993 LESSON 28-07-2013 SUNDAY
FREE ONLINE eNālāndā Research and Practice UNIVERSITY
run through http://sarvajan.ambedkar.org
Universal Welfare Friend -
E- GOOD NEWS
DISPENSATION OF AWAKENED ONES WITH AWARENESS is for DUKKHA NIRODHA (End of Suffering) of all SENTIENT & NON-SENTIENT BEINGS
(4) the age of learning [the texts] (suta-yuga)
http://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh381-p.html
VOICE OF SARVA SAMAJ SADBHAVANA
Now, Farooq Abdullah says you can fill your stomach for 1 rupee
Jagatheesan Chandrasekharan(Bangalore)
Uttar Pradesh bags award for free laptop scheme
If Internet connection which costs around Rs.1000/- is not provided
students will start selling the lap tops as they did earlier.
mosquito? No. It’s an insect spy drone for urban areas, already in
production, funded by the US Government. It can be remotely
controlled and is equipped with a camera and a microphone. It can
land on you, and it has the potential to take a DNA sample or leave RFID
tracking nanotechnology on your skin. It can fly through an open
window, or it can attach to your clothing until you take it in your
home.
Given their propensity to request macro-sized drones for
surveillance, one is left with little doubt that police and military may
look into these gadgets next. (And to think we were worried about West
Nile virus!)
And now you know why our government has requested the law
be changed to allow drone surveillance in the United
States.
கஜுராஹோ சிற்பங்கள் - சிறப்பு புகைப்படத் தொகுப்பு…
ஆண்கள் எல்லாம் சன்யாசிகளாக காடு மலைகளுக்கு சென்றுவிட்ட காலத்தில் இக்கோவிலை நிறுவி அவர்களை திறப்பு விழாவிற்கு அழைத்து, அவர்கள் வந்தப்பின் எல்லோரும் அவர்களின் மனைவிகளை தேடிக்கொண்டு வீடுகளுக்கு சென்றுவிட்டனர்.
The Coming Buddha
Ariya Metteyya
By
Saya U Chit Tin, PhD.
Assisted by
William Pruitt, PhD.
Buddhist Publication Society
Kandy • Sri Lanka
The Wheel Publication No. 381/383
2nd revised edition
Copyright © 1992
By the Sayagyu U Ba Khin Memorial Trust, U.K.
ISBN 955–24–0098–8
Originally published in 1988 as Dhammadana Series 7 by the The Sayagyi U Ba Khin Memorial Trust, U.K. This 2nd revised edition is published in the Wheel Series with the consent of the author and the original publisher.
BPS Online Edition © (2011)
Digital Transcription Source: BPS Transcription Project
For free distribution. This work may be republished, reformatted,
reprinted and redistributed in any medium. However, any such
republication and redistribution is to be made available to the public
on a free and unrestricted basis, and translations and other derivative
works are to be clearly marked as such.
Contents
Introduction to the Revised Edition
The Duration of the Sasana of Buddha Gotama
The Coming of Buddha Ariya Metteyya
The Wheel-turning Monarch Sankha
The Career of Bodhisatta Metteyya
The Chronicle of the Future Buddha
Appendix B: Aspirations to Meet Buddha Ariya Metteyya
List of abbreviations
Unless otherwise stated, all editions are by the Pali Text Society.
A Anguttara Nikaya (trans., GS)
Anag
Anagatavamsa, editions used: JPTS, 1886, pp. 33–53 (Minayeff, ed.), and Ernst Leumann, Maitreya-samiti, das Zukunftsideal der Buddhisten (Strassburg: Karl J. Trubner, 1919; Pali text, pp. 184–191; notes, pp. 192–226)
As
Atthasalini (trans., Expos.)
BN 630
Bibliothèque nationale, Pali mss 630
(& 862), commentary on Anag. We thank Mme J. Filliozat for making
available a copy of her transcription of this text.
BN 862
Bibliothèque nationale, Pali mss 862.
BT
Buddhism in Translation (trans. by H.C. Warren)
Bv-a
Buddhavamsa-atthakatha (Madhuravilasini) (trans., CSM)
CB
Chronicle of Buddhas (Buddhavamsa)
CPD
A Critical Pali Dictionary
CSM
The Clarifier of the Sweet Meaning (trans. of Bv-a)
Culte
Mohan Wijayaratna, Le Culte des dieux chez les bouddhistes singhalais (Paris: Cerf, 1987)
D
Digha-nikaya (trans., DB, TS)
DB
Dialogues of the Buddha (D)
Dbk
Dasabodhisattuppattikatha (The Birth-stories of the Ten Bodhisattas). The first number refers to the trans., the second number to the Pali text.
Dbu
Dasabodhisatta-uddesa (ed. and
French trans. by F. Martini [BEFEO 36, 2 (1936), pp. 287–390]. The first
number refers to the French trans., the second number to the Pali
text).
DPPN
Dictionary of Pali Proper Names
D-t
Digha-nikaya-tika
Dvp
Dasavatthuppakarana (ed. and trans.
by J. Ver Eecke, EFEO [1976]. The first number refers to the Pali text,
the second number to the French translation.
Expos.
The Expositor (As)
GD
The Group of Discourses (Sn)
GS
The Gradual Sayings (A)
Illus.
The Illustrator of Ultimate Meaning (Paramatthajotika I)
Ja
Jataka
JPTS
The Journal of the Pali Text Society
KS
The Kindred Sayings (S)
M
Majjhima Nikaya (trans., MLS)
MB
The Manuals of Buddhism by Ledi Sayadaw (Union of Buddha Sasana Council, 1965)
MLS
The Middle Length Sayings (M)
Moh
Mohavicchedani
Mp
Manorathapurani (commentary on A)
PED
The Pali-English Dictionary
Pj II
Paramatthajotika (commentary on Sn)
Sih
Sihalavatthuppakarana (ed. and trans. by J. Ver Eecke, EFEO [1980])
Sn
Suttanipata (trans., GD)
Sp
Samantapasadika (commentary on the Vinaya-Pitaka)
Spk
Saratthappakasini (commentary on the Samyutta-nikaya)
Sv
Sumangalavilasini (commentary on D)
Th
Theragatha
Th-a
Theragatha-atthakatha (Paramatthadipani V)
Treatise
’A Treatise on the Paramis,’ The All-Embracing Net of Views (Buddhist Publication Society 1978)
TS
Ten Suttas from Digha Nikaya (Rangoon: Burma Pitaka Association, 1984)
v(v)
verse(s)
Vism
Visuddhimagga
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhassa
Introduction
We have gathered here all the information we could find in the Theravada tradition concerning the coming Buddha. [1] In Burma and Sri Lanka, the coming Buddha is generally spoken of as Ariya Metteyya, the Noble Metteyya. [2]
The term Ariya was already added to the name in some post-canonical
Pali texts, and it shows the deep respect felt for the Bodhisatta who
will attain Awakening in the best of conditions. Indeed, all aspects of
his career as a Buddha rank among the highest achievements of Buddhas of
the past as recorded in the Buddhavamsa (The Chronicle of Buddhas).
It is only natural that over the years many people have aspired to
meet Buddha Ariya Metteyya—not only because it has become less common
for people to attain Awakening, but also because of a natural desire to
encounter such a rare occasion. In his introduction to his edition and
translation of the Dasabodhisattuppattikatha (The Birth Stories of the Ten Bodhisattas),
Ven. H. Saddhatissa has given several texts included in Pali
commentaries and chronicles and in Sinhalese Buddhist texts in which the
writers express the wish to meet the coming Buddha. [3]
The commentary on the Jataka stories ends with a poem in which the
writer aspires to be with the Bodhisatta Metteyya in the Tusita Deva
world and to receive a sure prediction of future Buddhahood from him
when he becomes a Buddha. [4] Sinhalese versions of the Visuddhimagga
end with a poem in which the writer aspires to rebirth in the Tavatimsa
Deva world and then to final liberation under Buddha Metteyya. [5]
Ven. Saddhatissa attributes these verses to Ashin Buddhaghosa, but they
seem to be written by a copyist. Another aspiration to encounter Buddha
Metteyya is found at the end of Sinhalese manuscripts of Ashin
Buddhaghosa’s Dasabodhisattuppattikatha. [6]
Ven. Saddhatissa also cites many instances from the Pali chronicles (Mahavamsa and Culavamsa) in which Sinhalese kings honoured Metteyya. [7] King Du?t?thagamani of the second century BC was considered to be destined to become the next Buddha’s chief disciple.
Royalty and high-ranking officials in Burma often made similar
aspirations. This seems to have led to building pagodas with five sides
at Pagan. Paul Strachan points out that with the Dhamma-Yazika Pagoda
(Dhamma-rajika) Pagoda, completed in 1196 by King Sithu II, “The
addition of a fifth side to temple and stupa ground plans in Burma is
without precedent throughout the Buddhist world and the Burmese were
possibly the first society throughout the world to attempt this
pentagonal type of plan for a major architectural work. The origins of
this movement lie in contemporary religious thought: the cults of
Mettaya, the future buddha, and the present cycle of five buddhas.” [8]
Two thirteenth-century inscriptions at the temple in Buddha Gaya record
that repairs on the temple were carried out through the generosity of
King Kyawswa of Burma, and the concluding verse is an aspiration to
become a disciple of Buddha Metteyya. [9] As in Sri Lanka, many Buddhist texts end with the aspiration to meet Buddha Ariya Metteyya.
Just as the future Buddha Metteyya became more important for
Buddhists as the centuries went by, many of the texts giving infomation
about him are fairly late. The Anagatavamsa is said to have been written by the author of the Mohavicchedani, Ashin Kassapa (1160–1230 AD). [10]
It is very difficult to know how far back information goes when it is
given in the Pali commentaries, sub-commentaries, chronicles, and other
texts written down after the canon. We have given all the information
available to us that is part of the Theravada tradition, but we must be
careful to remember that texts such as the Dasabodhisattuppattikatha (The Birth Stories of the Ten Bodhisattas), the Dasabodhisatta-uddesa, the Dasavatthuppakarana, and the Sihalavatthuppakarana
seem to contain information that was added at a relatively late date.
This is especially evident in the many variants in various texts for
names and numbers.
It takes more than just a wish if a person is to encounter a Buddha
and attain Nibbana, however. Sayagyi U Ba Khin taught his meditation
students that they must practise Sila, Samadhi, and Pañña
(virtue, concentration, and wisdom) as Buddha Gotama taught we should.
Sayagyi U Ba Khin made every effort to make sure that his own practice
and what he taught was consistent with what his teachers passed on to
him and with the Teachings of the Buddha in the Pali canon and
commentaries.
There are many pressures in the world today to modify the Teachings
of the Buddha. The Buddha foresaw that this would happen and warned his
disciples to be careful to maintain the practice just as he had taught
them. Ven. Maha-Kassapa convened the First Buddhist Council shortly
after the Buddha’s demise in order to rehearse the Teachings. The Sangha
has kept these Teachings intact over the centuries, and the Sixth
Buddhist Council, held in Burma in 1954–1956, was the most recent effort
to make sure the three collections of texts (Tipitaka) are kept pure.
