21-35 The Miracles at Gayā

To convert Uruvelā Kassapa, a proud matted-hair ascetic, and his massive following, the Buddha performs a remarkable series of fifteen distinct categories of miracles. He tames a fierce, venomous dragon-king in a fire-room, reads minds, commands cosmic entities like Sakka and Brahmā, splits wood supernaturally, and controls the elements by walking on dry ground amid a raging flood. These displays systematically dismantle Kassapa’s spiritual pride and stubbornness.