Bv 17The History of the Buddha Dhammadassī

– THE HISTORY OF THE BUDDHA

17. The History of the Buddha Dhammadassī:

Inda-bh 1Also in that very Maṇḍa aeon, Dhammadassī of great renown dispelled the darkness and illuminated the world together with the celestial realms.

Inda-bh 2Also at the turning of the Wheel of the Dhamma by that one of incomparable might, there was a first penetration by one hundred thousand koṭis of beings.

Inda-bh 3When the Buddha Dhammadassī was guiding the hermit Sañjaya, there was then a second penetration by ninety koṭis of beings.

Inda-bh 4When Sakka together with his retinue came to meet the Guide, there was then a third penetration by eighty koṭis of beings.

Inda-bh 5That Deva of the devas also had three assemblies of those who had destroyed the taints, who were free from defilements, whose minds were pure in such a manner.

Inda-bh 6When the Buddha Dhammadassī spent the rains (retreat) at Saraṇa, there was then a first assembly of one thousand koṭis of beings.

Inda-bh 7On another occasion, when the Buddha descended from the celestial realm to the human realm, there was also a second assembly of one hundred koṭis of beings.

Inda-bh 8On yet another occasion, when the Buddha was expounding on the virtues that are the dhutaṅga practices, there was then a third assembly of eighty koṭis of beings.

Inda-bh 9At that time, I was Sakka, known as Purindada. I offered celestial fragrances, garlands, and musical instruments to the Buddha.

Inda-bh 10At that time, that Buddha, seated in the midst of the devas, also made this aspiration on my behalf: "In eighteen hundred aeons, this one will become a Buddha.

Inda-bh 11Having departed from the beautiful city named Kapila, the Tathāgata will strive with great effort and perform the deed that is difficult to perform.

Inda-bh 12Having sat down at the foot of the goatherds' tree, the Tathāgata will receive the milk-rice offering there and then proceed to the Nerañjarā.

Inda-bh 13On the bank of the Nerañjarā river, that Conqueror will partake of the milk-rice and then proceed to the Bodhi tree by the noble path that has been prepared.

Inda-bh 14Then, having circumambulated the precinct of the Bodhi tree, the Supreme One, the one of great renown, will attain enlightenment at the foot of the Assattha tree.

Inda-bh 15The mother who gives birth to him will be named Māyā. The father will be named Suddhodana. He will be Gotama.

Inda-bh 16Kolita and Upatissa will be the foremost disciples. The attendant named Ānanda will serve that Conqueror.

Inda-bh 17Khemā and Uppalavaṇṇā will be the foremost female disciples. The Bodhi tree of that Blessed One is called 'Assattha.'

Inda-bh 18Citta and Haṭṭhāḷavaka will be the foremost male lay supporters. Uttarā and Nandamātā will be the foremost female lay supporters. The lifespan in the time of that renowned Gotama will be one hundred years."

Inda-bh 19Having heard these words of that incomparable Great Sage, the devas and humans rejoiced, thinking: "This one is the seed and sprout of the Buddhas."

Inda-bh 20They broke into cheers, applause, and smiles. The ten thousand worlds together with the devas raised their joined hands in reverence, saying:

Inda-bh 21"If we fail to meet the teaching of this Leader of the World, then we shall encounter that one in the distant future.

Inda-bh 22Just as people crossing a river who do not reach the farther shore cross the great river after reaching the lower bank,

Inda-bh 23In just the same way, if all of us miss this Conqueror, then we shall encounter that one in the distant future."

Inda-bh 24Having heard those words, I increased my faith. I made the supreme effort to fulfill the ten perfections completely.

Inda-bh 25The city was named Saraṇa; the king of the khattiyas was named Saraṇa; the mother of the Teacher Dhammadassī was named Sunandā.

Inda-bh 26He lived in the midst of his household for eight thousand years. There were three magnificent palaces: Araja, Viraja, and Sudassana.

Inda-bh 27There were forty-three thousand adorned women. That woman, his wife, was named Vicitolī. His son was named Puññavaḍḍhana.

Inda-bh 28Having seen the four signs, the Supreme Person departed by means of his palace and practiced the effort of striving for seven days.

Inda-bh 29Requested by the Brahmā, the Bull among Men, the Great Hero, the Supreme Person Dhammadassī turned the Wheel of the Dhamma at Migadāya.

Inda-bh 30Paduma and Phussadeva were the foremost disciples. The attendant of the Teacher Dhammadassī was named Sunetta.

Inda-bh 31Khemā and Saccanāmā were the foremost female disciples. The Bodhi tree of that Blessed One is called "Bimbijāla."

Inda-bh 32Subhadda and also Kaṭissaha were the foremost male lay supporters. Sāliyā and Valiyā were the foremost female lay supporters.

Inda-bh 33Eighty arms in height (forty metres), that Buddha, equal to those without equal, was resplendent throughout the ten thousand worlds by virtue of his might.

Inda-bh 34Like a flowering Sāla king in full bloom, like a lightning bolt in the sky, like the sun at midday, so did he shine at that time.

Inda-bh 35The lifespan of that one of incomparable might was likewise remarkable; the One with Vision remained in the world for one hundred thousand years.

Inda-bh 36Having radiated splendour and rendered the Teaching free from defilements, he, together with his disciples, attained Nirvana, like the moon that has set in the sky.

Inda-bh 37The Great Hero Dhammadassī attained Nirvana at the Kesa monastery. A noble stupa was erected three yojanas in height for him at that very place.

The history of the Buddha Dhammadassī is the fifteenth section.