Sayagyi U Ba Khin repeated the Burmese tradition that those who live
in accordance with these Teachings will meet Buddha Ariya Metteyya. It
is even believed that the coming Buddha’s power will be such that he
will be able to reach people who have lived up to the Teachings in this
life but who have done deeds in the past which lead to their being born
in lower realms before he comes. Some hints of this are found in Pali
texts which show the power of sharing merits.
Sayagyi also often repeated a saying of the Buddha’s found in Dhammapada verse 354: Sabbadanam dhammadanam jinati.
“The gift of the Dhamma surpasses all other gifts.” This, of course,
does not mean that we should not give material gifts. Sayagyi himself
was always very generous with gifts to the Sangha and others. But the
gift of the Dhamma can only be given while the Teachings of a Buddha are
available, and by laying emphasis on this quotation of the Buddha’s,
Sayagyi reminded us that we must never become so involved in material
considerations that we neglect the most important gift of all. (See also
paragraph 2, page 12 below. If we assume that Bodhisatta Metteyya’s
last human life before attaining Buddhahood is during a Buddha’s
Dispensation, he would be able to give the gift of the Dhamma, unlike
Vessantara, who lived outside such a period.)
May all make the right effort here and now in this life so that they will attain Nibbana!
Introduction to the Revised Edition
This new edition includes corrections and additions to the first two
editions. We wish to thank Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi was his suggestions
for this second revision of our text. Mother Sayamagyi and I were
pleased that the first revised edition of this text was included among
the publications marking the tenth anniversary of our coming out of
Burma to continue our work in teaching the Buddha-Dhamma in the
tradition of our esteemed teacher Sayagyi U Ba Khin. We hope that this
new edition in the Wheel series will make the text available to a larger audience.
Saya U Chit Tin
International Meditation Centre
Heddington, Calne, U.K.
October 12, 1992
The Bodhisatta Metteyya
Uttamo Metteyyo Ramo Pasenadi Kosalo ca
Abhibhu Dighasoni ca Candani ca Subo Todeyyabrahmano
Nalagiri Palaleyyo bodhisatta anukkamena
Sambodhim labhanti anagate.
(Buddha Gotama predicted as follows:)
In the future (ten) Bodhisattas will attain full awakening in the
following order: the most honourable (Ariya) Metteyya, (King) Rama,
(King) Pasenadi of Kosala, (the Deva) Abhibhu, (the Asura Deva)
Dighasoni, (the Brahman) Candani, (the young man) Subha, the Brahman
Todeyya, (the elephant) Nalagiri, and (the elephant) Palaleya. [11]
The most important aspiration for any individual is to aim for the
true liberation of attaining Nibbana. When a person is able to make this
resolve in the presence of a Teaching Buddha and get a sure prediction
from him, he or she becomes one who is intent on Awakening, a
Bodhisatta. [12] There are three types of Bodhisattas:
(1) those who aspire to become Awakened as a disciple of a Teaching Buddha:
(a) ordinary disciples (savaka),
(b) eighty leading disciples (maha-savaka), and
(c) two chief disciples (agga-savaka);
(2) those who aspire to become Awakened through their own efforts but who will not teach others the way to Awakening (pacceka-bodhisatta), and
(3) those who aspire to become Awakened through their own efforts and who will teach others the way to Awakening (maha-bodhisatta). [13]
In this paper, we will concentrate on the last type of Bodhisatta, with particular reference to the next Buddha, Metteyya. [14]
It is natural that interest in the coming Buddha has grown as the
years go by. When Buddha Gotama was available, most of the people’s
efforts went to practising his Teachings and attaining Awakening.
Immediately after his demise, his Teachings were collected, and, since
that time, great care has gone into maintaining their purity in order
that they may remain effective.
The number of those who attain Nibbana are less as time goes by, and
so people began to think more in terms of meeting the next Buddha and
achieving Awakening under him. [15]
It is important that the practice of the Buddha’s Teachings not be
neglected, however. It is not wishful thinking that enables us to
encounter a Buddha, but rather developing the ten perfections and
advancing as far as possible in the practice of a Buddha’s Teachings
whenever possible. This is particularly important today as the Buddha’s
Teachings are on the decline and it becomes easier and easier to go down
to the four lower planes of existence. If this should happen, it is
very unlikely that a person would meet the next Buddha.
A Teaching Buddha is the greatest of all beings, and the preparation for achieving this state of being a Supreme Awakened One (Sammasambuddha) takes longer than the preparation to attain Awakening as a disciple or a Pacceka-Buddha.
In the commentaries on the Pali canon, the preparation of a Maha-bodhisatta is given in detail. This Great Being (Mahasatta) will develop the ten perfections (parami)
longer and to a higher degree than the lesser types of Bodhisattas. A
person who becomes Awakened as an ordinary disciple of a Teaching Buddha
must work on the ten perfections for ten to one hundred thousand
aeons. [16]
Leading disciples must prepare one hundred thousand aeons. Chief
disciples work for one incalculable and one hundred thousand aeons. To
become a Pacceka Buddha requires two incalculable aeons. But a man
working to become a Teaching Buddha develops the perfections on three
levels, making thirty perfections in all. [17]
The three levels of perfections mean the sacrifice of external
possessions for the ordinary level, the sacrifice of any of one’s limbs
for the middle level, and the sacrifice of one’s life for the highest
level. [18]
Several other interpretations for the three levels are given, [19]
and some of these are of interest for meditators today. The three
levels can be understood to mean: (1) rejoicing in other people’s
merits, (2) encouraging other people to practise the Teachings, (3)
practising oneself. Or, they can be taken to mean that acquiring merit
and knowledge on the first level leads to life in happy states, on the
second level it leads to attaining Nibbana oneself, and on the third
level it leads to aiding others to attain both of these types of
happiness.
The Great Bodhisatta achieves the three levels of the perfection of giving (dana) by giving (1) his belongings, children, and wife; (2) his limbs; and (3) his life. He will not transgress virtue (sila) on account of these three. He fulfils renunciation (nekkhamma)
by giving up these three after cutting off all attachment to them. By
rooting out all craving for these three, he is able to discriminate
between what is beneficial or harmful to beings—thus perfecting wisdom (pañña). The three levels of energy (viriya) are reached by striving to relinquish these three. Through patience (khanti) he endures obstacles to his belongings, limbs, and life. He will not abandon truthfulness (sacca) on account of these three. His resolution (adhitthana) is unshakeable even if these three are destroyed. He maintains loving kindness (metta) towards others even though they destroy these three. He perfects equanimity (upekkha) by remaining neutral whether others are helpful or harmful to any of these three. [20]
Great Bodhisattas are of three types: [21] (1) those in whom wisdom (pañña) is predominant, (2) those in whom faith (saddha) is predominant, and (3) those in whom energy (viriya)
is predominant. For the first type, the preparation requires four
incalculable and one hundred thousand aeons. The second type works for
eight incalculable and one hundred thousand aeons. The Bodhisatta
Metteyya is the third type, those who work for sixteen incalculable and
one hundred thousand aeons. [22]
These three types are also explained as being due to the degree of the
quality of the energy they put forth, or again, as being determined by
the degree they develop the mental factors which bring emancipation to
maturity (vimuttiparipacaniya dhamma).
These three types of Great Bodhisattas are determined by how much
they have developed the perfections when they make the aspiration to
become a Teaching Buddha. At the time they aspire to become a Teaching
Buddha, they will already have prepared to attain final Nibbana,
Arahatship. [23] They will be at the point that they could become Arahats (1) through a condensed teaching of less than three lines (ugghatitaññu), (2) through an elaborated teaching of less than four lines (vipañcitaññu), or (3) through further training amounting to hearing four lines (neyya). According to the commentary on the Anagatavamsa, [24]
Those in whom faith is predominant, which was the case for the
Bodhisatta who became Buddha Gotama, would be able to understand a
condensed teaching of less than three lines. Those in whom faith is
predominant would understand a teaching of less than four lines. Those
in whom energy is predominant, as was the case for Bodhisatta Metteyya,
would understand on hearing four lines. This might seem to suggest that
the future Buddha Gotama was more advanced that the future Buddha
Metteyya when he made his resolve to become a Buddha. But the difference
may be related to the fact that a Bodhisatta for whom energy is
predominant develops the perfections four times as long as a Bodhisatta
for whom wisdom is predominant.
There are many conditions associated with making the resolve to become a Teaching Buddha. [25] The aspiration (abhinihara)
is: “Crossed over I would cause (others) to cross over, released I
would cause (others) to be released, tamed I would cause (others) to be
tamed, calmed I would cause (others) to be calmed, comforted I would
cause (others) to be comforted, completely quenched I would cause
(others) to be completely quenched, Awakened I would cause (others) to
be Awakened, purified I would cause (others) to be purified.”
There are eight qualifications for the man who is to become a Great Bodhisatta: [26]
- He must be a human being (manusatta), as this is the plane in
which Buddhas arise. This is the plane in which beings can have the
three root causes of being free of greed, hatred, and confusion. - He must be a male (lingasampatti), for only a man can become a Buddha.
- He must have achieved the necessary conditions supporting Buddhahood, in other words, the cause (hetu), which means that at the time of the aspiration he was prepared to attain Arahatship.
- He must see the Teacher (sattharadassana), as the aspiration
can only be successful if made in the presence of a living Buddha. Only a
Teaching Buddha can see the capability of the person making the
aspiration and what will work out in the future. - He must have gone forth (pabbajja) either as a bhikkhu or as
an ascetic who believes in the doctrines of volitional actions and the
moral effectiveness of action. - He must have achieved the noble qualities (gunasampatti)
which come with highly developed control over the mind. Only then will
he be able to investigate the ten perfections that he will need to
develop. - He must possess great dedication (adhikara). He will be so devoted he would give his life for a Buddha.
- And he must have a strong desire (chandata), a wholesome desire, if he is to develop the mental factors which make for Buddhahood.
The aspiration has one of four conditions (paccaya): the man
is inspired because (1) he sees a Teaching Buddha, or (2) he hears of
the great power of a Teaching Buddha, or (3) he hears the Doctrine of a
Teaching Buddha being taught and the powers of a Buddha explained, or
(4) he is a man of lofty temperament and noble disposition. Bodhisatta
Metteyya comes under the second condition, as we shall see.
The aspiration has four causes (hetu):
The Great Bodhisatta has already fulfilled his duties under former Buddhas and acquired the supporting conditions (upanissaya)
for fulfilling his task. These supporting conditions create a clear
distinction between the Great Bodhisatta and the beings intent on
becoming Awakened as disciples or Pacceka Buddhas. Great Bodhisattas are
endowed with lucid faculties and lucid knowledge, while the others do
not. He practises for the welfare and happiness of many, out of
compassion for the world, for the good, welfare, and happiness of Devas
and men. The others practise mainly for their own welfare. He applies
skilfulness to his practise through his ability to create opportunities
to benefit others and through his skill in distinguishing what is and
what is not possible.
