DN 14 · The Great Discourse on Traces Left Behind
DN 14 · Mahāpadānasutta
1. On Past Lives
1. Pubbenivāsapaṭisaṁyuttakathā
So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery, in the hut by the kareri tree.
Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme karerikuṭikāyaṁ.
Then after the meal, on return from almsround, several mendicants sat together in the pavilion by the kareri tree and this Dhamma talk on the subject of past lives came up among them, “So it was in a past life; such it was in a past life.”
Atha kho sambahulānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantānaṁ karerimaṇḍalamāḷe sannisinnānaṁ sannipatitānaṁ pubbenivāsapaṭisaṁyuttā dhammī kathā udapādi: “itipi pubbenivāso, itipi pubbenivāso”ti.
With clairaudience that is purified and superhuman, the Buddha heard that discussion among the mendicants. So he got up from his seat and went to the pavilion, where he sat on the seat spread out and addressed the mendicants: “Mendicants, what were you sitting talking about just now? What conversation was left unfinished?”
Assosi kho bhagavā dibbāya sotadhātuyā visuddhāya atikkantamānusikāya tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ imaṁ kathāsallāpaṁ. Atha kho bhagavā uṭṭhāyāsanā yena karerimaṇḍalamāḷo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi, nisajja kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “kāya nuttha, bhikkhave, etarahi kathāya sannisinnā; kā ca pana vo antarākathā vippakatā”ti?
The mendicants told him what had happened, adding, “This is the conversation that was unfinished when the Buddha arrived.”
Evaṁ vutte, te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ: “idha, bhante, amhākaṁ pacchābhattaṁ piṇḍapātapaṭikkantānaṁ karerimaṇḍalamāḷe sannisinnānaṁ sannipatitānaṁ pubbenivāsapaṭisaṁyuttā dhammī kathā udapādi: ‘itipi pubbenivāso itipi pubbenivāso’ti. Ayaṁ kho no, bhante, antarākathā vippakatā. Atha bhagavā anuppatto”ti.
“Would you like to hear a Dhamma talk on the subject of past lives?”
“Iccheyyātha no tumhe, bhikkhave, pubbenivāsapaṭisaṁyuttaṁ dhammiṁ kathaṁ sotun”ti?
“Now is the time, Blessed One! Now is the time, Holy One! Let the Buddha give a Dhamma talk on the subject of past lives. The mendicants will listen and remember it.”
“Etassa, bhagavā, kālo; etassa, sugata, kālo; yaṁ bhagavā pubbenivāsapaṭisaṁyuttaṁ dhammiṁ kathaṁ kareyya, bhagavato sutvā bhikkhū dhāressantī”ti.
“Well then, mendicants, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”
“Tena hi, bhikkhave, suṇātha sādhukaṁ manasi karotha bhāsissāmī”ti.
“Yes, sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:
“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:
“Ninety-one eons ago, the Buddha Vipassī arose in the world, perfected and fully awakened. Thirty-one eons ago, the Buddha Sikhī arose in the world, perfected and fully awakened. In the same thirty-first eon, the Buddha Vessabhū arose in the world, perfected and fully awakened. In the present fortunate eon, the Buddhas Kakusandha, Koṇāgamana, and Kassapa arose in the world, perfected and fully awakened. And in the present fortunate eon, I have arisen in the world, perfected and fully awakened.
“Ito so, bhikkhave, ekanavutikappe yaṁ vipassī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho loke udapādi. Ito so, bhikkhave, ekatiṁse kappe yaṁ sikhī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho loke udapādi. Tasmiññeva kho, bhikkhave, ekatiṁse kappe vessabhū bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho loke udapādi. Imasmiññeva kho, bhikkhave, bhaddakappe kakusandho bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho loke udapādi. Imasmiññeva kho, bhikkhave, bhaddakappe koṇāgamano bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho loke udapādi. Imasmiññeva kho, bhikkhave, bhaddakappe kassapo bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho loke udapādi. Imasmiññeva kho, bhikkhave, bhaddakappe ahaṁ etarahi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho loke uppanno.
The Buddhas Vipassī, Sikhī, and Vessabhū were born as aristocrats into aristocrat families. The Buddhas Kakusandha, Koṇāgamana, and Kassapa were born as brahmins into brahmin families. I was born as an aristocrat into an aristocrat family.
