Are sons and attendants of the Buddhas always destined for arahantship in that life or can they aspire for Buddhahood, Paccekbuddhahood, the state of chief disciple, etc?
Did all Bodhisattas have biological sons before going forth in their final life?
Many events of Gotama’s life are dhammatā (normative) to the last life of the bodhisattas. DN14 details the phenomena related to conception and birth. It seems that marriage and having a son is dhammatā too, but I’m lacking the reference in this moment.
Number six- the Great Renunciation happens as soon as the son of the Bodhisatta is born.
It seems that being the son of a Buddha depends on a special aspiration and also entails arahantship. According to some texts, such individuals are born with the Marks of a Great Man, resembling the Buddha in physical appearance.
Although this aspiration may appear inferior to that of a Chief Disciple or a Pacceka Buddha, it is nonetheless a very special one.
That makes a lot of sense. Thank you for the references.
This site presents a very detailed description of Rāhula’s life.
The Cūḷarāhulovāda Sutta (MN 147) is the discourse that led Rāhula to arahantship and brought thousands of deities to stream-entry.
It was a highly anticipated event among the devas; perhaps similar events have occurred in other dispensations.