- He is by nature compassionate, ready to give his own body and life to alleviate the suffering of others.
- He is willing to struggle and strive for a long time, despite the great hardships he will encounter.
- He relies on good friends who restrain him from evil and establish him in what is good.
Finally, the aspiration is based on four powers (Bala): (1) internal power (ajjhattika-bala), (2) external power (bahira-bala), (3) the power of the supporting conditions (upanissaya-bala), and (4) the power of effort (payoga-bala).
The internal power is the longing or undeviating inclination for
supreme Awakening based on his personal ideals and reverence for the
Dhamma. The external power is this same longing based on consideration
of others. Through developing the supporting conditions, he has the
power of this longing. And the power of effort means he is endowed with
the appropriate effort for attaining supreme Awakening. His effort will
be thorough and he will persevere in his work.
The Great Bodhisattas are confirmed in their aspiration by many Buddhas. A sixteenth-century Pali text from Thailand [27]
says that Bodhisatta Metteyya received his prediction of future
Buddhahood from Buddha Mahutta. This would presumably be the first
prediction for him. This text also gives details of the period during
which the Bodhisatta who became Buddha Gotama made a mental resolve to
become a Teaching Buddha. This is shown to be his preparation for the
life in which he received his first sure prediction. Bodhisatta Metteyya
is mentioned as being associated with him in two of these lives: as his
leading disciple when he was a religious teacher [28] and as his chaplain (named Sirigutta) when he was King Atideva. [29]
The story of one occasion when Bodhisatta Metteyya made an aspiration
and when the perfection which is strongest for him is illustrated is
told in Pali texts which were written down after the compilation of the
canon. [30]
The story of Bodhisatta Metteyya’s aspiration was told to the leading
disciple Ven. Sariputta when he was residing near Savatthi in the
Pubbarama, the monastery offered by the laywoman Visakha.
Long ago, Bodhisatta Metteyya was the Wheel-turning Monarch Sankha in
the city of Indapatta in the Kuru country. This large city resembled a
city of the Devas. Wheel-turning Monarchs reign over the whole earth and
have seven great treasures: a great wheel, an elephant, horse, gem,
wife, householder, and adviser. Sankha lived in a seven-storey palace
made of the seven kinds of gems. This palace rose up out of the earth
through the power of his merit. Sankha led others to follow the path
leading to rebirth in the higher planes of existence, and he
administered justice with impartiality.
After Sankha became a Wheel-turning Monarch, there arose the Buddha Sirimata. [31] Whenever a Bodhisatta is to be born in his last life, there is a Buddha proclamation a thousand years before. [32]
Brahmas of the Pure Abodes (Suddhavasa) travel throughout the world of
men and proclaim: “A thousand years from now, a Buddha will arise in the
world.” King Sankha must have heard of this proclamation, for one day,
as he sat on his golden throne under the royal white umbrella, he said,
“A long time ago there was a proclamation that a Buddha would be born. I
will turn over the place of Wheel-turning Monarch to whoever knows of
the Triple Gem, to whoever points out to me the gems of the Buddha, the
Dhamma, and the Sangha, as well as the Dispensation. I will go to see
the Supreme Buddha.” Buddha Sirimata was residing at that time only
sixteen leagues from Sankha’s capital city. Among the samaneras
(novices) in the Sangha, there was a boy who came from a poor family.
His mother was a slave, so the samanera went to the city to seek wealth
in order to set his mother free. When the people saw him, they thought
he was a Yakkha, or ogre, so they threw sticks at him. Afraid, he went
to the palace and stood before the king. “Who are you, young man?” the
king asked.
“I am called a samanera, O great king,” the samanera answered.
“Why do you call yourself a samanera?”
“Because, O great king, I do no evil, I have established myself in
moral conduct, and thus I lead the holy life. Therefore I am called a
samanera.”
“Who gave you that name?”
“My teacher, O great king.”
“What is your teacher called, young man?”
“My teacher is called a bhikkhu, O great king.”
“Who gave your teacher the name ’bhikkhu,’ young man?”
“O great king, my teacher’s name was given by the priceless gem of the Sangha.”
Full of joy, King Sankha rose from his throne and prostrated himself
at the feet of the samanera. And he asked, “Who gave the name to the
Sangha?” “O great king, the Noble Supreme Buddha Sirimata gave the name
to the Sangha.” Hearing the word “Buddha,” which is so difficult to hear
in many hundreds of thousands of aeons, King Sankha fainted from joy.
When he regained consciousness, he asked, “Venerable sir, where does the
Noble Supreme Buddha Sirimata reside at present?”
And the samanera told him the Buddha was in a monastery called
Pubbarama, sixteen leagues away. King Sankha turned over the power of
Wheel-turning Monarch to the samanera. He gave up his kingdom and a
great number of relatives. Filled with joy at the thought of seeing the
Buddha, he started walking to the north towards the Pubbarama. The first
day, the soles of his feet split open, for they were very tender due to
his luxurious upbringing. On the second day, his feet began to bleed.
He was unable to walk on the third day, so he went on his hands and
knees. On the fourth day, his hands and feet bled, so he determined to
continue on his chest. The joy of the possibility of seeing the Buddha
enabled him to overcome his great suffering and pain.
Buddha Sirimata surveyed the world with his All-knowing Knowledge and seeing the power of the effort (viriya-bala) of the king, the Buddha thought, “This Wheel-turning Monarch Sankha is surely a seed, a Buddha-sprout (Buddankura-bijo).
He undertakes great pain because of me. Indeed, I should go to him.” By
his psychic powers, the Buddha hid his great splendour and went
disguised as a young man in a chariot. He went to where Sankha was and
blocked his path in order to test the power of his effort.
“You there!” Buddha Sirimata said to King Sankha, “go back on your
chest! I am going down this road in my chariot.” But King Sankha
refused, saying he was on his way to see the Buddha. The Buddha in
disguise invited the king to get into his chariot, saying that is where
he was going. On the way, the Deva maiden Sujata came down from the
Tavatimsa heaven, and taking the form of a young girl, offered food. The
Buddha had it given to Sankha. Then Sakka, in the form of a young man,
came down from the Tavatimsa heaven and gave water. As a result of the
divine food and water, all King Sankha’s ailments disappeared.
When they arrived at Pubbarama, the Buddha sat on his seat in the
monastery, assuming his true appearance with the rays of six colours
shining forth. When the king went in and saw the Buddha, he again lost
consciousness. After a while, he came to himself, approached the Buddha,
and paid his respects.
“Venerable sir,” he requested, “protector of the world, refuge of the
world, teach me one (point of the) doctrine which may calm me when I
have heard it.” “Very well,” the Buddha said, “listen.” The Buddha
reviewed the Doctrine of Nibbana and taught the king a discourse
concerning Nibbana. This aroused reverence for the Doctrine in the king,
but after hearing only a little of the Doctrine, he requested the
Buddha, “Please stop, Blessed One. Do not teach me any more.” He said
this because he thought to himself that he would not have a gift worthy
of what the Buddha taught him if he heard any more.
“Indeed, venerable sir,” the king said, “of all the doctrines taught,
the Blessed One has pointed out Nibbana, which is the highest. So, of
all the parts of my body, I will pay homage to your Doctrine with my
head.” He began to sever his neck with his fingernails and said,
“Venerable Buddha Sirimata, you go [33]
to the deathless first; through the gift of my head, I will afterwards
go to Nibbana. Having said just these few words, I pay homage to the
doctrine of Nibbana. Now, may this be the means for (my attaining)
omniscience.” And saying this, he finished severing his head with his
fingernails.
King Sankha’s predominant characteristic was his great energy (viriya).
This is shown through his overcoming the difficulties in going to see
Buddha Sirimata. His effort was so strong, the Buddha realised that he
was a Great Bodhisatta. Other perfections are also illustrated in this
story. He gives away his position of Wheel-turning Monarch. Even before
hearing of the Buddha, he set the example of leading a moral life
leading to higher rebirths. As a just king, he would show his wisdom,
patience, truthfulness, loving kindness, and equanimity. Once he hears
of the Buddha, he renounces his kingdom and family, giving up the
highest position that can be attained by a human being. And great
resolution worked together with his energy.
The final action of King Sankha is the gift of his head to the
Buddha. This may seem strange, but it is explained in the text by the
fact that the Buddha had taught him one aspect of the Doctrine
concerning Nibbana, the highest goal. King Sankha cannot find any other
gift worthy of Nibbana, so he resolves to offer his own head. In the
Pali commentaries, [34]
23 it is said that only giving their own limbs or their life makes
Great Bodhisattas exalt when they give. Joy arises when they give such
gifts and they experience no contrariety of mind. So we can see that
such gifts are beyond ordinary people, and we need not feel that we
should make such sacrifices ourselves.
During the time of Buddha Gotama, the Great Bodhisatta who is to be the next Buddha was a bhikkhu named Ajita. [35] According to the commentary on the Anagatavamsa, Ajita was the son of King Ajatasattu and Queen Kancanadevi. [36]
Prince Ajita had five hundred attendants, and when he reached the age
of sixteen, the king asked his son to inherit the Buddha’s heritage. The
Prince agreed, so the king took him to the Veluvana Monastery in great
pomp and splendour along with his five hundred attendants. Prince Ajita
was ordained as a novice, and because of his serenity, calmness, and
wisdom he was much respected. Later he was ordained as a bhikkhu. The
Buddha took him when he went from Rajagaha to Kapilavatthu to reside in
the Nirodharama Monastery.
While they were residing at that monastery, Maha-Pajapati-Gotami came
one day with two special cloths to be presented to the Buddha for use
as robes. She had planted the cotton seeds herself and did all the
necessary work up to the time the robes were finished. The account of
the gift of the cloths is found in the Majjhima-nikaya. [37]
There, the Buddha refused three times to accept the robes offered by
Maha-Pajapati-Gotami and suggested that she offer them to the Sangha
with the Buddha at its head. Ven. Ananda approached the Buddha,
suggesting he should accept the cloths. The Buddha then gave the
discourse on the analysis of offerings.
No other details are given in the Pali canon or Ashin Buddhaghosa’s commentary on this discourse. In the commentary on the Anagatavamsa,
it is said that the Buddha accepted one robe for himself and instructed
his step-mother to offer the second one to the Sangha. But not one of
the eighty leading disciples came forward to accept that robe.
Eventually, Ven. Ajita thought to himself that the Buddha had told his
step-mother to give the robe to the Sangha for her benefit, so he
bravely got up like a king of the lions in the midst of the Sangha and
accepted the robe. There was some disappointment and much talk about how
an unknown bhikkhu could accept the robe when none of the leading
disciples had taken it. Realising the situation and in order to dispel
any doubts, the Buddha said, “Do not say this bhikkhu is an ordinary
bhikkhu. He is a Bodhisatta who will be the coming Buddha Metteyya.”
Then the Buddha took the bowl that had been given to him shortly after
his Awakening by the world’s four Guardian Devas and threw it into the
air. None of the eighty leading disciples could retrieve it, but Ven.