Vipassī, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho khattiyo jātiyā ahosi, khattiyakule udapādi. Sikhī, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho khattiyo jātiyā ahosi, khattiyakule udapādi. Vessabhū, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho khattiyo jātiyā ahosi, khattiyakule udapādi. Kakusandho, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho brāhmaṇo jātiyā ahosi, brāhmaṇakule udapādi. Koṇāgamano, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho brāhmaṇo jātiyā ahosi, brāhmaṇakule udapādi. Kassapo, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho brāhmaṇo jātiyā ahosi, brāhmaṇakule udapādi. Ahaṁ, bhikkhave, etarahi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho khattiyo jātiyā ahosiṁ, khattiyakule uppanno.
Koṇḍañña was the clan of Vipassī, Sikhī, and Vessabhū. Kassapa was the clan of Kakusandha, Koṇāgamana, and Kassapa. Gotama is my clan.
Vipassī, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho koṇḍañño gottena ahosi. Sikhī, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho koṇḍañño gottena ahosi. Vessabhū, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho koṇḍañño gottena ahosi. Kakusandho, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho kassapo gottena ahosi. Koṇāgamano, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho kassapo gottena ahosi. Kassapo, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho kassapo gottena ahosi. Ahaṁ, bhikkhave, etarahi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho gotamo gottena ahosiṁ.
For Vipassī, the lifespan was 80,000 years. For Sikhī, the lifespan was 70,000 years. For Vessabhū, the lifespan was 60,000 years. For Kakusandha, the lifespan was 40,000 years. For Koṇāgamana, the lifespan was 30,000 years. For Kassapa, the lifespan was 20,000 years. For me at this time the lifespan is short, brief, and fleeting. A long life is a hundred years or a little more.
Vipassissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa asītivassasahassāni āyuppamāṇaṁ ahosi. Sikhissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa sattativassasahassāni āyuppamāṇaṁ ahosi. Vessabhussa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa saṭṭhivassasahassāni āyuppamāṇaṁ ahosi. Kakusandhassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa cattālīsavassasahassāni āyuppamāṇaṁ ahosi. Koṇāgamanassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa tiṁsavassasahassāni āyuppamāṇaṁ ahosi. Kassapassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa vīsativassasahassāni āyuppamāṇaṁ ahosi. Mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, etarahi appakaṁ āyuppamāṇaṁ parittaṁ lahukaṁ; yo ciraṁ jīvati, so vassasataṁ appaṁ vā bhiyyo.
Vipassī was awakened at the root of a patala tree. Sikhī was awakened at the root of a white-mango tree. Vessabhū was awakened at the root of a sal tree. Kakusandha was awakened at the root of a lebbeck tree. Koṇāgamana was awakened at the root of a cluster fig tree. Kassapa was awakened at the root of a banyan tree. I was awakened at the root of a peepal tree.
Vipassī, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho pāṭaliyā mūle abhisambuddho. Sikhī, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho puṇḍarīkassa mūle abhisambuddho. Vessabhū, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho sālassa mūle abhisambuddho. Kakusandho, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho sirīsassa mūle abhisambuddho. Koṇāgamano, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho udumbarassa mūle abhisambuddho. Kassapo, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho nigrodhassa mūle abhisambuddho. Ahaṁ, bhikkhave, etarahi arahaṁ sammāsambuddho assatthassa mūle abhisambuddho.
Vipassī had a fine pair of chief disciples named Khaṇḍa and Tissa. Sikhī had a fine pair of chief disciples named Abhibhū and Sambhava. Vessabhū had a fine pair of chief disciples named Soṇa and Uttara. Kakusandha had a fine pair of chief disciples named Vidhura and Sañjīva. Koṇāgamana had a fine pair of chief disciples named Bhiyyosa and Uttara. Kassapa had a fine pair of chief disciples named Tissa and Bhāradvāja. I have a fine pair of chief disciples named Sāriputta and Moggallāna.
Vipassissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa khaṇḍatissaṁ nāma sāvakayugaṁ ahosi aggaṁ bhaddayugaṁ. Sikhissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa abhibhūsambhavaṁ nāma sāvakayugaṁ ahosi aggaṁ bhaddayugaṁ. Vessabhussa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa soṇuttaraṁ nāma sāvakayugaṁ ahosi aggaṁ bhaddayugaṁ. Kakusandhassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa vidhurasañjīvaṁ nāma sāvakayugaṁ ahosi aggaṁ bhaddayugaṁ. Koṇāgamanassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa bhiyyosuttaraṁ nāma sāvakayugaṁ ahosi aggaṁ bhaddayugaṁ. Kassapassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa tissabhāradvājaṁ nāma sāvakayugaṁ ahosi aggaṁ bhaddayugaṁ. Mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, etarahi sāriputtamoggallānaṁ nāma sāvakayugaṁ ahosi aggaṁ bhaddayugaṁ.
Vipassī had three gatherings of disciples—one of 6,800,000, one of 100,000, and one of 80,000—all of them mendicants who had ended their defilements.
Vipassissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa tayo sāvakānaṁ sannipātā ahesuṁ. Eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi aṭṭhasaṭṭhibhikkhusatasahassaṁ, eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi bhikkhusatasahassaṁ, eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi asītibhikkhusahassāni. Vipassissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa ime tayo sāvakānaṁ sannipātā ahesuṁ sabbesaṁyeva khīṇāsavānaṁ.
Sikhī had three gatherings of disciples—one of 100,000, one of 80,000, and one of 70,000—all of them mendicants who had ended their defilements.
Sikhissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa tayo sāvakānaṁ sannipātā ahesuṁ. Eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi bhikkhusatasahassaṁ, eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi asītibhikkhusahassāni, eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi sattatibhikkhusahassāni. Sikhissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa ime tayo sāvakānaṁ sannipātā ahesuṁ sabbesaṁyeva khīṇāsavānaṁ.
Vessabhū had three gatherings of disciples—one of 80,000, one of 70,000, and one of 60,000—all of them mendicants who had ended their defilements.
Vessabhussa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa tayo sāvakānaṁ sannipātā ahesuṁ. Eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi asītibhikkhusahassāni, eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi sattatibhikkhusahassāni, eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi saṭṭhibhikkhusahassāni. Vessabhussa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa ime tayo sāvakānaṁ sannipātā ahesuṁ sabbesaṁyeva khīṇāsavānaṁ.
Kakusandha had one gathering of disciples—40,000 mendicants who had ended their defilements.
Kakusandhassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi cattālīsabhikkhusahassāni. Kakusandhassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa ayaṁ eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi sabbesaṁyeva khīṇāsavānaṁ.
Koṇāgamana had one gathering of disciples—30,000 mendicants who had ended their defilements.
Koṇāgamanassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi tiṁsabhikkhusahassāni. Koṇāgamanassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa ayaṁ eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi sabbesaṁyeva khīṇāsavānaṁ.
Kassapa had one gathering of disciples—20,000 mendicants who had ended their defilements.
Kassapassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi vīsatibhikkhusahassāni. Kassapassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa ayaṁ eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi sabbesaṁyeva khīṇāsavānaṁ.
I have had one gathering of disciples—1,250 mendicants who had ended their defilements.
Mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, etarahi eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi aḍḍhateḷasāni bhikkhusatāni. Mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, ayaṁ eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi sabbesaṁyeva khīṇāsavānaṁ.
Vipassī had as chief attendant a mendicant named Asoka. Sikhī had as chief attendant a mendicant named Khemaṅkara. Vessabhū had as chief attendant a mendicant named Upasanta. Kakusandha had as chief attendant a mendicant named Buddhija. Koṇāgamana had as chief attendant a mendicant named Sotthija. Kassapa had as chief attendant a mendicant named Sabbamitta. I have as chief attendant a mendicant named Ānanda.
Vipassissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa asoko nāma bhikkhu upaṭṭhāko ahosi aggupaṭṭhāko. Sikhissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa khemaṅkaro nāma bhikkhu upaṭṭhāko ahosi aggupaṭṭhāko. Vessabhussa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa upasanto nāma bhikkhu upaṭṭhāko ahosi aggupaṭṭhāko. Kakusandhassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa buddhijo nāma bhikkhu upaṭṭhāko ahosi aggupaṭṭhāko. Koṇāgamanassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa sotthijo nāma bhikkhu upaṭṭhāko ahosi aggupaṭṭhāko. Kassapassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa sabbamitto nāma bhikkhu upaṭṭhāko ahosi aggupaṭṭhāko. Mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, etarahi ānando nāma bhikkhu upaṭṭhāko ahosi aggupaṭṭhāko.
