The Mahakapāṭihāriya Sutta

At one time, many bhikkhus were living in the Ambāṭaka monastery, which was donated by Citta the householder, in Macchikāsaṇḍa. Then Citta went to the monastery and after paying respects to the Sangha, he invited them to his farmyard the next day, where his cows were kept. On the following day, the Sangha went to his farmyard and sat in the seats prepared for them. Then the householder personally offered milk-rice to the Sangha.

He was served the milk-rice in a gold vessel by his servants at the same time the Sangha were being served. As he was accompanying the Sangha, after the meal, to the monastery, he gave orders to his servants to make offerings of remaining milk-rice to suitable offerees. Then he accompanied the Sangha to their monastery.

It was scorching hot when the Sangha left the householder’s farmyard. Walking in the hot sun, a rich meal was a rather inconvenient thing for the Sangha. Then the Venerable Mahāka, the junior-most bhikkhu, said to the Venerable Thera, the senior-most bhikkhu:

“Venerable Thera, would a cool breeze in an overcast-sky with slight rain drops be convenient for everyone?” And the Venerable Thera replied: “Friend Mahāka, a cool breeze in an overcast sky with slight rain drops would be convenient for everyone.” Thereupon, the Venerable Mahāka, by his powers, changed the weather, letting the cool breeze blow in an overcast sky with slight rain drops.

Citta noted this event as a marvellous power possessed by the junior bhikkhu. When they arrived at the monastery, the Venerable Mahāka said to the Venerable Thera: “Venerable Thera, is that enough?” And the Venerable Thera replied: “Friend Mahāka, that is enough. Friend Mahāka, that is something done well that deserves reverence.” After this recognition of the Venerable Mahāka’s powers, all the bhikkhus returned to their respective dwelling places (within the monastery complex).

Then Citta requested the Venerable Mahāka to display his miraculous powers. The Venerable said: “In that case, householder, spread your cloak at the door-step to my monastery. Put a pile of grass from the bundle of grass on the cloak.” Citta did as was instructed by Venerable Mahāka. Then the Venerable entered the monastery, bolted the door from inside and sent out flames through the keyhole and through the edges of the door. The flames burned up the grass but the cloak remained unburnt. Then Citta picked up his cloak and, awestruck and goose-flesh appeared on his skin, he sat in a suitable place.

Thereafter, Venerable Mahāka came out of the monastery and said to Citta, “Householder, is that enough?” Citta replied: “Venerable Mahāka, that is enough. Venerable Mahāka, that is something accomplished. Venerable Mahāka, that deserves reverence. Venerable Mahāka, may the Venerable Mahāka be pleased to stay in Macchikāsaṇḍa. The Ambāṭaka monastery is pleasant to live in. I will see to the four requisites (robes, alms-food, dwelling, medicines).”

The Venerable Mahāka said: “Householder, you say what is good.”

However, Venerable Mahāka considered that it would not be proper for him to stay at the Ambāṭaka monastery. So after tidying up his living quarters and the monastery, he took his alms-bowl and big robe and left the monastery for good.