Bv 24The History of the Buddha Kakusandha

– BUDDHAVAṀSA

24. The History of the Buddha Kakusandha:

Inda-bh 1After (the Buddha) Vessabhū, there was an Omniscient One, a Supreme Person named Kakusandha, who is immeasurable and difficult to attain.

Inda-bh 2Having destroyed all rebirths, he attained perfection in the practices, having attained the supreme state of Omniscience, like a lion (set free) after breaking the cage that confined him.

Inda-bh 3While the World-Leader Kakusandha was turning the Wheel of the True Dhamma, there was a first penetration by forty thousand koṭis (four hundred billion) beings.

Inda-bh 4Having displayed the twin miracle in the sky above, he enlightened thirty thousand koṭis (three hundred billion) of gods and humans.

Inda-bh 5The penetration of his Teaching at the time of his discourse on the four Truths for the yakkha Naradeva was incalculable by way of reckoning.

Inda-bh 6The Blessed One Kakusandha had one assembly of Arahants free from taints, with minds thus purified.

Inda-bh 7At that time there was a gathering of forty thousand who had attained the foundation of training through the destruction of the group of enemies that are the taints.

Inda-bh 8At that time I was a Khattiya named Khema. I offered a not inconsiderable gift to the Tathāgata and to the sons of the Victor.

Inda-bh 9Having offered a bowl, robes, ointment, and molasses, I prepared all these various things of immense value that had been wished for.

Inda-bh 11Having departed from the beautiful city named Kapila, the Tathāgata strove with effort and performed the practice that is difficult to perform (the austerities).

Inda-bh 12Having sat down at the tree of the goatherds, the Tathāgata received milk-rice there and then went to the Nerañjarā (river).

Inda-bh 13On the bank of the Nerañjarā river, that Victor consumed the milk-rice and then went to the Bodhi tree by the noble path that had been prepared.

Inda-bh 14Then, having circumambulated the enclosure of the Bodhi tree, the Supreme One, the one of great renown, would be enlightened at 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, free from taints, their craving abandoned, with minds peaceful and composed, will be the chief disciples. The attendant named Ānanda will serve this Victor.

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

Inda-bh 18Citta and Haṭṭhāḷavaka will be the chief male lay supporters. Uttarā and Nandamātā will be the chief 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, gods and humans rejoiced (thinking): "This one is the seed and sprout of the Buddhas."

Inda-bh 20They uttered cries of rejoicing, clapped their hands, and smiled. The ten-thousand world-systems together with the gods placed their hands together in reverence and said:

Inda-bh 21"If we fail with the teaching of this World-Leader, then we will come face to face with that one in the far distant future.

Inda-bh 22Like people crossing a river who do not reach the opposite bank, they cross the great river after reaching the bank further downstream.

Inda-bh 23In exactly the same way, if all of us miss the opportunity with this Victor, then we will come face to face with that one in the far distant future."

Inda-bh 24Having heard his words, I increased my faith. I resolved upon the supreme practice in order to fulfil the perfection of the ten qualities.

Inda-bh 25The city was named Khemavatī. At that time I was named Khema. While seeking the state of Omniscience, I went forth in his presence.

Inda-bh 26And that brahmin Aggidatta was the father of the Buddha. The mother of the Great Sage Kakusandha was named Visākhā.

Inda-bh 27Residing there in the city of Khemā, the great family of the Omniscient One was of the highest noble lineage among humankind, of great renown.

Inda-bh 28He lived among the family for four thousand years. There were three magnificent palaces named Ruci, Suruci, and Rativaddhana.

Inda-bh 29He was attended by thirty thousand adorned women. That woman (his wife) was named Virocamānā. His son was named Uttara.

Inda-bh 30Having seen the four signs, the Victor departed by means of a chariot and strove with effort for eight months without fail.

Inda-bh 31Requested by Brahmā, the World-Leader, the Great Hero, the Supreme Person Kakusandha turned the Wheel (of the Dhamma) at Migadāya (the Deer Park).

Inda-bh 32Vidhura and Sañjīva were the chief disciples. The attendant of the Great Sage Kakusandha was named Buddhija.

Inda-bh 33Sāmā and Campā were the chief female disciples. The Bodhi tree of that Blessed One was called "Sirasa."

Inda-bh 34Accuta and Sumana were the chief male lay supporters. Nandā and likewise Sunandā were the chief female lay supporters.

Inda-bh 35The Great Sage stood forty ratanas (ten metres) tall. A golden aura radiated ten leagues in all directions around him.

Inda-bh 36The lifespan of that Great Sage was forty thousand years. Abiding for that long, he helped many beings to cross over.

Inda-bh 37Having displayed the stall of the Dhamma to men and women together with the gods, having roared as the roar of the lion, he attained Nirvana along with his disciples.

Inda-bh 38Having accomplished the eight factors of speech, qualities that never diminish, all have completely disappeared; are not all conditioned things empty?

Inda-bh 39The noble Victor Kakusandha attained Nirvana at the Khemā monastery. The noble stupa built for him rose up into the sky one gāvuta in height at that very place.

The history of the Buddha Kakusandha is the twenty-second part.