontents of Rajagriha

1922

A chapter from a 1922 narrative life of the Buddha describing how he calmed opposition to his growing number of followers in Rajagriha.

A 1922 narrative account describing the Buddha's teaching activity and the opposition he faced in Rajagriha.

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Source: Wikisource

About this source

What it is

This chapter comes from The Life of Buddha, a 1922 retelling of the Buddha's story translated by Paul C. Blum. It narrates an episode in the city of Rajagriha, where King Vimbasara supported the Buddha but some residents resented his growing number of followers.

Why it matters

The passage shows how stories about the Buddha's teaching career were retold for readers long after his lifetime, blending historical memory with storytelling. It illustrates both the support he received from rulers and the resistance he faced from people worried about losing young men to his teachings.

Look closer

  • Why might some people in Rajagriha have been upset about the Buddha's popularity?
  • How does the king's reaction differ from that of the malcontents?
  • What does this story suggest about the social impact of new religious movements?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Buddha on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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