Caring for Young People

Katyayana was one of the Buddha's ten principal disciples and was foremost in debating. He traveled south to Rajagrha to propagate the Dharma. One day, he sent a very young disciple back to Jetavana Monastery to visit the Buddha. Seeing that Katyayana's disciple had traveled a long way, the Buddha immediately ordered Ananda to prepare an extra bed in the Buddha's room for the young disciple to rest. This kind gesture of the Buddha deeply touched Katyayana from afar, and he exerted greater effort in propagating the Dharma. When the other disciples learned of this, they showed more concern for novice monks such as Kunti and Rahula, and dared not neglect them.