Vipassī’s father was King Bandhumā, his birth mother was Queen Bandhumatī, and their capital city was named Bandhumatī.
Vipassissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa bandhumā nāma rājā pitā ahosi. Bandhumatī nāma devī mātā ahosi janetti. Bandhumassa rañño bandhumatī nāma nagaraṁ rājadhānī ahosi.
Sikhī’s father was King Aruṇa, his birth mother was Queen Pabhāvatī, and their capital city was named Aruṇavatī.
Sikhissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa aruṇo nāma rājā pitā ahosi. Pabhāvatī nāma devī mātā ahosi janetti. Aruṇassa rañño aruṇavatī nāma nagaraṁ rājadhānī ahosi.
Vessabhū’s father was King Suppatita, his birth mother was Queen Vassavatī, and their capital city was named Anoma.
Vessabhussa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa suppatito nāma rājā pitā ahosi. Vassavatī nāma devī mātā ahosi janetti. Suppatitassa rañño anomaṁ nāma nagaraṁ rājadhānī ahosi.
Kakusandha’s father was the brahmin Aggidatta, and his birth mother was the brahmin lady Visākhā. At that time the king was Khema, whose capital city was named Khemavatī.
Kakusandhassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa aggidatto nāma brāhmaṇo pitā ahosi. Visākhā nāma brāhmaṇī mātā ahosi janetti. Tena kho pana, bhikkhave, samayena khemo nāma rājā ahosi. Khemassa rañño khemavatī nāma nagaraṁ rājadhānī ahosi.
Koṇāgamana’s father was the brahmin Yaññadatta, and his birth mother was the brahmin lady Uttarā. At that time the king was Sobha, whose capital city was named Sobhavatī.
Koṇāgamanassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa yaññadatto nāma brāhmaṇo pitā ahosi. Uttarā nāma brāhmaṇī mātā ahosi janetti. Tena kho pana, bhikkhave, samayena sobho nāma rājā ahosi. Sobhassa rañño sobhavatī nāma nagaraṁ rājadhānī ahosi.
Kassapa’s father was the brahmin Brahmadatta, and his birth mother was the brahmin lady Dhanavatī. At that time the king was Kikī, whose capital city was named Varanasi.
Kassapassa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa brahmadatto nāma brāhmaṇo pitā ahosi. Dhanavatī nāma brāhmaṇī mātā ahosi janetti. Tena kho pana, bhikkhave, samayena kikī nāma rājā ahosi. Kikissa rañño bārāṇasī nāma nagaraṁ rājadhānī ahosi.
In this life, my father was King Suddhodana, my birth mother was Queen Māyā, and our capital city was Kapilavatthu.”
Mayhaṁ, bhikkhave, etarahi suddhodano nāma rājā pitā ahosi. Māyā nāma devī mātā ahosi janetti. Kapilavatthu nāma nagaraṁ rājadhānī ahosī”ti.
That is what the Buddha said. When he had spoken, the Holy One rose from his seat and entered his dwelling.
Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvāna sugato uṭṭhāyāsanā vihāraṁ pāvisi.
Soon after the Buddha left, those mendicants discussed among themselves:
Atha kho tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ acirapakkantassa bhagavato ayamantarākathā udapādi:
“It’s incredible, reverends, it’s amazing! The Realized One has such psychic power and might! For he is able to recollect the birth, names, clans, lifespan, chief disciples, and gatherings of disciples of the Buddhas of the past who have become fully quenched, cut off proliferation, cut off the course, finished off the cycle, and passed beyond all suffering: ‘Such is the birth, names, clans, conduct, teachings, wisdom, meditation, and freedom of those Blessed Ones.’
