When the Buddha returned to his hometown of Kapilavastu for the first time, six years after leaving to search for the Truth of the universe, it was a celebration for all the citizens there. They came out of their houses and lined up along the street where the Buddha was going to pass, so that they could have a chance to see and to pay respects to this well-known sage and savior, who was once their beloved prince.

During the Buddha's stay, he preached to his father, members of the royal family, and the general public. He noticed that his own brother, Nanda, was infatuated with his concubine. When the Buddha had left the palace six years before, Nanda had been chosen to be the heir to the throne. The Buddha felt that if Nanda took the throne, the nation would go downhill. His own son, Rahula, was only a child and could not shoulder the heavy load of governing the nation. Therefore, the Buddha wanted to have both of them join the assembly of monks. The right to the throne could then be shifted to someone more capable and his hometown would have a bright future.

The Buddha accepted Rahula, Nanda and Ananda as his disciples. When these three young people shaved their heads and became monks, their families were shocked. In addition, young men from all the other royal households also left to join the congregation because they were attracted to the Buddha's teachings.

The departure of these young princes inspired one of the Buddha's cousions, Aniruddha, to think of leaving home too. One day he went to visit his older brother, Mahananma."Every Sakya family has had one of their sons join the sangha," Mahanama said to him."No one from our family has done so. Therefore, it should be that either I stay home and look after the family and you become a monk, or that you look after the family and I join the sangha."

"You are stronger and wiser than me," Aniruddha replied."Since you are older, you have the responsibility to both our parents and this household. Therefore, you must stay home and I will join the Buddha."