Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was reborn in the family of a rich merchant, worth eighty crores. When he was come of age, his parents died. And on their death a brother of the Bodhisatta managed the family estate. And the Bodhisatta lived in dependence on him. By and bye the brother also died of a fatal disease. His relations, friends and companions came together, and throwing up their arms wept and lamented, and no one was able to control his feelings. But the Bodhisatta neither lamented nor wept. Men said, “See now, though his brother is dead, he is not weeping; he is a very hard-hearted fellow. He desired his brother’s death, hoping to enjoy a double portion.” Thus did they blame the Bodhisatta. His kinsfolk too reproved him, saying “Though your brother is dead, you do not shed a tear.”

On hearing their words he said: “In your blind folly, not knowing the Eight Worldly Conditions, you weep and cry, ‘Alas! My brother is dead,’ but I too, and you also, will have to die. Why then do you not weep at the thought of your own death? All existing things are transient, and consequently no single compound is able to remain in its natural condition. Though you, blind fools, in your state of ignorance, from not knowing the Eight Worldly Conditions, weep and lament, why should I weep?”

Thus, the Bodhisatta taught these men the Truth, and delivered them all from their sorrow.

The Master, when he had ended his religious exposition, revealed the Truths and identified Birth:– At the conclusion of the Truths the landowner attained to fruition of the First Path:– “At that time the wise man who by his religious exposition delivered people from their sorrow was I myself.”