Date: 06/21/2025 06/22/2025
Location: Star River Meditation Center
Teacher: Yunquan Huang
Dharma Talk
The Conversion of General Siṃha
Thus have I heard:
At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling near the capital city of Vaiśālī, in the country of Vajji, staying at the Great Forest Monastery.
The arrival of the Blessed One stirred the land, and within the Assembly Hall of the Licchavi nobles, voices continually arose in praise of the Buddha, in praise of the Dharma, and in praise of the Saṅgha.
Now among the nobles was a prominent general named Siṃha, a devoted follower of the Nigaṇṭhas, the ascetic order of naked wanderers. Hearing the ceaseless acclaims of the Blessed One, he thought to himself:
“Surely this recluse Gotama is the most worthy, the most noble being in the world—one truly deserving of offerings. I ought to go and see him.”
Yet, being straightforward and sincere, the general first went to inform his teacher, the Nigaṇṭha. That ascetic, unwilling to lose a disciple, sternly forbade him:
“Siṃha! Do not go to see that recluse Gotama! He teaches a doctrine of inaction, forbidding this and prohibiting that. You are a man of great deeds and vast responsibilities. If you approach him or offer him alms, it will only bring harm upon yourself!”
Thus discouraged, General Siṃha wavered and gave up his intent to visit the Blessed One.
But again and again, in the Assembly Hall, he heard the nobles extolling the Buddha. His wish to visit the Blessed One rekindled. Yet a second time, the Nigaṇṭha restrained him.
On the third occasion, having once more heard praise of the Buddha, General Siṃha resolved:
“This time I shall go. I shall no longer ask leave.”
Then, accompanied by a large retinue, he approached the Blessed One, paid homage, and sat to one side. He said:
“Venerable Sir, I have heard that you are a teacher of inaction, a non-doer who prohibits many things. Is this truly so? Or are such words but slander against the Blessed One? If it is so, is such a doctrine in accordance with truth? Can it stand up to inquiry?”
The Blessed One replied:
“Siṃha, indeed I teach that one should abstain from all evil. From this, some say I am a teacher of inaction.
Yet I also teach that one should cultivate all wholesome deeds—thus, I may also be called a teacher of action.
Moreover, I teach the abandoning of greed, hatred, and delusion; thus, I may be called one who teaches cessation.
I teach revulsion toward unwholesome acts; thus, I may be called one who teaches disenchantment.
I teach the taming of unwholesome tendencies; thus, I may be called one who teaches self-restraint.
I teach austere effort to uproot defilements like a man cutting weeds at the root; thus, I may be called one who teaches ascetic exertion.
I teach the letting go of craving for future becoming; thus, I may be called one who teaches the release from rebirth.
I teach the supreme peace; thus, I may be called one who teaches tranquility.”
Hearing these words, General Siṃha’s mind was opened. At that moment, he took refuge in the Blessed One, requesting to become a lay follower.
However, knowing Siṃha’s high status and his background as a known supporter of the Nigaṇṭhas, the Blessed One advised him:
“Siṃha, a person of your stature should give this matter careful thought.”
Struck by the Buddha’s sincerity and the absence of self-interest in his words, General Siṃha was even more inspired. A second time, he declared his refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha, asking to be a lay follower for life.
The Blessed One then said:
“Siṃha, you have long supported the Nigaṇṭhas and their disciples. In the future, should they come to your home, you ought to continue offering them alms just as before.”
These words dispelled a rumor Siṃha had once heard—that the Buddha forbade offerings to others. Deeply moved by the Buddha’s openness, he made a third declaration of refuge, vowing again to follow the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha for life.
Then, the Blessed One gave him teachings, beginning with ordinary virtues: the merit of giving, the observance of precepts, and the attainment of heavenly rebirth. Then the Blessed One expounded the perils of craving, of false views, and of attachment, followed by the blessings of renunciation and the transcendence of desire.
Having thus prepared Siṃha’s heart with gentle and gradual instruction, the Blessed One introduced the core truths: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path.
As a result of this skillful teaching, General Siṃha saw the truth, understood the Dharma, entered the Dharma, and dispelled all doubts. His heart was free from fear, and he attained the **fruit of stream-entry**.
With a joyful mind, he invited the Blessed One and the Saṅgha to his home the next day for alms.
News of this spread swiftly throughout the city of Vaiśālī. But the disciples of the Nigaṇṭhas, alarmed by this, began to wail and spread false rumors:
“General Siṃha is preparing to slaughter a great bull to feast the recluse Gotama—and the recluse is aware of it!”
When this reached Siṃha, he came forward to clarify:
“I have not killed any creature for this offering. I am using meat already in my stores.”
The following day, the Blessed One and the Saṅgha came as invited and received Siṃha’s offering. After the meal, the Blessed One taught the Dharma to him once more—encouraging, uplifting, and guiding him before taking his leave.