Ajita understood that the Buddha intended for him to show his psychic
powers, so he brought back the bowl. Then Ven. Ajita took the cloth he
had accepted and put it in the Buddha’s Perfumed Chamber as a canopy
under the ceiling, making the aspiration that this act of generosity
might result in his having a canopy made of seven gems and with hangings
made of gold, silver, coral, and pearls measuring twelve leagues when
he becomes a Buddha. [38]
The Buddha smiled after this and Ven. Ananda asked why he had smiled.
The Buddha replied, “Ananda, the bhikkhu Ajita will become the Buddha
Ariya Metteyya in this Auspicious Aeon.” Then he remained silent,
enjoying the fruits of Arahatship. The first chief disciple, Ven.
Sariputta, who knew the assembled bhikkhus wished to hear more
information, requested the Buddha give a discourse about the coming
Buddha. And the Buddha gave the account in the Anagatavamsa.
The prediction concerning Metteyya is found in the Pali canon, [39]
but the details concerning the future Buddha will be given in a
separate talk. The Dasavatthu goes on to say that from the time of the
sure prediction, the Bodhisatta taught a large number of bhikkhus,
explaining the whole canon and causing them to increase in insight and
to attain the knowledge of adaptable patience. At the end of that life,
he was reborn in a Deva world. But there is a reference to at least one
other human life as he should have a life in which he is generous in the
way the Bodhisatta Vessantara was. [40]
After that life, he should be reborn in the Tusita Deva world, where
all Great Bodhisattas reside before their final birth. According to the
Culavamsa, the Bodhisatta would have other human births. [41]
When Ashin Buddhaghosa went from India to Ceylon to consult the
commentaries on the Pali canon, he was given two verses to comment on as
a test. The result was the Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification).
The Devas, in order to convince the people of his greatness, hid the
text twice so that Ashin Buddhaghosa had to copy it twice. When the
copies were compared with the original, no deviations were found. The
Sangha then exclaimed, “Without a doubt this is Metteyya!” The Visuddhimagga
is especially important for those practising the Buddha’s Teachings.
Sayagyi U Ba Khin considered this work the most important single work
explaining true Buddhist meditation. In another Pali text that is not
part of the canon, there is a description of Metteyya in the Tusita
world. [42]
He is said to go to the Culamani shrine in the Tavatimsa Deva world to
pay respects to the hair cut off by the Bodhisatta Siddhattha when he
made the great renunciation and to relics brought there by the Deva king
Sakka after the death of Buddha Gotama. The Bodhisatta Metteyya is
described as being surrounded by a host of Devas and Devis. Four Devi
maidens in particular are described as having beautiful complexions,
halos, ornaments, and clothes, one of a shining colour, one red, one
dark gold, and the fourth, golden. The main point of this text is that
beings who wish to encounter the coming Buddha and attain Awakening
under him should act accordingly. Bhikkhus should not create a schism in
the Sangha. The five heinous actions which inevitably lead to rebirth
in the lower worlds should be avoided. In addition to not creating a
schism, these include not killing one’s father, one’s mother, or an
Arahat. The fifth point, not drawing the blood of a Buddha, of course,
is no longer possible. Other actions to be avoided are destroying
pagodas (thupas) or breaking Bodhi trees. Bodhisattas should not
be killed. One should not be stingy or tell lies. In one of the texts
about Buddha Gotama’s description of the ten future Buddhas, [43]
the following positive actions are said to be necessary if those who
encounter this Buddha Dispensation wish to meet Buddha Metteyya: they
must give gifts (dana), observe morality (sila), and develop mental control—that is to say, meditation (bhavana).
Those of us today who are practising the Teachings of the Buddha
should try to advance as far as possible. Some people may be able to
become Ariyas here and now. People who have not developed the
perfections required for such attainments or who have made an aspiration
under a former Buddha to meet Buddha Metteyya will need to make a
maximum effort in order not to miss this opportunity or in order to gain
the maximum benefits. We should not just assume that we are meant to
defer Awakening until we meet the next Buddha. Ashin Buddhaghosa gives
the example of Elder Maha-Sangharakkhita who needed a reminder in order
not to miss his opportunity to attain Arahatship, for he had mistakenly
thought he should wait until the next Buddha. [44]
Meditators who become Ariyas aside from Arahats may eventually go to
the Brahma worlds of the Pure Abodes (Suddhavasa), and there they may
live long enough to meet the coming Buddha. [45] So we should all make our best effort in this life.
Buddha Ariya Metteyya
Atta-dipa bhikkhave viharatha atta-sarana anañña-sarana dhamma-dipa dhamma-sarana anañña-sarana.
Kathañ ca bhikkhave bhikkhu atta-dipo viharati atta-sarano anañña-Sarano, dhamma-dipo dhamma-sarano anañña-sarano?
Idha bhikkhave bhikkhu kaye kayanu-passi viharati atapi
sampajano satima, vineyya-loke abhijjha-domanassam, veda-nasu … cittesu …
dhammesu dhammanu-passi viharati, atapi sampajano satima, vineyya loke
abhijjha-domanassam. Evam kho bhikkhave bhikkhu atta-dipo viharati
atta-sarano ananñña-sarano, dhamma-dipo dhamma-sarano anañña-sarano.
Dwell, bhikkhus, with yourselves as an island, with yourselves as a
refuge, with no one else as a refuge; with the Doctrine as an island,
with the Doctrine as a refuge, with no other [doctrine] as a refuge.And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu dwell with himself as an island,
with himself as a refuge, with no one else as a refuge; with the
Doctrine as an island, with the Doctrine as a refuge, with no other
[doctrine] as a refuge?Here (in this Teaching), bhikkhus, a bhikkhu lives, contemplating the
body in the body, contemplating the sensations in the sensations,
contemplating the consciousness in the consciousness, contemplating
mental objects in mental objects, ardent, attentive, mindful, having
removed covetousness and discontent with regards to the world. Thus,
bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu dwell with himself as an island, with himself
as a refuge, with no one else as a refuge; with the Doctrine as a
refuge, with no other [doctrine] as a refuge.
Digha-nikaya III 58, 77
This quotation begins the discourse in which the Buddha describes the coming of the next Buddha, Metteyya. [46]
The Buddha first describes the ideal conditions that existed on earth
long ago when there were a succession of seven Wheel-turning Monarchs.
Eventually, there was a king who neglected to provide for the poor. As a
consequence, theft arose in the world. Gradually, people became more
and more immoral and killed others. Because of this, their life span
declined from eighty thousand years to forty thousand years. Then people
began to tell lies, and the human life span declined to twenty thousand
years. Next, malicious speech became prevalent, and the life span
decreased to ten thousand years. Then sexual misconduct became
prevalent, with the result that people lived for five thousand years.
Harsh speech and frivolous talk became prevalent, and people lived for
two and a half thousand years and two thousand years. With the advent of
covetousness and ill will, the life span declined to one thousand
years. When people began to entertain wrong beliefs, their life span
decreased to five hundred years. Then three things became rampant:
incest, unnatural greed, and homosexuality. [47]
As a result, the human life span decreased to two hundred and fifty
years and two hundred years. Then there was a lack of filial duty
towards parents, failure to fulfil duties towards religious leaders (samanas and brahmanas),
and failure to respect community leaders; and the life span decreased
to one hundred years. This was the human life span at the time of Buddha
Gotama. When the life span is shorter than a hundred years, there can
be no Buddha in the world. [48]
The Buddha explained that immorality will continue to increase and
the human life span will continue to decrease until it is only ten
years. Girls will be married at five years of age. At that time, people
who have no respect for their parents, for religious leaders, or for
community leaders will be honoured and praised. Promiscuity will be so
common, human beings will be like animals. Animosity, ill will, and
hatred will be so strong, people will want to kill the members of their
own family. There will be a seven-day war with great slaughter. But some
people will hide for the seven days, and afterwards they will rejoice
to see those who have survived. They will determine to stop killing, and
their life spans will increase to twenty years. Seeing this, they will
undertake to keep other moral precepts, and gradually the human life
span will increase again.
The Duration of the Sasana of Buddha Gotama
During the period from the time of Buddha Gotama to the minimum life span, the Buddha’s Dispensation (Buddha-sasana)
will disappear. When the Buddha agreed to create the Bhikkhuni Sangha,
he told Ven. Ananda that the Sasana would last only half as long because
of this. Instead of lasting one thousand years, it would last five
hundred years. The commentary on the Abhidhamma text, Dhammasangani,
says that when the First Buddhist Council convened by Ven. Maha-Kassapa
rehearsed the Pali Canon, this made it possible for the Sasana to endure
for five thousand years. [49]
The commentaries on the Vinaya Pitaka [50] and the Anguttara-nikaya [51]
say that the eight important rules which the Buddha gave to the
Bhikkhuni Sangha will make his Teachings last for five thousand years
rather than five hundred. There will be one thousand years for Arahats
who attain analytical insight, one thousand years for Arahats without
those attainments, one thousand years for Non-returners, one thousand
years for Once-returners, and one thousand years for Stream-winners.
After these five thousand years of penetration of the true Doctrine (pativedha-sadhamma), [52]
the accomplishment in the texts (pariyatti-dhamma) will remain. After
the accomplishment in the texts disappears, the signs (linga) will
continue for a long time
In the commentary to the Theragatha [53] the Sasana is said to consist of five periods: (1) the age of deliverance (vimutti-yuga), (2) the age of concentration (samadhi-yuga), (3) the age of morality (sila-yuga), (4) the age of learning [the texts] (suta-yuga), and (5) the age of generosity (dana-yuga).
Ven. Dhammapala says, concerning the disappearance of learning, “In a
region where there is no purity of morality, accomplishment (in the
texts) remains through taking up great learning, through the desire to
acquire, etc. But when accomplishment in the summary [i.e., the
Patimokkha] is completely ended, it disappears. From that time on, only
the mere sign (linga) remains. Then, having accumulated riches in various ways, they give away gifts (dana); this, truly, is the last right practice. Then, [the period starting] after the disappearance of learning is the last time (pacchima-kala).
Others say that it is from the time of the disappearance of morality.”
According to the tradition in Burma, the Sasana will last five thousand
years. The five periods will occur twice. The first half of the Sasana
has just passed, with each of the five periods lasting five hundred
years. We are now in the second half, when these periods will be
repeated, each lasting for another five hundred years.
In the Anagatavamsa commentary, the Buddha is said to preface
the account of the future Buddha Ariya Metteyya by saying his own
dispensation will disappear in five stages: (1) the disappearance of
analytical insight (patisambhida), (2) the disappearance of the Paths and Fruition States, (3) the disappearance of the practice (patipatti), (4) the disappearance of the texts (pariyatti), and (5) the disappearance of the Sangha.
Other commentaries also speak in terms of five stages of disappearance (antaradhana) of the Sasana: [54] (1) First, there will be the disappearance of attainment (adhigama), which would correspond to the age of deliverance. (2) The second disappearance is of the practice (patipatti), which corresponds to the ages of concentration and morality. (3) The disappearance of accomplishment in the texts (pariyatti) is third and corresponds to the age of learning. (4) The fourth disappearance is of the signs (linga).
