Discourse on the Pitāputrasamāgama Sūtra (Part 4)

King Śuddhodana Prostrates to the World-Honored One

All people in the world, including all beings of the three realms (the Realm of Desire, the Realm of Form, and the Formless Realm), rejoiced with great joy upon hearing the Buddha's Dharma voice. King Śuddhodana had just seen the Buddha—it was his first encounter with the World-Honored One since the latter left home to cultivate the Way in the Snow Mountains. Still harboring paternal affection, the king regarded the Buddha as his son. At the very moment he saw the Buddha, his mind still held the thought that he was the father and the Buddha was his son, so the Buddha should pay respects to him. King Śuddhodana stood there waiting for the World-Honored One to bow to him, while the World-Honored One stood opposite him, waiting for the king to bow, for the World-Honored One knew that He was the Sovereign of the Three Realms. Although King Śuddhodana was His father, he remained an ordinary mortal. At that moment, a disciple of the World-Honored One said to King Śuddhodana, "The World-Honored One is now the Supreme Lord of the Three Realms; you should prostrate to Him." Upon hearing this, King Śuddhodana suddenly realized his error and immediately prostrated to the World-Honored One.