Bv 18The History of the Buddha Siddhattha

– BUDDHAVAṀSA

18. The History of the Buddha Siddhattha:

Inda-bh 1After (the Buddha) Dhammadassī, the World-Leader Siddhattha dispelled all darkness, like the sun that has risen in the sky.

Inda-bh 2Having attained the state of Complete Enlightenment, he also rained down the rain of the True Dhamma with a cloud, causing the world together with the devas to transcend, and leading the world together with the devas to the realization of Nirvana.

Inda-bh 3For that one of matchless power, there were also three occasions of comprehension. The first occasion of comprehension was that of one hundred thousand koṭis.

Inda-bh 4Also on yet another occasion, when he sounded the drum at Bhīmaratha (the realm of terror), the second occasion of comprehension was that of ninety koṭis.

Inda-bh 5When that Buddha, the Supreme Person, taught the Dhamma at Vebhāra, the third occasion of comprehension was that of ninety koṭis.

Inda-bh 6And that Supreme One among men also had three assemblies of those whose cankers were destroyed, who were free from defilement, with minds purified in such a manner:

Inda-bh 7These are the three figures regarding the gathering of those free from defilement: of one hundred koṭis, of ninety (koṭis), and of eighty koṭis.

Inda-bh 8At that time, I was an ascetic named Maṅgala, of supreme power, difficult to surpass, having attained meditative absorption and the power of the higher knowledges.

Inda-bh 9After bringing fruit from the Jambu tree, I offered it to (the Buddha) Siddhattha. Having received it, the Fully Enlightened One spoke these words:

Inda-bh 10"Behold this matted-hair ascetic of supreme austerity. In ninety-four aeons from this moment, this one will become a Buddha.

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

Inda-bh 12Having sat down at the foot of the goatherds' tree, the Tathāgata will receive a meal of milk-rice there and then go to the Nerañjarā (river).

Inda-bh 13At 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, after circumambulating the precinct of the Bodhi tree, the Supreme One, the one of great renown, will be enlightened at the foot of the Assattha tree.

Inda-bh 15The mother who gives birth to this one will be named Māyā. The father will be named Suddhodana. This one will be Gotama.

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

Inda-bh 17Khemā and Uppalavaṇṇā will be the foremost (pair of) 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 age) of that renowned Gotama is one hundred years."

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

Inda-bh 20They uttered cries of rejoicing, clapped their hands, and broke into smiles. The ten-thousand world-systems together with the devas joined their palms in reverence and bowed, saying:

Inda-bh 21"If we should fail to heed the teaching of this World-Leader, we will encounter that one in the distant future.

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

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

Inda-bh 24Having heard those words, I increased in faith. I resolved upon the supreme practice in order to fulfill the perfections of the ten qualities.

Inda-bh 25The city was named Vebhāra; the king of the warrior-noble class was named Udena; the mother of the Great Sage Siddhattha was named Suphassā.

Inda-bh 26He lived amid his household for ten thousand years. There were three magnificent palaces: Kokā, Suppalā, and Kokanadā.

Inda-bh 27Three times sixteen thousand (forty-eight thousand) adorned women attended him. That woman (his wife) was named Sumanā. His son was named Anupama.

Inda-bh 28Having seen the four signs, the Conqueror departed by means of a palanquin and strove with effort for ten months without interruption.

Inda-bh 29Implored by Brahmā, the World-Leader, the Great Hero, the Supreme Person Siddhattha set the Wheel (of the Dhamma) in motion at Migadāya (the Deer Park).

Inda-bh 30Sambala and Sumitta were the foremost (pair of) disciples. The attendant of the Great Sage Siddhattha was named Revata.

Inda-bh 31Sīvalā and Surāmā were the foremost (pair of) female disciples. The Bodhi tree of that Blessed One is called "Kaṇikāra."

Inda-bh 32Suppiya and Samudda were the foremost male lay supporters. Rammā and likewise Surammā were the foremost female lay supporters.

Inda-bh 33Rising into the sky to a height of sixty ratanas (fifteen meters), that Buddha illuminated the ten-thousand world-systems, like a golden pillar adorned with garlands.

Inda-bh 34That Buddha, the equal of the incomparable, was peerless, without rival. That One of Vision also dwelt in the world for one hundred thousand years.

Inda-bh 35Having manifested a magnificent radiance and caused his disciples to flourish. Having been resplendent with realization, he attained Nirvana together with his disciples.

Inda-bh 36The Buddha Siddhattha, the noble Sage, attained Nirvana at the monastery of Anoma. The noble stupa for him was erected four yojanas high at that very place.

The history of the Buddha Siddhattha is the sixteenth part.