During this period, the only good action left is making gifts to those
who wear a yellow strip of cloth around their necks, so this would
correspond to the age of generosity. When this disappearance occurs,
five thousand years will have passed. [55] After this period there occurs (5) the disappearance of the relics (dhatu).
When the relics no longer receive honour, they will assemble at the
seat where the Buddha attained Awakening under the Great Bodhi tree.
There, they will make an effigy of the Buddha and perform a marvel
similar to the Twin Marvel and will teach the Doctrine. No human being
will be present, only Devas from the ten thousand world systems will
listen, and many of them will attain release. After that, the relics
will be burned up without remainder. [56]
The Coming of Buddha Ariya Metteyya
In the discourse with which we began, the Buddha goes on to describe
how morality among human beings grows stronger and stronger. As a
result, their life span grows longer until it reaches eighty thousand
years, [57]
and at that time, Buddha Metteyya will come. Ashin Buddhaghosa explains
that the life span increases to an incalculable number of years (Asankheyya) and then begins to decrease again until it reaches 80,000 years, for Buddhas arise only when the life span is decreasing. [58]
A tradition in Burma says that Buddha Metteyya will live for 80,000
years and that the human life span will be 100,000 years, just as Buddha
Gotama lived for eighty years when the human life span was one hundred
years. No definite number of years is given for the period between
Buddha Gotama and Buddha Metteyya. The Anagatavamsa (verse 5) says Buddha Metteyya will arise ten million years later (vassa-kotiye), but the commentary [59] says this means after many hundreds of thousands times ten million years. [60]
This aeon (kappa) is an Auspicious Aeon (bhaddha-kappa),
which means that the maximum number of five Buddhas will arise in the
same aeon. Some aeons are empty ones, meaning no Buddhas arise. In other
types of aeons, one to four Buddhas arise. Buddha Gotama was the fourth
Buddha in this Auspicious Aeon, so Metteyya will be the last Buddha in
it. The commentary to the Buddhavamsa says that an Auspicious Aeon is
very difficult to encounter. Those who are born in such aeons are
usually rich in goodness and happiness. They usually have the three root
conditions (of non-greed, non-hatred, and non-confusion) and destroy
the defilements. Those with the two root conditions (of non-greed and
non-hatred) are usually reborn in good planes of existence, and those
with no root condition acquire one. [61] In another commentary, [62]
it is said that during the time of Buddha Metteyya, the group of
sensual pleasures will have little initial power (to distract).
The Birth of the Next Buddha
Many details concerning the coming Buddha can be assembled by combining Buddha Gotama’s prediction in the Digha-nikaya, [63] the Anagatavamsa, [64] the two versions of The Ten Bodhisattas, [65] and the Dasavatthuppakarana. [66] Further details can be added from the description by Buddha Gotama of the past Buddha Vipassi, [67] Ven. Ananda’s praise of the Buddha, [68] and the commentary on The Chronicle of Buddhas. [69]
Before his last rebirth, which is in the human world, each Bodhisatta
resides in the Tusita Deva world. He is mindful and aware when he is
reborn there and while he lives there. He lives there as long as his
life span lasts. One thousand years before he is to be reborn as a human
and become a Buddha, Devas or Brahmas go to the world of men and
announce that a Buddha will arise. This is a Buddha tumult. [70]
When the time is right, he descends into his mother’s womb, [71]
mindful and aware. He is aware it is his last existence. At that time,
there is an illimitable, splendid radiance throughout the universe. His
mother is protected by four Devas during the gestation period. His
mother does not break the five precepts during her pregnancy, and she is
not attracted to any man. The mother is surrounded by all the pleasures
of the five senses. She suffers from no illness, and she can see the
Bodhisatta in her womb. He is seated cross-legged in the womb facing
outward.
His mother gives birth in a standing position and in a forest. The
Bodhisatta Metteyya will be born in the deer park at Isipatana. [72]
The feet of the baby are placed in a golden cloth. He is received first
by Devas and afterwards by men. Before his feet touch the ground, four
Devas present him to his mother, saying, “Rejoice, lady, for mighty is
the son that is born to you.” He comes forth without any stain. Two
showers of cool and warm water fall from the sky to bathe the mother and
the Bodhisatta. He takes seven steps to the north, surveys the four
quarters, and pronounces the lion’s roar that he is supreme in the
world. When he is born, an illimitable, splendid radiance is seen
throughout the universe. Seven days after the birth of the Bodhisatta,
his mother dies and is reborn in the Tusita Deva world. [73]
When Bodhisatta Metteyya is reborn in the human world, life on earth
will be like life in a Deva world. Women will marry at the age of five
hundred. There will only be three diseases: desire (to eat) (iccha), sluggishness after eating (anasana), and old age (jara). [74]
India will have Ketumati (present-day Baranasi) as its capital city. In
addition, there will be 84,000 cities with 90,000 crores of princes. [75] India [76]
will extend for 100,000 leagues. It will be without thorns, clear, with
green grass. There will be grass which is four inches high and soft as
cotton. The climate will always be good. The rains will be even, and the
winds will be neither too hot nor too cold. The rivers and ponds will
not lack water. There will be white sand that is not rough, the size of
peas and beans. The country will be like an adorned garden. The villages
will be close together, full of people, without interval.
The people will be tranquil, safe, and free from danger. They will be
happy and joyful, enjoying festivals. They will have plenty to eat and
drink. India will be delightful, like Alakamanda, the capital city of
the Kurus. The capital city of lndia, [77] Ketumati, will be twelve leagues long and seven leagues wide. [78]
The city will have beautiful lotus ponds, full of water that is
fragrant, clear, clean, cool, and sweet. The ponds will be accessible to
people at all times. There will be seven rows of palm trees and walls
of seven colours, made of jewels, will surround the city.
In squares at the gates of the city, there will be shining wishing trees: one blue, one yellow, one red, and one white. [79] Divine adornments and ornaments as well as all sorts of wealth and possessions will be hanging on the trees.
The Wheel-turning Monarch Sankha
At this time, there will be a Wheel-turning Monarch named Sankha. [80]
In a past life, he and his father had made a hut for a Pacceka Buddha.
They had him stay there for the three months of the rains retreat and
then gave him three robes. In the same way, they had seven Pacceka
Buddhas stay in the hut. The father and son [81]
were reborn in the Tavatimsa Deva world, and Sakka requested that the
father be reborn in the human world as Prince Maha-Panada. The architect
for the Devas, Vissakamma, built a palace for Maha-Panada. During the
time of Buddha Gotama, Maha-Panada was the Elder Bhaddaji, who, on one
occasion, raised up the Maha-Panada palace from the bottom of the
Ganges. The palace still waits there for the future Sanka, who was the
son that gave to the Pacceka Buddhas in the past. [82]
When Sankha becomes the Wheel-turning Monarch, he will raise up the
Maha-Panada palace which will serve as his palace in the centre of
Ketumati. The palace is described as resplendent with many jewels, so
bright it is hard to look at. [83]
And he will possess the seven treasures of a Wheel-turning Monarch: the
wheel, elephant, horse, gem, wife, householder, and adviser. [84]
Through the merit of Sankha, there will be a square in the middle of
the city with four halls facing the four directions with wishing trees.
Hanging from the trees there will be all sorts of fine garments, drums,
and jewellery.
Through the merit of the people at that time, there will be rice that
grows without being cultivated. It will be pure, sweet-smelling, and
the grains will be ready-husked. The residents of Ketumati will have
whatever they want. They will be very rich. They will wake up to the
sound of drums and lutes. They will be exceedingly happy in both body
and mind. [85]
King Sankha’s palace will have 84,000 dancing girls. [86] He will have one thousand sons, valiant, of heroic forms, crushing enemy armies. [87] The eldest son [88]
will be the king’s adviser. The king will conquer the sea-girt land (of
India) without violence, without a sword, but rather by righteousness.
The Career of Bodhisatta Metteyya
The Bodhisatta will be the son of the Wheel-turning Monarch’s head priest, Subrahma, and his wife, Brahmavati. [89]
He will be named Ajita, and he will bear the thirty-two marks and
eighty minor marks that are common to Buddhas and Wheel-turning
Monarchs. [90] He will lead the household life for eight thousand years. He will have four palaces named: [91] Sirivaddha, Vaddhamana, Siddhattha, and Candaka. He will have 100,000 dancing girls. [92] His wife will be Candamukhi [93] and his son will be named Brahmavaddhana.
Bodhisattas decide to give up household life after they have seen the
four signs (an old man, a sick man, a dead man, and a contented man who
has gone forth from lay life) and after a son is born to them. They put
on the yellow robe and engage in striving. The Bodhisatta Metteyya will
go forth in one of his palaces. Accompanied by his followers, he will
fly through the air in the palace and go to the Naga tree, which will be
his Bodhi tree. He will engage in striving for seven days, which is the
minimum period.
There is a detailed account of these events in the Dasabodhisatta-uddesa: [94]
At the age of eight thousand years, the Bodhisatta will mount a
chariot that resembles a glorious celestial palace and when going to the
royal park, he will see the four signs. They will produce the knowledge
of a sense of urgency. And he will long for the state of going forth.
Then he will return and go up to his palace. His mind will be bent on
the state of going forth. At that moment, that jewel palace will fly up
by a path in the sky, and he will leap up into the sky, like the king of
the golden water fowl, together with his followers.
Then the Devas of the ten thousand world systems will take flowers
and honour him. The eighty-four thousand kings (of India), the people
from the cities and from the countryside will honour him with perfume
and flowers. The king of the Asuras will guard the palace. The king of
the Nagas will take (him) a precious gem, the king of the Supannas will
take (him) a jewel necklace, the king of Gandhabbas will honour him with
musical instruments and dancers. The Wheel-turning Monarch, together
with his consorts and followers, will go to the Bodhisatta.
By the power of the king and the power of the Great Being, all that
crowd will be established in the state of going forth, and the people
will rise into the sky with him and go [to the Bodhi tree]. Then, the
Maha-Brahma will take a sixty-league parasol and hold it [over them].
The Deva king Sakka will blow the Vijayuttara [95]
conch shell. [The king of the Yama Devas,] Suyama, will take a yak’s
tail fan and honour him. [The king of the Tusita Devas,] Santusita, will
hold a jewel fan. [The Gandhabba Deva,] Pañcasikha, will take his
celestial lute Velupanda, [96]
and play it. The [four Great Deva] Kings, swords in hand, will surround
them on all four sides. All those Devas, all those people and
Gandhabbas, all those Yakkhas, Nagas, and Supannas, surrounding him in
front, in back, and on both sides, will go with him. Surrounded by that
crowd of Devas, women, etc., of great splendour and beauty, he [the
Bodhisatta] will rise into the sky, [and then] descend near the Terrace
of Awakening. At that moment, the Maha-Brahma will take the eight
requisites [of an ascetic] created by his psychic powers and offer them
to him. Then the Great Being will cut off the topknot of hair [on his
head] and throw it up in the sky. He will take the eight requisites from
the hands of the [Maha-]Brahma and go forth. For seven days he will
make the Great Effort. And all that great crowd [of people] will follow
the [example] of the Great Being in going forth.
