Foremost in Preaching: The Dharma Propagation Path of Venerable Pūrṇa – From a Merchant to an Eloquent Preacher

Among the Buddha's ten great disciples, there was a venerable one known as "Foremost in Preaching," named Pūrṇa. He was not from a distinguished noble or Brahmin family but was a successful merchant. However, the trajectory of his life was completely changed by his encounter with the Buddha, becoming a pioneer of Dharma propagation who traveled throughout India, fearless of life and death, and skilled in preaching.

A Merchant's Career: Shrewd, Capable, and Charitable

Venerable Pūrṇa, whose full name was Pūrṇa Maitrāyanīputra, was born into a wealthy merchant family in the ancient Indian country of Śruṇa. From a young age, he learned various business skills by observing his father. He was shrewd and capable, good at seizing business opportunities, and soon became a successful merchant, accumulating a large amount of wealth.

Pūrṇa was not only a successful merchant but also a charitable philanthropist. He often used his wealth to relieve the poor and help the weak. He was well aware of the impermanence of wealth, so he was never stingy and always gave generously.

Taking Refuge in the Buddha: The Liberation that Wealth Cannot Bring

Despite his great success in business, Venerable Pūrṇa always felt a void deep inside. He had endless wealth but could not find true happiness and peace. He began to ponder the meaning of life and seek the path to liberation.

One day, Venerable Pūrṇa heard of the holy name of the Buddha. The Buddha was an enlightened one, and the Dharma he taught could guide beings to liberation. Venerable Pūrṇa became very interested in the Buddha's teachings and decided to visit him in person to seek his guidance.

Venerable Pūrṇa came to the monastery where the Buddha was teaching. He was deeply attracted by the Buddha's dignified presence and compassionate aura. He respectfully bowed to the Buddha and asked for the path to liberation.

The Buddha taught Venerable Pūrṇa the core teachings of the Dharma, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. The Buddha's teachings were like a rain of sweet nectar, nourishing Venerable Pūrṇa's parched heart. He felt that the wealth and fame he had pursued in the past were illusory, and only the Dharma was the true path to liberation.

Venerable Pūrṇa was completely won over by the Buddha's wisdom. He immediately decided to renounce all worldly things, take refuge in the Buddha, and become a monk.

Foremost in Preaching: Eloquent and Skillful in Means

After becoming a monk, Venerable Pūrṇa practiced diligently and quickly attained Arhatship. He applied his past business experience and eloquence to propagating the Dharma, becoming famous in the Sangha as "Foremost in Preaching."

Venerable Pūrṇa was not only well-versed in the Dharma but also skilled at observing the capacities of his audience and using various skillful means to preach the Dharma. He could adopt different teaching methods according to the cultural background, knowledge level, and understanding ability of different audiences.

To those of sharp faculties, he directly explained the profound principles of the Dharma; to those of duller faculties, he used parables, stories, and other methods to make the Dharma easy to understand. He could express complex doctrines in a simple and clear way, allowing the audience to understand and accept them.

Venerable Pūrṇa's preaching was not only well-reasoned but also full of wisdom and humor. He could often use vivid and interesting stories to illustrate the principles of the Dharma, allowing the audience to grasp the true meaning of the Dharma in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

Propagating the Dharma in Remote Areas: Fearless of Life and Death, Forging Ahead

Venerable Pūrṇa not only preached within the Sangha but also often traveled to various places to propagate the Dharma. He especially liked to go to remote areas to spread the Buddha's teachings to those who had never heard of the Dharma.

Once, Venerable Pūrṇa requested the Buddha's permission to go to the country of Śruṇa to propagate the Dharma. Śruṇa was Venerable Pūrṇa's hometown, where the people were rough and ignorant, and few had heard of the Dharma.

The Buddha asked Venerable Pūrṇa, "The people of Śruṇa are rough and like to curse and beat others. Aren't you afraid of danger if you go there to propagate the Dharma?"

Venerable Pūrṇa replied, "World-Honored One, I am not afraid. If they curse me, I will think that they have not yet hit me, which is already very good. If they hit me, I will think that they have not yet hit me with stones or sticks, which is already very good. If they hit me with stones or sticks, I will think that they have not yet injured me with a sword, which is already very good. If they injure me with a sword, I will think that they have not yet taken my life, which is already very good. If they take my life, it will be just right for me to abandon this impermanent physical body and enter nirvāṇa."

The Buddha was very impressed by Venerable Pūrṇa's courage and wisdom. The Buddha said, "Excellent! Excellent! Pūrṇa, you are now qualified to propagate the Dharma. You may go to the country of Śruṇa."

After receiving the Buddha's permission, Venerable Pūrṇa resolutely went to the country of Śruṇa. There, he overcame many difficulties and, with immense patience and compassion, preached the Dharma to the local people.

He used simple and easy-to-understand language to explain the principles of cause and effect and the six realms of rebirth, teaching them how to abandon evil and cultivate good, and accumulate merit. He also used his psychic powers and wisdom to convert many who originally did not believe in the Dharma, causing them to take refuge in Buddhism.

Venerable Pūrṇa propagated the Dharma in the country of Śruṇa for many years, converting countless beings and laying a solid foundation for the spread of Buddhism in the local area.

Conclusion: Foremost in Preaching, Boundless in Compassion

The life of Venerable Pūrṇa was a transformation from a merchant to a propagator of the Dharma, a process from pursuing worldly wealth to pursuing spiritual liberation. With his outstanding eloquence, skillful means in teaching, and fearless spirit of devotion, he became one of the greatest propagators of the Dharma in Buddhist history.

His story gives us profound inspiration: true wealth is not in material possessions but in spiritual abundance; true happiness is not in sensual pleasures but in inner peace; true success is not in worldly achievements but in the pursuit of truth and dedication to all beings.

Venerable Pūrṇa's title of "Foremost in Preaching" is not only reflected in his eloquence but also in his compassionate heart and wisdom. He used the Dharma as a raft to guide countless beings across the sea of suffering to the shore of liberation. His spirit will forever inspire us to forge ahead on the path of propagating the Dharma and benefiting all beings. His endlessly flowing Dharma voice is the most precious gift left to future students of Buddhism.