[III. The Miracles at Uruvelā]
26: The Fifth Miracle
(Mind-Reading)
Then at that time the yogi Uruvelakassapa had arranged for a great sacrifice, and almost the whole (population) of Aṅga and Magadha, having gathered abundant food and drinks, had a desire to attend. Then this occurred to the yogi Uruvelakassapa: “Now I have arranged for a great sacrifice, and almost the whole (population) of Aṅga and Magadha, having gathered abundant food and drinks, will attend. If the Great Ascetic performs a powerful miracle in the midst of the people his gain and honour will increase, and my gain and honour will decrease. Surely the Great Ascetic should not come on the morrow.”
Then the Fortunate One, knowing with his mind the reflection that had arisen in the yogi Uruvelakassapa’s mind, after approaching Northern Kuru, gathering alms from there, and eating them at lake Anotatta, made his dwelling right there for the day. Then the yogi Uruvelakassapa, with the passing of that night, approached the Fortunate One, and after approaching, he said this to the Fortunate One: “It is time, Great Ascetic, the meal is ready. Why did you not come yesterday, Great Ascetic, we remembered you, (thinking): ‘Why does the Great Ascetic not come? A portion of the food and drinks was set aside for you.”
“Didn't this occur to you, Kassapa: ‘Now I have arranged for a great sacrifice, and almost the whole (population) of Aṅga and Magadha, having gathered abundant food and drinks, will attend. If the Great Ascetic performs a powerful miracle in the midst of the people his gain and honour will increase, and my gain and honour will decrease. Surely the Great Ascetic should not come on the morrow’? Then I, Kassapa, knowing with my mind the reflection that had arisen in your mind, after approaching Northern Kuru, gathering alms from there, and eating them at lake Anotatta, made my dwelling right there for the day.”
Then this occurred to the yogi Uruvelakassapa: “Powerful and majestic is this Great Ascetic, since he can even know (my) mind with (his) mind, but he is surely not a Worthy One like I am.” Then the Fortunate One, having eaten the yogi Uruvelakassapa’s food, dwelt on in that very jungle thicket.
The Fifth Miracle (is Finished)