The Naga tree where the Bodhisatta will be Awakened is described [97] as being 120 cubits high with four (main) branches 120 or 130 cubits long. There will be 2,000 (minor) branches. [98]
The tips of the branches will be bent, (constantly) moving, and will be
continually in bloom with blossoms as big as wheels. They will have a
heavenly smell, full of pollen. [99]
The perfume will spread around for ten leagues, both with and against
the wind. The leaves will be a deep green in all seasons and the flowers
will scatter on the people all around.
The AnagatavamsaF [100]
describes the people who go forth with the Buddha, including the names
of the most important people among them: He will be accompanied by a
large group of people, including friends, ministers, and members of his
family. There will be a fourfold army and an assembly of the four castes
to go forth with him. There will be 84,000 princesses and 84,000
Brahmas who are skilled in the Vedas. Among the 84,000 there will be the
brothers Isidatta and Purana; the twins of unlimited wisdom, Jatimitta
and Vijaya; the householder Suddhika and the female disciple Suddhana;
the male disciple Sankha and the female disciple Sankha, [101]
the householder Saddara and the famous man Sudatta; and the husband and
wife Visakha and Yasavati. Many other citizens and people from the
countryside of various social rank will go forth.
The spot on which the Bodhisattas attain Awakening is one of the four
fixed places, so Metteyya will make his final bid for liberation on the
same spot as all the past Buddhas—the present-day Bodha-gaya. On the
day they attain Self-Awakening, Bodhisattas have a meal of milk-rice.
They are seated on a spreading of grass. They use mindfulness of
breathing as their preparation for developing insight and shatter the
forces of Mara. They attain the three knowledges and the special
qualities not shared by others, etc., while still seated in the
cross-legged position. And they spend seven weeks near the Tree of
Awakening after becoming Self-Awakened. The Anagatavamsa commentary says that from the time he becomes Awakened, Ariya Metteyya will be known as the King of the Buddhas (Buddharaja).
Then the Maha-Brahma will request that Buddha Metteyya teach others the path to Nibbana.
Buddha Metteyya will preach his first discourse, the Setting in
Motion of the Wheel of the Doctrine, in Nagavana (“The Elephant
Grove”). [102] The park is said to be in Isipatana near the city of Ketumati. [103]
He will be surrounded by an assembly extending one hundred leagues. A
great many Devas will approach him at that time, and he will set free
one hundred crores from their bondage. [104] This will be the first occasion when a great number of beings attain penetration (Abhisamaya) into the Four Noble Truths. [105]
Then King Sankha will give his jewel palace to the Sangha with the
Buddha at its head, and he will make a great donation to the poor, the
needy, and beggars. Accompanied by his wife and 90,000 crores of people,
the king will approach the Buddha. And all that 90,000 crores of people
will be ordained with the words ’Come, bhikkhu’ (ehi bhikkhu). [106] This will be the second penetration.
After that, the third penetration of 80,000 crores will take place
when Devas and men approach the Buddha with a question concerning
Arahatship.
There will be three assemblies (Sannipata) of Arahats. [107]
The first will include 100,000 crores. This may be, as for many past
Buddhas, at the time the Buddha recites the Patimokkha on the full-moon
day of Magha to an assembly possessing four factors: (1) all the
bhikkhus present are ordained with the “Come, bhikkhu” ordination, (2)
all have the six types of higher knowledge, (3) all of them come without
any previous announcement, and (4) the observance day (Uposatha) is on the fifteenth (day in the bright fortnight). [108]
The second assembly will be at the time the Buddha proclaims the
“Invitation” at the end of the rainy season and will include 90,000
crores. For the third assembly, 80,000 crores of Arahats will accompany
the Buddha when he goes in seclusion on the Gandhamadana slope of the
Himavant mountain range. Otherwise, the Buddha Metteyya will continually
be surrounded by 100,000 crores of those who have attained the six
types of higher knowledge (abhiñña) and great psychic power. [109]
Buddha Gotama said [110] that just as he was accompanied by a Sangha of hundreds of bhikkhus when he wandered around, [111] Buddha Metteyya will be accompanied by thousands.
Buddha Metteyya will go through the countryside teaching the Doctrine, awakening many people. [112]
Some will take the three refuges, some will be established in the five
precepts, some will undertake the ten skilful actions. There will be
some who become ordained, some who attain the four excellent Fruition
States, some who will attain analytic insight into the Doctrine, some
who will attain the eight excellent perfections, some the three
knowledges, and some the six types of higher knowledge. The Teachings of
Buddha Metteyya will be widespread. Seeing people who are ready to be
Awakened, he will go 100,000 leagues in a moment to cause them to be
Awakened.
It is even said that Buddha Metteyya will quench the heat for beings reborn in the lower realms. [113] The first chief disciple will be the Wheel-turning Monarch Sankha who will have the bhikkhu name of Asoka. [114]
The second chief disciple will be Brahmadeva. The Buddha’s attendant
will be named Siha. The chief women disciples among the bhikkhunis will
be Paduma and Sumana. The chief lay attendants among the men will be
Sumano [115] and Sangha; [116] among the women, Yasavati and Sangha. [117]
Wherever he goes, Buddha Metteyya will be accompanied by a great company of Devas honouring him. [118]
The Kamavacarika Devas will make necklaces which will be adorned by the
kings of the Nagas and Supannas. There will be eight garlands each of
gold, silver, jewels, and coral. There will be many hundreds of banners
hanging down. Awnings adorned with jewels will resemble the moon. They
will be surrounded by nets of bells and jewelled garlands. They will
scatter sweet-smelling flowers and different sorts of (perfumed) powder,
both divine and human. And there will be various types of cloth of many
colours. Having faith in the Buddha, they will sport all around. And
many marvels will take place through the power of Buddha Metteyya’s
merit. Seeing those marvels, many people will decide they would rather
die than abandon him as their refuge. Many of them will attain
Awakening, and those who do not will do good deeds which lead to
heavenly worlds.
Several other details can be predicted for Buddha Metteyya as they
are part of the list of thirty things that are true of all Buddhas: [119]
He will live regularly at a monastery at Jetavana. His bed there will
be on the same spot as those of past Buddhas. He will perform the Marvel
of the Double at the gateway to the city of Savatthi. He will teach the
Abhidhamma to his mother in the Tavatimsa Deva world. He will descend
from that Deva world at the gateway to the city of Sankassa.
He will lay down a rule of training whenever necessary. He will tell
the story of one of his past lives (Jataka) whenever necessary, and he
will teach the Buddhavamsa (The Chronicle of Buddhas) to a gathering of his relatives.
Several details have to do with his day-to-day habits: he will give a
friendly welcome to bhikkhus when they arrive. He will spend the rains
retreat where he is invited to and will not leave without asking
permission. Each day, he will carry out the duties to be performed
before and after meals and for the three watches in the night.
Many details are given about the physical appearance of Buddha Metteyya. [120] He will be eighty-eight cubits [121] high. His chest will be twenty-five cubits in diameter. [122]
There will be twenty-two cubits from the soles of his feet to the
knees, from the knees to the navel, from the navel to the collar bone,
and from the collar bone to the apex of his head. His arms will be
twenty-five cubits long. [123] The collar bones will be five cubits. [124]
Each finger will be four cubits. Each palm will be five cubits. The
circumference of the neck will be five cubits. Each lip will be five
cubits. [125]
The length of his tongue will be ten cubits. His elevated nose will be
seven cubits. Each eye socket will be seven cubits. The eyes themselves
will be five cubits. The Anagatavamsa says [126] his eyelashes will be thick, that the eyes will be broad and pure, not winking day or night; [127]
and that with his physical eye, he will be able to see large and small
things all around for ten leagues without obstruction. The space between
the eyebrows will be five cubits. [128] The eyebrows will be five cubits. Each ear will be seven cubits. [129] The circumference of his face will be twenty-five cubits. [130] The spiral of the protuberance on his head [131] will be twenty-five cubits.
Rays of six colours will radiate from his body and illumine the 10,000 world systems. [132] The major and minor marks will always be visible as countless hundreds of thousands of rays [133] which will shine in all directions for twenty-five leagues. [134]
Through the merit acquired when the blood flowed from his head when he
offered it to Buddha Sirimata, his radiance as a Buddha (Buddha-patha)
will shine from the summit of the world to the lowest of the hells,
Avici, and the offering of his head and the drops of blood will mean
that the radiance from the hair between his eyebrows will be unlimited. [135]
People will not be able to distinguish night from day. [136]
The only way they will know when it is night is through the sound of
bird cries and the closing of the blossoms and leaves of lotuses and
water lilies. They will know it is day by the cries of birds going to
seek food and the opening of the flowers and leaves of lotuses and water
lilies. [137]
Wherever Buddha Metteyya walks, lotuses will spring up for him to step on. [138] This is said to be the result of his great effort in the past life when he was King Sankha and went to Buddha Sirimata. [139] The main petals of the lotuses will be thirty cubits, and the minor petals, twenty-five. The stamens will be twenty cubits, [140] the pistils will be sixteen cubits, and they will be full of red pollen. [141]
But even Buddhas are subject to the law of impermanence. Eventually,
Buddha Metteyya will attain final Nibbana. All Buddhas have a meal with
meat on the day of their final Nibbana. Before their final Nibbana, they
will have accomplished 2,400,000 crores of attainments. [142] According to the Anagatavamsa commentary, when Ariya Metteyya attains final Nibbana, he will not leave behind his human body (Vipaka-kammaja-rupa, ’the body produced by the fruition [of volitional actions]’); he will enter the element of Nibbana (Nibbana-dhatu) and no relics will remain. Although the poem says his dispensation will last for 180,000 years, [143] the commentary says it will continue for 380,000 years.
How to Meet Buddha Metteyya
The Dasabodhisatta-uddesa and Anagatavamsa both give
instructions on what people must do if they are to meet Buddha Metteyya.
This is very important for all those who do not attain at least the
first stage of Awakening during this Buddha Dispensation, for, as we
have seen, Buddha Metteyya will be the last Buddha to arise in this
world cycle. If a person does not attain Awakening in this world cycle,
it will be extremely difficult to get another opportunity.
In the Dasabodhisatta-uddesa, [144] Buddha Gotama says to Ven. Sariputta, “Not all men will see my physical body. If they encounter my Teachings (sasana), give gifts (dana), observe morality (sila), and cultivate development of the mind (bhavana), through the fruit of that, they will be reborn in the time of Buddha Ariya Metteyya.”
These three actions are the basis of meritorious action (puñña). [145]
Through these actions a person can be assured of rebirth in the higher
planes of existence. Developing the mind leads to the temporary purity
attained through the Jhana states. But it can also lead to insight (Vipassana) and true liberation.
