BUDDHA’S FIRST DISCIPLES

In this mural, the Buddha has meditated under various trees and is now meditating under the Rajayatana tree. 

At the end of his seventh week of fasting, two merchants came to him, named Tapussa and Bhallika. They gave him rice cakes and honey. The Buddha ate, breaking his long fast with this first offering of food. 

After eating, he told the two merchants what he had learned during his enlightenment. In this way, they became his first disciples, and were the first to take refuge in his teachings, known as the Dhamma. 

At that time, there was no order of monks for the disciples to join. Instead, they asked the Buddha for something sacred that they could worship. The Buddha stroked his head, and gave them eight strands of his hair. 

These strands of hair became the first relics. When the merchants arrived home, they would enshrine the relics in the first stupa of the Buddha.