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Rāhula

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | | Copyright

Rāhula. The only child of the Buddha, born shortly before the Buddha took his decision to renounce the world. The boy was named Rāhula, which means ‘fetter’, because the Buddha perceived his son's birth as a tie that could bind him to family life and, according to some sources, therefore left home on the very same day. After his enlightenment (bodhi), the Buddha returned to his home town of Kapilavastu and on departing was followed by Rāhula, who had been sent by his mother to ‘ask for his inheritance’. At the request of the Buddha, Rāhula was then admitted to the Saṃgha by Śāriputra. Following a protest by the boy's grandfather Śuddhodana, the Buddha agreed to the introduction of a rule thereafter requiring parental consent to the ordination of novices (śrāmaṇera). The Buddha preached several sermons to his son, and after hearing one of these, the Cūla-Rāhulovāda Sutta, he became an Arhat.

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DAMIEN KEOWN. "Rāhula." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Rāhula." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-Rhula.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Rāhula." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-Rhula.html

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Rāhula

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Rāhula. The son of Gautama, the Buddha. He was born at about the time that Gautama decided to leave his home in search of enlightenment. The Buddha later visited his son who was ordained as a novice (sāmaṇera), and who received teaching from the Buddha.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Rāhula." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Rāhula." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Rhula.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Rāhula." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Rhula.html

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