San Lo Mvu 20The History of Dīpaṁkara

EXPLANATION OF THE SUTTA ON THE HISTORY OF DĪPAṂKARA

Background

The sutta “The History of Dīpaṃkara” is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Samantapāsādikā or in historical sections related to the Buddha Dīpaṃkara. In the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, Dīpaṃkara is a Buddha of many former ages, one whom Gotama, the Buddha Shakyamuni, remembered and revered as an ancient sage. This discourse is not an independent text among the Five Nikāyas, but a traditional historical section recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka to provide context regarding the Buddhas of many past ages.

The role of this discourse is to educate devotees about the history of the Buddha-Dharma across many lives, especially to show that Buddhism did not begin with the Buddha Shakyamuni, but is a continuous tradition from past Buddhas. Learning about Dīpaṃkara helps practitioners recognize the causal connection running through many lives.

Main Content

The discourse recounts the story of the Buddha Dīpaṃkara, who is known as the radiant Buddha (dīpa + aṅkara, meaning “one who brings light”). According to the Theravāda tradition, Dīpaṃkara is the second Buddha in the sequence of ancient Buddhas, living in the very distant past.

Notably, the Buddha Gotama (Shakyamuni) in a former life was an ascetic named Sumedha. When he met the Buddha Dīpaṃkara, Sumedha performed a very important act: he lay down in the road so that Dīpaṃkara and the Sangha could pass over him, and through this act, together with his boundless aspiration, Sumedha vowed to become a Buddha in the future. The Buddha Dīpaṃkara confirmed that this person would fulfill that aspiration and would become the Buddha Gotama.

This story expresses the power of aspiration (adhiṭṭhāna) and long dedication to attaining Buddhahood. It demonstrates the principle of cause and effect and faith in an individual’s capacity for practice across many lives.