20-21. Ven. Rāhula and Ven. Raṭṭhapāla

100,000 aeons ago under Buddha Padumuttara, two wealthy friends practiced immense generosity. One was reborn as the Nāga King Pathavindhara. Seeing Buddha Padumuttara’s novice son Uparevata, he aspired to become the son of a future Buddha. His friend, aspiring to join the Saṅgha after a seven-day hunger strike, received a prophecy to be foremost amongst those with faith. In their final existence, Pathavindhara became Rāhula, Prince Siddhattha’s son, who was ordained as a novice, attained Arahatship, and was declared foremost in training (sikkhākāma). His friend became Raṭṭhapāla, who starved himself for seven days to gain parental consent to ordain, attained Arahatship, and was declared foremost among those who went forth through faith (saddhā-pabbajita).