Bv 25The History of the Buddha Koṇāgamana

– BUDDHAVAMSA

25. The History of the Buddha Koṇāgamana:

Inda-bh 1After (the Buddha) Kakusandha, there was the Omniscient One, the Supreme Person, the Conqueror, the foremost of the world, the Bull among Men named Koṇāgamana.

Inda-bh 2Having fulfilled the ten qualities completely, he crossed over the desert (of saṃsāra). Having cleansed all impurities, he attained the supreme state of Omniscience.

Inda-bh 3While the Leader Koṇāgamana was turning the wheel of the True Dhamma, there was the first penetration by thirty thousand koṭis (three hundred billion) of beings.

Inda-bh 4And while demonstrating the spiritual power that dispels other doctrines, there was the second penetration by twenty thousand koṭis (two hundred billion) of beings.

Inda-bh 5Next, having manifested a transformation (of supernormal power), the Conqueror went to the city of the devas. There, the Omniscient One sat upon the stone that is the golden throne of the Lord Sakka.

Inda-bh 6That Sage observed the rains retreat (in the heavenly realm), while teaching the seven books (of the Abhidhamma); there was the third penetration by ten thousand koṭis (one hundred billion) of beings.

Inda-bh 7That Deva of the devas had but one assembly of the Canker-free ones, free from defilements, with minds purified in such a manner.

Inda-bh 8At that time, there was an assembly of thirty thousand bhikkhus who had crossed beyond the flood and had dissolved death.

Inda-bh 9At that time, I was a Kṣatriya named Pabbata, endowed with companions and ministers, with no small measure of troops and vehicles.

Inda-bh 10Having gone to meet the Omniscient One and having heard the supreme Dhamma, I invited the assembly together with the Conqueror and offered gifts according to my wish.

Inda-bh 11I offered to the Teacher and to the Disciples cloth from Pattuṇṇa, cloth from China, silk from Kāsī, together with woolen blankets, and also a pair of golden sandals.

Inda-bh 12That Sage, sitting in the midst of the assembly, also uttered this aspiration on my behalf: "In this Bhadda aeon, this one will become a Buddha.

Inda-bh 13Having departed from the beautiful (city) named Kapila, the Tathāgata will strive with great effort and perform the deeds that are difficult to perform (austerities).

Inda-bh 14Having sat down at the foot of a goatherds' tree, the Tathāgata will receive the milk-rice offering there, and then proceed to the Nerañjarā (Niraṅjanā).

Inda-bh 15On the bank of the river Nerañjarā, that Conqueror will partake of the milk-rice and then go to the Bodhi tree by the noble path that has been prepared.

Inda-bh 16Then, having circumambulated the precinct of the Bodhi tree, the Peerless One of great renown will be enlightened at the foot of the Assattha tree.

Inda-bh 17The mother who gives birth to this one will be named Māyā. The father will be named Suddhodana. This one will be Gotama.

Inda-bh 18Kolita and Upatissa, free from cankers, with passion departed, with minds calmed and composed, will be the foremost (two) Disciples. The attendant named Ānanda will serve this Conqueror.

Inda-bh 19Khemā and Uppalavaṇṇā, free from cankers, with passion departed, with minds calmed and composed, will be the foremost (two) female Disciples. The Bodhi tree of that Blessed One is called 'Assattha.'

Inda-bh 20Citta and Haṭṭhāḷavaka will be the foremost (two) male lay supporters. Uttarā and Nandamātā will be the foremost (two) female lay supporters. The lifespan (in the age) of that renowned Gotama will be one hundred years."

Inda-bh 21Having 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 22They uttered cries of rejoicing, clapped their hands, and broke into smiles. Ten thousand worlds together with the devas raised their joined palms in reverence, saying:

Inda-bh 23"If we fail with the teaching of this Leader of the World, then we will come face to face with that one in the distant future.

Inda-bh 24Just as people crossing a river who do not reach the further bank cross the great river after reaching the bank that lies downstream,

Inda-bh 25In exactly the same way, if all of us miss this Conqueror, then we will come face to face with that one in the distant future."

Inda-bh 26Having heard those words of that one, I increased my faith further. I resolved upon the supreme practice to fulfill the perfection of the ten qualities.

Inda-bh 27While seeking the state of Omniscience, I offered gifts to the Supreme Person. Having renounced the vast kingdom, I went forth in his presence.

Inda-bh 28The city was named Sobhavatī; the Kṣatriya king was named Sobha. There, the great lineage of the Omniscient One dwelt within the city.

Inda-bh 29And that brahmin Yaññadatta was the father of the Buddha. The mother of the Teacher Koṇāgamana was named Uttarā.

Inda-bh 30He lived in the midst of his family for three thousand years. There were three magnificent palaces: Tusita, Santusita, and Santuṭṭha.

Inda-bh 31There were no fewer than sixteen thousand women, adorned with ornaments. That woman (his wife) was named Rucigattā. His son was named Satthavāha.

Inda-bh 32Having seen the four signs, the Supreme Person departed by means of an elephant and practiced the effort of striving for six months.

Inda-bh 33Implored by Brahmā, the Leader, the Great Hero, the Supreme Person named Koṇāgamana turned the wheel (of the Dhamma) at Migadāya (the Deer Park).

Inda-bh 34Bhiyyasa and Uttara were the foremost (two) Disciples. The attendant of the renowned Koṇāgamana was named Sotthija.

Inda-bh 35Samuddā and Uttarā were the foremost (two) female Disciples. The Bodhi tree of that Blessed One is called "Udumbara."

Inda-bh 36Ugga and Somadeva were the foremost (two) male lay supporters. Sīvalā and also Sāmā were the foremost (two) female lay supporters.

Inda-bh 37That Buddha reached a height of thirty cubits (fifteen metres). Like a golden ornament in the forge of a blacksmith, he shone resplendent with his auras in such a manner.

Inda-bh 38His lifespan is known to have extended to thirty thousand years. While enduring for that length of time, he enabled many beings to cross over.

Inda-bh 39Having raised high the Dhamma-stūpa adorned with banners of the Dhamma, he gathered together a garland of Dhamma and then attained Nirvana together with his Disciples.

Inda-bh 40His disciples of great spiritual power, of brilliant exposition of the Dhamma — all have completely vanished; are not all conditioned formations empty?

Inda-bh 41The Omniscient One Koṇāgamana attained Nirvana at the Pabbata monastery. There was a dispersal of relics from that land to all the various places.

The History of the Buddha Koṇāgamana is the twenty-third chapter.