“acchariyaṁ, āvuso, abbhutaṁ, āvuso, tathāgatassa mahiddhikatā mahānubhāvatā. Yatra hi nāma tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarissati, nāmatopi anussarissati, gottatopi anussarissati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarissati, sāvakayugatopi anussarissati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarissati: ‘evaṁjaccā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁnāmā evaṅgottā evaṁsīlā evaṁdhammā evaṁpaññā evaṁvihārī evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipī’”ti.
Is it because the Realized One has clearly penetrated the principle of the teachings that he can recollect all these things? Or did deities tell him?” But this conversation among those mendicants was left unfinished.
“Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, tathāgatasseva nu kho esā dhammadhātu suppaṭividdhā, yassā dhammadhātuyā suppaṭividdhattā tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarati, nāmatopi anussarati, gottatopi anussarati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarati, sāvakayugatopi anussarati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarati: ‘evaṁjaccā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁnāmā evaṅgottā evaṁsīlā evaṁdhammā evaṁpaññā evaṁvihārī evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipī’ti, udāhu devatā tathāgatassa etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ, yena tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarati, nāmatopi anussarati, gottatopi anussarati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarati, sāvakayugatopi anussarati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarati: ‘evaṁjaccā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁnāmā evaṅgottā evaṁsīlā evaṁdhammā evaṁpaññā evaṁvihārī evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipī’”ti. Ayañca hidaṁ tesaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ antarākathā vippakatā hoti.
Then in the late afternoon, the Buddha came out of retreat and went to the pavilion by the kareri tree, where he sat down on the seat spread out and addressed the mendicants: “Mendicants, what were you sitting talking about just now? What conversation was left unfinished?”
Atha kho bhagavā sāyanhasamayaṁ paṭisallānā vuṭṭhito yena karerimaṇḍalamāḷo tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi. Nisajja kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “kāya nuttha, bhikkhave, etarahi kathāya sannisinnā; kā ca pana vo antarākathā vippakatā”ti?
The mendicants told him what had happened, adding, “This was our conversation that was unfinished when the Buddha arrived.”
Evaṁ vutte, te bhikkhū bhagavantaṁ etadavocuṁ: “idha, bhante, amhākaṁ acirapakkantassa bhagavato ayaṁ antarākathā udapādi: ‘acchariyaṁ, āvuso, abbhutaṁ, āvuso, tathāgatassa mahiddhikatā mahānubhāvatā. Yatra hi nāma tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarissati, nāmatopi anussarissati, gottatopi anussarissati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarissati, sāvakayugatopi anussarissati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarissati: “evaṁjaccā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁnāmā evaṅgottā evaṁsīlā evaṁdhammā evaṁpaññā evaṁvihārī evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipī”ti. Kiṁ nu kho, āvuso, tathāgatasseva nu kho esā dhammadhātu suppaṭividdhā, yassā dhammadhātuyā suppaṭividdhattā tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarati, nāmatopi anussarati, gottatopi anussarati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarati, sāvakayugatopi anussarati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarati: “evaṁjaccā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁnāmā evaṅgottā evaṁsīlā evaṁdhammā evaṁpaññā evaṁvihārī evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipī”ti. Udāhu devatā tathāgatassa etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ, yena tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarati, nāmatopi anussarati, gottatopi anussarati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarati, sāvakayugatopi anussarati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarati: “evaṁjaccā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁnāmā evaṅgottā evaṁsīlā evaṁdhammā evaṁpaññā evaṁvihārī evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipī”’ti? Ayaṁ kho no, bhante, antarākathā vippakatā, atha bhagavā anuppatto”ti.
“It is because the Realized One has clearly penetrated the principle of the teachings that he can recollect all these things. And the deities also told me.
“Tathāgatassevesā, bhikkhave, dhammadhātu suppaṭividdhā, yassā dhammadhātuyā suppaṭividdhattā tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarati, nāmatopi anussarati, gottatopi anussarati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarati, sāvakayugatopi anussarati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarati: ‘evaṁjaccā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁnāmā evaṅgottā evaṁsīlā evaṁdhammā evaṁpaññā evaṁvihārī evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipī’ti. Devatāpi tathāgatassa etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ, yena tathāgato atīte buddhe parinibbute chinnapapañce chinnavaṭume pariyādinnavaṭṭe sabbadukkhavītivatte jātitopi anussarati, nāmatopi anussarati, gottatopi anussarati, āyuppamāṇatopi anussarati, sāvakayugatopi anussarati, sāvakasannipātatopi anussarati: ‘evaṁjaccā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipi, evaṁnāmā evaṅgottā evaṁsīlā evaṁdhammā evaṁpaññā evaṁvihārī evaṁvimuttā te bhagavanto ahesuṁ itipī’ti.