The Anagatavamsa [146] gives more details. In order to meet Buddha Metteyya, people should put forth effort (viriya) and be firm (dalha), with agitated mind (ubbigga-manasa). We can surmise that “agitated mind” means the profound stirring of the mind or sense of urgency (samvega)
that comes from realising the urgent need to work for liberation. All
those who do good deeds and who are vigilant—whether they are bhikkhus,
bhikkhunis, laymen, or laywomen—will be able to encounter the next
Buddha. All those who pay great honour to the Buddha will see the
auspicious assembly of Buddha Metteyya. The holy life (brahma-cariya) should be practised. Gifts (dana) should be given. The Observance days (Uposatha) should be kept. Loving kindness (metta)
should be carefully developed. By delighting in vigilance and
meritorious actions, it will be possible to eventually make an end to
misery (dukkha).
Ven. Ledi Sayadaw [147] points out that it is necessary to make balanced effort in terms of good conduct (carana) and right knowledge (vijja) if one is to meet the next Buddha.
Right conduct means developing morality (sila) and concentration (samadhi). Knowledge means developing wisdom (pañña).
Right conduct can be compared to having sound limbs. Right knowledge
can be compared to being able to see. If one or the other is missing, a
person will be unsuccessful. A person may be generous and keep the
permanent moral rules of the five precepts and the eight precepts on
Observance days, but if the seeds of knowledge are not planted, that
person may meet Buddha Metteyya but not be able to be Awakened. If only
knowledge is developed, wrong conduct will mean that the chances of
encountering the next Buddha will be slight, due to the intervening
period (antara-kappa) between this Buddha Dispensation and the next one.
Examples of wrong conduct mentioned by Ven. Ledi Sayadaw are: not
being generous, being poorly guarded in physical actions, being
unrestrained in speech, and unclean in thought. Such conduct will mean
rebirth in the lower realms, either in the next life or in a future
life. If people who act in this way do manage to be reborn in a higher
world, their lack of generosity will mean they will encounter hardships,
trials, and tribulations in making a living. Through not keeping the
precepts, they are likely to meet with disputes, quarrels, anger, and
hatred; and they will be susceptible to diseases and ailments. This will
make it even harder to avoid actions leading to the lower worlds.
It may be possible, however, that a person today has already prepared
in the past for attaining Awakening. If the right effort is made in
this life, that person can reach at least the first stage of Awakening
and become a Sotapanna. Then, it will be impossible to do any action
that results in rebirth in the lower realms. This will not necessarily
mean that such a person will miss the opportunity to see the next
Buddha. Eventually, as a Non-returner, he or she can be reborn in the
Suddhavasa Brahma worlds, and life in these worlds can span the careers
of several Buddhas. [148]
If a person who has enough perfections (parami) to reach
Awakening in this lifetime does not make the necessary effort, it may be
possible to become a Sotapanna in the next life in the Deva worlds. If
such a person does not practise the factors leading to Awakening, he or
she will miss out entirely during this Buddha’s Dispensation and will
only be able to attain release during the next Buddha’s Dispensation.
Ven. Ledi Sayadaw’s instructions concerning the necessary work to be
done in this life include what should be done by a person who practises
bare insight meditation. [149] One should fulfil the first eleven of the fifteen good actions (carana-dhamma), [150] that is to say, all except the Jhana states. The first four actions are: (1) being moral, [151] (2) guarding the sense doors, (3) being moderate in eating, and (4) wakefulness.
The next seven qualities are the seven good states (saddhamma) which the Buddha compared to the various protections for the citizens of a royal border town: [152]
(1) Faith (saddha) in the Buddha is like a deeply embedded pillar.
(2) Modesty (hiri) is like a deep, wide moat and means the disciple is ashamed of wrong conduct in body, speech, and mind.
(3) Shrinking from doing wrong (ottappa) is like a high, wide
road surrounding the city and means the disciple is concerned with
avoiding wrong conduct in body, speech, and mind.
(4) Being of great learning (bahu-sacca) is like a great
armoury of spears and swords. A person who has heard much, who remembers
what was heard, and who treasures it means a person who knows the
Buddha’s Doctrine.
(5) Energy (viriya) is like a large army protecting the city,
for a person should rouse energy to get rid of unskilled mental states,
to acquire skilled mental states, to be steadfast, firm in advance, and
persevere with skilled mental states.
(6) Mindfulness (sati) is like a wise, intelligent gate keeper
who refuses entrance to unknown people and only lets in those who are
known. A person should have the highest degree of mindfulness and
discrimination.
(7) Wisdom (pañña) is like a high, wide rampart covered with
plaster. A person should possess wisdom leading to (the cutting off of)
rise and fall, with the noble penetration leading to the complete
destruction of misery.
All seven of these good states enable a person to abandon wrong
actions and cultivate good actions, to abandon what is blameworthy and
develop blamelessness. Thus he develops purity.
We need not worry about whether we will be able to attain the goal of
Nibbana in this life or whether we will only be able to do so under
Buddha Ariya Metteyya. If we make the best effort we can, such questions
will take care of themselves. We must grow as much as possible in sila, samadhi, and pañña, confident that in this way we will be able to come to the end of all suffering.
Truth Will Triumph!
Appendix A:
The Chronicle of the Future Buddha
Anagatavamsa Pali [153]
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma-Sambudhassa
1 Sariputto maha-pañño Upatisso vinayako
dhamma-senapati dhiro upetva loka-nayakam
2 anagatam jin’ arabbha apucchi kankham attano:
tuyh’ anantariko dhiro Buddho kidisako bhave?
3 vittharen’ eva tam sotum iccham’, acikkha cakkhuma.
therassa vacanam sutva bhagava etad abravi:
4 anappakam puñña-rasim Ajitassa maha-yasam
na sakka sabbaso vattum vittharen’ eva kassa-ci;
eka-desena vakkhami, Sariputta, sunohi me.
5 imasmim Bhaddake kappe ajate vassa-kotiye
Metteyyo nama namena sambuddho dvipad’ uttamo
6 maha-puñño maha-pañño maha-nani maha-yaso
mahabbalo maha-thamo uppajjissati cakkhuma;
7 maha-gati sati c’ eva dhitima bahusaccava
samkhato sabba-dhammanam nato di ho suphassito
pariyogalho paramattho uppajjissati so jino.
8 tada Ketumati nama rajadhani bhavissati
dvadasa-yojan’-ayama satta-yojana-vitthata,
9 akinna nara-narihi, pasadehi vicittita,
sevita suddha-sattehi, ajeyya dhamma-rakkhita.
10 Sankho nam’ asi so raja ananta-bala-vahano,
satta-ratana-sampanno, cakkavatti mahabbalo,
11 iddhima yasava c’ eva sabba-kama-samappito;
hata-paccatthikam khemam anusasissati dhammato.
12 pasado sukato tattha dibba-vimana-sadiso
puññakammabhinibbato nana-ratana-cittito
13 vedikahi parikkhitto suvibhatto manoramo
pabhassar’ accuggato se ho duddikkho cakkhu-musano
14 rañño Maha-Panadassa pavatto ratanamayo
tam yupam ussapetvana Sankho raja vasissati.
15 athapi tasmim nagare nana-vithi tahim-tahim
sumapita pokkharani ramaniya supatittha
16 acchodaka vippasanna sadu-sita sugandhika
sama-titthika kaka-peyya atho valuka-samthata
17 padum’ uppala-samchanna sabbotuka-m-anava a.
satt’ eva tala-pantiyo sattavannika-pakara
18 ratanamaya parikkhitta nagarasmim samantato.
Kusavati rajadhani tada Ketumati bhave.
19 catukke nagare-dvare kappa-rukkha bhavissare
nilam pitam lohitakam odatan ca pabhassara.
20 nibbatta dibba-dussani dibba c’ eva pasadhana
upabhoga-paribhoga ca sabbe tatthupalambare.
21 tato nagara-majjhamhi catu-salam catummukham
puññakammabhinibbatto kappa-rukkho bhavissati.
22 kappasikan ca koseyyam khoma-kodumbarani ca
puññakammabhinibbatta kappa-rukkhesu lambare.
23 panissara mutinga ca muraj’ alambarani ca
puññakammabhinibbatta kappa-rukkhesu lambare.
24 pariharakan ca kayuram giveyyam ratanamayam
puññakammabhinibbatta kappa-rukkhesu lambare.
25 unnatam mukhaphullan ca angada mani-mekhala
puññakammabhinibbatta kapparukkhesu lambare.
26 aññe ca nana-vividha sabb’ abharanabhusana
puññakammabhinibbatta kappa-rukkhesu lambare.
27 aropitam sayam-jatam puññakammena jantunam
akanam athusam suddham sugandham tandula-phalam
akattha-pakimam salim paribhunjanti manusa.
28 dve sakala-sahassani dve sakala-satani ca
sakala sattati c’ eva ambanam solasam bhave.
29 atho pi dve ca tumbani tandulani pavuccare
eka-bije samuppanna puññakammena jantunam.
30 ye Ketumatiya viharanti Sankhassa vijite nara
tada pi te bhavissanti guni-kayuradharino
31 sampunna-mana-sankappa sumukha thula-kundala
hari-candana-litt’-anga kasik’ uttama-dharino
32 bahuta-vitta dhanino vina-tala-ppabodhana
accanta-sukhita niccam kaya-cetasikena ca.
33 dasa yojanasahassani Jambudipo bhavissati
akan ako agahano samo harita-saddalo.
34 tayo roga bhavissanti iccha anasanam jara,
pancavassasat’ itthinam vivaha ca bhavissanti;
35 samagga sakhila niccam avivada bhavissare.
sampanna phala-pupphehi lata gumba-vana duma,
36 catur-angula tina-jati muduka tula-sannibha.
natisita naccunha ca sama-vassa manda-maluta
37 sabbada utusampanna, anuna talaka nadi.
tahim-tahim bhumi-bhage akhara suddha-valuka
kalaya-mugga-mattiyo vikinna mutta-sadisa.
38 alamkatuyyanam iva ramaniya bhavissati.
gamanigama akinna accasanne tahim-tahim
39 nalavelu-vanam iva braha kukku a-sampati
avici maññe va phuttha manussehi bhavissare,
40 pagalham nara-narihi sampunna phu abhedana
iddha phita ca khema ca aniti anupaddava.
41 sada-rati sada-khidda ekanta-sukha-samappita
nakkhatte vicarissanti tuttha-hattha pamodita.
42 bahv-añña-pana bahu-bhakkha bahu-mamsa-surodaka
Alakamanda va devanam visala rajadhani va
Kurunam ramaniyo va Jambudipo bhavissati.
43 Ajito nama namena Metteyyo dvipaduttamo
anubyanjana-sampanno dvattimsavara-lakkhano
44 suvanna-vanno vigata-rajo supabhaso jutimdharo
yasaggappatto sirima abhirupo sudassano
45 mahanubhavo asamo jayissati brahmana-kule.
mahaddhano maha-bhogo maha ca kula-m-uttamo
akkhitto jati–vadena jayissati brahmana-kule.
