Ambapali, famous courtesan of Vaisali is celebrating Spring festival and a large number of young men are gathered to see her dance in praise of Manmatha. While dancing her eyes are wandering looking for her favourite young man DevaSena and is told that he gone to listen to Buddha's sermon in the outskirts of the city. She ridicules the Buddha and the Buddhist Bhikkus as shaven headed old men begging for food. One young man asks her to stop the ridicule saying that when she meets the great Buddha and listens to his teachings, she will understand why many young men adopt his way of life. She takes this up as a challenge and goes out to meet the Buddha, to storm him with questions.
She returns triumphantly, apparently having conquered the Buddha and her friend sings in praise of her and describes her beauty. That night she is unable to sleep and is tortured by doubts about which is a better life - one filled with joys and pleasure or one filled with austerity.
She visits the Buddha once again, much to the annoyance of the city elders. She then gives up her life of pleasure and joins the Sangha to sing his praise and spread the message of Dhamma.
She returns triumphantly, apparently having conquered the Buddha and her friend sings in praise of her and describes her beauty. That night she is unable to sleep and is tortured by doubts about which is a better life - one filled with joys and pleasure or one filled with austerity.
She visits the Buddha once again, much to the annoyance of the city elders. She then gives up her life of pleasure and joins the Sangha to sing his praise and spread the message of Dhamma.
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