Would you like to hear a further Dhamma talk on the subject of past lives?”
Iccheyyātha no tumhe, bhikkhave, bhiyyoso mattāya pubbenivāsapaṭisaṁyuttaṁ dhammiṁ kathaṁ sotun”ti?
“Now is the time, Blessed One! Now is the time, Holy One! Let the Buddha give a further Dhamma talk on the subject of past lives. The mendicants will listen and remember it.”
“Etassa, bhagavā, kālo; etassa, sugata, kālo; yaṁ bhagavā bhiyyoso mattāya pubbenivāsapaṭisaṁyuttaṁ dhammiṁ kathaṁ kareyya, bhagavato sutvā bhikkhū dhāressantī”ti.
“Well then, mendicants, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”
“Tena hi, bhikkhave, suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.
“Yes, sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:
“Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:
“Ninety-one eons ago, the Buddha Vipassī arose in the world, perfected and fully awakened. He was born as an aristocrat into an aristocrat family. His clan was Koṇḍañña. He lived for 80,000 years. He was awakened at the root of a patala tree. He had a fine pair of chief disciples named Khaṇḍa and Tissa. He had three gatherings of disciples— one of 6,800,000, one of 100,000, and one of 80,000— all of them mendicants who had ended their defilements. He had as chief attendant a mendicant named Asoka. His father was King Bandhumā, his birth mother was Queen Bandhumatī, and their capital city was named Bandhumatī.
“Ito so, bhikkhave, ekanavutikappe yaṁ vipassī bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho loke udapādi. Vipassī, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho khattiyo jātiyā ahosi, khattiyakule udapādi. Vipassī, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho koṇḍañño gottena ahosi. Vipassissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa asītivassasahassāni āyuppamāṇaṁ ahosi. Vipassī, bhikkhave, bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho pāṭaliyā mūle abhisambuddho. Vipassissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa khaṇḍatissaṁ nāma sāvakayugaṁ ahosi aggaṁ bhaddayugaṁ. Vipassissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa tayo sāvakānaṁ sannipātā ahesuṁ. Eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi aṭṭhasaṭṭhibhikkhusatasahassaṁ, eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi bhikkhusatasahassaṁ, eko sāvakānaṁ sannipāto ahosi asītibhikkhusahassāni. Vipassissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa ime tayo sāvakānaṁ sannipātā ahesuṁ sabbesaṁyeva khīṇāsavānaṁ. Vipassissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa asoko nāma bhikkhu upaṭṭhāko ahosi aggupaṭṭhāko. Vipassissa, bhikkhave, bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa bandhumā nāma rājā pitā ahosi. Bandhumatī nāma devī mātā ahosi janetti. Bandhumassa rañño bandhumatī nāma nagaraṁ rājadhānī ahosi.
2. What’s Normal For One Intent on Awakening
2. Bodhisattadhammatā
When Vipassī, the being intent on awakening, passed away from the host of joyful gods, he was conceived in his mother’s womb, mindful and aware. This is normal in such a case.
Atha kho, bhikkhave, vipassī bodhisatto tusitā kāyā cavitvā sato sampajāno mātukucchiṁ okkami. Ayamettha dhammatā.
It’s normal that, when the being intent on awakening passes away from the host of joyful gods, he is conceived in his mother’s womb. And then—in this world with its gods, Māras, and divinities, this population with its ascetics and brahmins, gods and humans—an immeasurable, magnificent light appears, surpassing the glory of the gods. Even in the boundless gloom of interstellar space—so utterly dark that even the luminosity of the moon and the sun, so mighty and powerful, makes no impression—an immeasurable, magnificent light appears, surpassing the glory of the gods. And the sentient beings reborn there recognize each other by that light: ‘So, it seems other sentient beings have been reborn here!’ And this ten-thousandfold galaxy shakes and rocks and trembles. And an immeasurable, magnificent light appears in the world, surpassing the glory of the gods. This is normal in such a case.
Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, yadā bodhisatto tusitā kāyā cavitvā mātukucchiṁ okkamati. Atha sadevake loke samārake sabrahmake sassamaṇabrāhmaṇiyā pajāya sadevamanussāya appamāṇo uḷāro obhāso pātubhavati atikkammeva devānaṁ devānubhāvaṁ. Yāpi tā lokantarikā aghā asaṁvutā andhakārā andhakāratimisā, yatthapime candimasūriyā evaṁmahiddhikā evaṁmahānubhāvā ābhāya nānubhonti, tatthapi appamāṇo uḷāro obhāso pātubhavati atikkammeva devānaṁ devānubhāvaṁ. Yepi tattha sattā upapannā, tepi tenobhāsena aññamaññaṁ sañjānanti: ‘aññepi kira, bho, santi sattā idhūpapannā’ti. Ayañca dasasahassī lokadhātu saṅkampati sampakampati sampavedhati. Appamāṇo ca uḷāro obhāso loke pātubhavati atikkammeva devānaṁ devānubhāvaṁ. Ayamettha dhammatā.
It’s normal that, when the being intent on awakening is conceived in his mother’s womb, four godlings approach to guard the four quarters, so that no human or non-human or anyone at all shall harm the being intent on awakening or his mother. This is normal in such a case.
Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, yadā bodhisatto mātukucchiṁ okkanto hoti, cattāro naṁ devaputtā catuddisaṁ rakkhāya upagacchanti: ‘mā naṁ bodhisattaṁ vā bodhisattamātaraṁ vā manusso vā amanusso vā koci vā viheṭhesī’ti. Ayamettha dhammatā.
It’s normal that, when the being intent on awakening is conceived in his mother’s womb, she becomes naturally ethical. She refrains from killing living creatures, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and beer, wine, and liquor intoxicants. This is normal in such a case.
Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, yadā bodhisatto mātukucchiṁ okkanto hoti, pakatiyā sīlavatī bodhisattamātā hoti, viratā pāṇātipātā, viratā adinnādānā, viratā kāmesumicchācārā, viratā musāvādā, viratā surāmerayamajjappamādaṭṭhānā. Ayamettha dhammatā.
It’s normal that, when the being intent on awakening is conceived in his mother’s womb, she no longer thinks of men in a sexual way, and she cannot be violated by a man of lustful intent. This is normal in such a case.
Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, yadā bodhisatto mātukucchiṁ okkanto hoti, na bodhisattamātu purisesu mānasaṁ uppajjati kāmaguṇūpasaṁhitaṁ, anatikkamanīyā ca bodhisattamātā hoti kenaci purisena rattacittena. Ayamettha dhammatā.
It’s normal that, when the being intent on awakening is conceived in his mother’s womb, she obtains the five kinds of sensual stimulation and amuses herself, supplied and provided with them. This is normal in such a case.
Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, yadā bodhisatto mātukucchiṁ okkanto hoti, lābhinī bodhisattamātā hoti pañcannaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ. Sā pañcahi kāmaguṇehi samappitā samaṅgībhūtā paricāreti. Ayamettha dhammatā.
It’s normal that, when the being intent on awakening is conceived in his mother’s womb, no afflictions beset her. She’s happy and free of bodily fatigue. And she sees the being intent on awakening in her womb, whole in his major and minor limbs, not deficient in any faculty. Suppose there was a beryl gem that was naturally lustrous, eight-faceted, well-worked, transparent, clear, and unclouded, endowed with all good qualities. And it was strung with a thread of blue, yellow, red, white, or golden brown. And a person with clear eyes were to take it in their hand and examine it: ‘This beryl gem is naturally lustrous, eight-faceted, well-worked, transparent, clear, and unclouded, endowed with all good qualities. And it’s strung with a thread of blue, yellow, red, white, or golden brown.’
Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, yadā bodhisatto mātukucchiṁ okkanto hoti, na bodhisattamātu kocideva ābādho uppajjati. Sukhinī bodhisattamātā hoti akilantakāyā, bodhisattañca bodhisattamātā tirokucchigataṁ passati sabbaṅgapaccaṅgiṁ ahīnindriyaṁ. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato accho vippasanno anāvilo sabbākārasampanno. Tatrāssa suttaṁ āvutaṁ nīlaṁ vā pītaṁ vā lohitaṁ vā odātaṁ vā paṇḍusuttaṁ vā. Tamenaṁ cakkhumā puriso hatthe karitvā paccavekkheyya: ‘ayaṁ kho maṇi veḷuriyo subho jātimā aṭṭhaṁso suparikammakato accho vippasanno anāvilo sabbākārasampanno. Tatridaṁ suttaṁ āvutaṁ nīlaṁ vā pītaṁ vā lohitaṁ vā odātaṁ vā paṇḍusuttaṁ vā’ti.
In the same way, when the being intent on awakening is conceived in his mother’s womb, no afflictions beset her. She’s happy and free of bodily fatigue. And she sees the being intent on awakening in her womb, whole in his major and minor limbs, not deficient in any faculty. This is normal in such a case.
Evameva kho, bhikkhave, yadā bodhisatto mātukucchiṁ okkanto hoti, na bodhisattamātu kocideva ābādho uppajjati, sukhinī bodhisattamātā hoti akilantakāyā, bodhisattañca bodhisattamātā tirokucchigataṁ passati sabbaṅgapaccaṅgiṁ ahīnindriyaṁ. Ayamettha dhammatā.
It’s normal that, seven days after the being intent on awakening is born, his mother passes away and is reborn in the host of joyful gods. This is normal in such a case.
Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, sattāhajāte bodhisatte bodhisattamātā kālaṁ karoti tusitaṁ kāyaṁ upapajjati. Ayamettha dhammatā.
It’s normal that, while other women carry the infant in the womb for nine or ten months before giving birth, not so the mother of the being intent on awakening. She gives birth after exactly ten months. This is normal in such a case.
Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, yathā aññā itthikā nava vā dasa vā māse gabbhaṁ kucchinā pariharitvā vijāyanti, na hevaṁ bodhisattaṁ bodhisattamātā vijāyati. Daseva māsāni bodhisattaṁ bodhisattamātā kucchinā pariharitvā vijāyati. Ayamettha dhammatā.
It’s normal that, while other women give birth while sitting or lying down, not so the mother of the being intent on awakening. She only gives birth standing up. This is normal in such a case.
Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, yathā aññā itthikā nisinnā vā nipannā vā vijāyanti, na hevaṁ bodhisattaṁ bodhisattamātā vijāyati. Ṭhitāva bodhisattaṁ bodhisattamātā vijāyati. Ayamettha dhammatā.
It’s normal that, when the being intent on awakening emerges from his mother’s womb, gods receive him first, then humans. This is normal in such a case.
Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, yadā bodhisatto mātukucchimhā nikkhamati, devā paṭhamaṁ paṭiggaṇhanti, pacchā manussā. Ayamettha dhammatā.
It’s normal that, when the being intent on awakening emerges from his mother’s womb, before he reaches the ground, four godlings receive him and place him before his mother, saying: ‘Rejoice, O Queen! An illustrious son is born to you.’ This is normal in such a case.
Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, yadā bodhisatto mātukucchimhā nikkhamati, appattova bodhisatto pathaviṁ hoti, cattāro naṁ devaputtā paṭiggahetvā mātu purato ṭhapenti: ‘attamanā, devi, hohi; mahesakkho te putto uppanno’ti. Ayamettha dhammatā.
It’s normal that, when the being intent on awakening emerges from his mother’s womb, he emerges already clean, unsoiled by waters, mucus, blood, or any other kind of impurity, pure and clean. Suppose a jewel-treasure was placed on a cloth from Kāsi. The jewel would not soil the cloth, nor would the cloth soil the jewel. Why is that? Because of the cleanliness of them both.
Dhammatā esā, bhikkhave, yadā bodhisatto mātukucchimhā nikkhamati, visadova nikkhamati amakkhito udena amakkhito semhena amakkhito ruhirena amakkhito kenaci asucinā suddho visado. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, maṇiratanaṁ kāsike vatthe nikkhittaṁ neva maṇiratanaṁ kāsikaṁ vatthaṁ makkheti, nāpi kāsikaṁ vatthaṁ maṇiratanaṁ makkheti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Ubhinnaṁ suddhattā.