Whenever Purna went to preach the Buddha's teachings, he would usually go to the toughest places. He was once told that Sanaparantaka was a country filled with brutal, violent people. One day, Purna went to the Buddha and said to him,"Buddha, I plan to go to a land in the west called Sanaparantaka to lecture on your teachings."

"The people there are quite violent, cruel and barbaric," the Buddha observed, "Many people have lost their lives there. Aren't you afraid?"

"No, I'm not," Purna replied."Ever since I became a monk, I've given my life and body to the order. You love us dearly, and that's why I want to go there to promote your teachings to people who have had no chance to hear them. It's a chance for them to be helped by your teachings."

The Buddha was delighted that Purna had this devotion to the propagation of his teachings, but he still asked Purna,"If they insult you and refuse to listen to what you say, what will you do?"

"I will think that they are nice people, because they don't attack me with stones."

"What if they attack you with stones?"

"I will think that they are nice, because they don't use clubs or knives."

"What if they club you?"

"I will think that they are nice, because they don't kill me."

"What if they kill you?"

"I will still thank them for that, because I will then attain nirvana and become spiritually unencumbered."

"You are my good disciple indeed," the Buddha praised him."You are very good at tolerating hardships, doing spiritual cultivation and spreading my teachings, so you are qualified to go to that tough country."

Purna left the following day. When he arrived, he decided not to preach the Buddha's teachings right away. Instead, he first wanted to improve the life of local inhabitants. With his simple medical knowledge, he went to help look after poor patients. Many patients were moved by his good intentions and thoughtful treatment, and they recovered from their diseases.

During the daytime he taught people to read, and in the evenings he introduced the five precepts and the law of cause and effect. Many people asked him to accept them as his disciples. With his resolve, he was able to slowly build up an aseembly of five hundred monks. He spent the rest of his life there.