46 Sirivaddho Vaddhamano ca Siddhattho c’ eva Candako
Ajitatthaya uppanna pasada ratanamaya.
47 nariyo sabbangasampanna sabbabharana-bhusita
mahamajjhimaka cula Ajitassa paricarika,
48 anuna satasahassa nariyo samalamkata.
Candamukhi nama nari, putto so Brahmavaddhano.
49 ramissati ratisampanno modamano maha-sukhe,
anubhutva yasam sabbam Nandane Vasavo yatha
50 attha vassa-sahassani agaramhi vasissati.
kada-ca rati-m-atthaya gaccham uyyane kilitum
51 kamesv adinavam dhiro bodhisattana dhammata
nimitte caturo disva kama-rati–vinasane
52 jinnam vyadhitakan c’ eva matan ca gata-m-ayukam
sukhitam pabbajitam disva sabbabhutanukampako
53 nibbinno kama-ratiya anapekkho maha-sukhe
anuttaram santa-padam esamano Ñbhinikkhami.
54 sattaham padhana-caram caritva purisuttamo
pasaden’ eva langhitva nikkhamissati so jino.
55 mittamacca-sahayehi nati-salohitehi ca
caturangini-senaya parisahi catuvannihi
56 caturasiti sahassehi raja-kannahi purekkhato
mahata jana-kayena Ajito pabbajissati.
57 caturasiti sahassani brahmana veda-paragu
Metteyyasmim pabbajite pabbajissanti te tada.
58 Isidatto Purano ca ubhayo te pi bhataro
caturasiti sahassani pabbajissanti te tada.
59 Jatimitto Vijayo ca yuga amita-buddhino
paccupessanti sambuddham caturasiti-sahassato.
60 Suddhiko nama gahapati Sudhana ce upasika
paccupessanti sambuddham caturasiti-sahassato.
61 Sankho nama upasako Sankha nama upasika
paccupessanti sambuddham caturasiti-sahassato.
62 Sudhano nama gahapati Sudatto iti vissuto
paccupessanti sambuddham caturasiti-sahassato.
63 itthi Yasavati nama Visakha iti vissuta
caturasiti-sahassehi nara-narihi purekkhita
64 nikkhamissanti nekkhammam Metteyyassanusasane.
aññe nagarika c’ eva tato janapada bahu
khattiya brahmana vessa sudda c’ eva anappaka
65 nekkhammabhimukha hutva nana-jacca maha-jana
Metteyyassanupabbajjam pabbajissanti te tada.
66 yasmim ca divase dhiro nekkhammam abhinikkhami
nikkhanta-divase yeva bhodi-mandam upehiti.
67 aparajita-nisabha-thane bodhipallanka-m-uttame
pallankena nisiditva bujjhissati maha-yaso.
68 upetva uyyana-varam phullam Nagavanam jino
anuttaram dhamma-cakkam evam so vattayissati:
69 dukkham dukkha-samuppadam dukkhassa ca atikkamam
ariyam atthangikam maggam dukkhupasama-gaminam.
70 tada manussa hessanti samanta sata-yojane
parisa loka-nathassa dhammaccaka-pavattane.
71 tato bhiyyo bahu deva upessanti tahim jinam,
nesam mocessati tada bandhana sahassa-kotinam.
72 tada so Sankha-raja ca pasadam ratanamayam
jinapamokkha-sanghassa niyyadetva, punaparam
73 maha-danam daditvana kapaniddhika-vanibbake,
taramana-rupo sambuddham deviya saha-m-ekato
74 maharajanubhavena ananta-bala-vahano
navuti-koti-sahassehi saddhim jinam upehiti.
75 tada hanissati sambuddho dhamma-bherim varuttamam
amatadudrabhi-nigghosam catusacca-pakasanam.
76 rañño anucara janata navuti-sahassa-kotiyo,
sabbe va te nivavasesa bhavissant’ ehi-bhikkhuka.
77 tato deva manussa ca upetva loka-nayakam
arahatta-varam arabbha panham pucchissare jinam.
78 tesam jino byakareyya, arahatta-vara-pattiya
asiti-koti-sahassehi tatiyabhibasmayo bhave.
79 khinasavanam vimalanam santa-cittana tadinam
koti-sata-sahassanam pathamo hessati samagamo.
80 vassam vu hassa bhagavato abhighu he pavarane
navuti-koti-sahassehi pavaressati so jino.
81 yada ca Himavantamhi pabbate Gandhamadane
hema-rajata-pabbhare paviveka-gato muni
82 asiti-koti-sahassehi santa-cittehi tadihi
khinasavehi vimalehi kilissati jhana-kilitam.
83 koti-sata-sahassani chalabhiñña mahiddhika
Metteyyam loka-natham tam parivaressanti sabbada,
84 patisambhidasu kusala nirutti-pada-kovida
bahu-ssuta dhamma-dhara viyatta sangha-sobhana
85 sudanta sorata dhira parivaressanti tam jinam.
purekkhato tehi bhikkhuhi nago nagehi tadihi
tinno tinnehi santehi saddhim santi-samagato
86 saddhim savaka-sanghehi pavaretva maha-muni
anukampako karuniko Metteyyo divpaduttamo
87 uddharanto bahu-satte nibbapento sa-devake
gama-nigama-rajadhanim carissati carikam jino.
88 ahantiva dhamma-bherim dhamma-sankha-palapanam
dhamma-yagam pakittento dhamma-dhajam samussayam
89 nadanto siha-nadam va vattento cakkam uttamam
rasuttamam sacca-panam payanto nara-narinam
90 hitaya sabba-sattanam nathanatham maha-janam
bodhento bodhaneyyanam carissati carikam jino.
91 kassa-ci saranagamane nivesessati cakkhuma
kassa-ci panca-silesu kassa-ci kusale dasa,
92 kassa-ci dassati samaññam caturo phala-m-uttame,
kassa-ci asame dhamme dassati patisambhida,
93 kassa-ci vara-sampatti attha dassati cakkhuma,
kassa-ci tisso vijjayo chal abhiñña pavacchati.
94 tena yogena jana-kayam ovadissati so jino,
tada vittharikam hessam Metteyya-jina-sasanam.
95 bodhaneyya-janam disva sata-sahasse pi yojane
khanena upagantvana bodhayissati so muni.
96 mata Brahmavati nama Subrahma nama so pita
purohito Sankha-rañño Metteyyassa tada bhave.
97 Asoko Brahmadevo ca agga hessanti savaka,
Siho nama upatthako upatthissati tam jinam.
98 Paduma c’ eva Sumana ca agga hessanti savika,
Sumano c’ eva Sankho ca bhavissant’ aggupatthaka,
99 Yasavati ca Sankha ca bhavissant’ aggupatthika.
bodhi tassa bhagavato Nagarukkho bhavissati
100 visa-hattha-sata-kkhandho, sakha visa-satani ca
samvellitagga lulita, mora-hattho va sobhati.
101 supupphitagga satatam surabhi-deva-gandhika
nali-pura bhave renu suphulla cakka-mattaka
102 anuvata-pa ivatamhi vayati dasa yojane
ajjhokirissati pupphani bodhi-mande samantato.
103 samagantva janapada ghayitva gandham uttamam
vakyam niccharayissanti tena gandhena modita:
104 sukho vipako puññanam Buddha-se hassa tadino
yassa tejena pupphanam acinteyyo pavayati.
105 atthasiti bhave hattho ayamen’ eva so jino,
uram bhave pannavisam vikkhambhe tassa satthuno.
106 visala-netto alarakkhi visuddha-nayano isi,
animisam diva-rattim anu thulam mamsa-cakkhuna
107 anavaranam passeyya samanta dvadasa-yojanam;
pabha niddhavati tassa yavata pannavisati.
108 sobhati vijju-latthi va dipa-rukkho va so jino,
ratanagghika-sankaso bhanuma viya bhahiti.
109 lakkhananubyanjana ramsi dissanti sabbakalika,
patanti vividha ramsi aneka-sata-sahassiyo.
110 paduddhare paduddhare suphulla paduma ruha,
timsa-hattha sama patta, anupatta pannavisati,
111 kesara visati-hattha, kannika solasam bhave,
suratta-renu-bharita paduma kokasa-m-antare.
112 Kamavacarika deva nimminissanti agghike,
Naga-raja ca Supanna ca tada te Ñlankarissare;
113 attha sovannaya agghi attha rupimayani ca
attha manimaya agghi attha pavalamayani ca.
114 aneka-ratana-samcita dhajamala-vibhusita
lambamana kilissanti dhaja neka-sata bahu.
115 mani-mutta-dama-bhusita vitana soma-sannibha
parikkhitta kinkanika-jala vatamsaka-ratana bahu.
116 nana-puppha vikirissanti surabhigandha-sugandhika
vividha nana-cunnani dibba-manussakani ca.
117 vicitta nana-dussani pancavannika-sobhana
abhipasanna Buddhasmim kilissanti samantato.
118 tattha sahassa-m-ubbedha dossaneyya manorama
ratanagghika-torana asambadha susam hita
119 sobhamana padissanti visala sabbato-pabha.
tesam majjha-gato Buddho bhikkhusanghapurekkhato
120 Brahma va parisajjanam Indo va vimanantare.
gacchanti Buddhe gacchante, titthamanamhi thassare,
121 nisinne sayite capi satthari saha-parise
catu-iriyapathe niccam dharayissanti sabbada.
122 eta c’ añña ca pujayo dibba-manussaka pi ca
vividhani patihirani hessanti sabbakalika
123 anantapuñña-tejena Metteyyam abhipujitum.
disvana tam patihiram nana-jacca maha-jana
124 sa-putta-dara panehi saranam hessanti satthuno.
ye brahmacariyam carissanti sutvana munino vacam
te tarissanti samsaram maccudheyyam suduttaram.
125 bahu ggihi dhamma-cakkhum visodhessanti te tada
dasahi puñña-kiriyahi tihi sucaritehi ca
126 agamadhigamen’ eva sodhayitvana s’ adaram
anudhamma-carino hutva bahu saggupaga bhave.
127 na sakka sabbaso vattum ettakam iti va yasam.
accanta-sukhita niccam tasmim gate kala-sampade
128 maha-yasa sukhenapi ayu-vanna-balena ca
dibba-sampatti va tesam manussanam bhavissati.
129 anubhutva kama-sukham addhanam yavaticchakam
te paccha sukhita yeva nibbissant’ ayu-sankhaya;
130 asiti–vassa-sahassani tada ayu bhavissare,
tavata titthamano so taressati jane bahu.
131 paripakka-manase satte bodhayitvana sabbaso
avasesaditthasaccanam maggamaggam anusasiya
132 dhammokkam dhamma-navan ca dhammadasan ca osadham
sakkaccena hi sattanam thapetva ayatim-jane
133 saddhim savakasanghena kata-kiccena tadina
jalitva aggikkhandho va nibbayissati so jino.
134 parinibbutamhi sambuddhe sasanam tassa hahiti
vassasata-sahassani asiti c’ eva sahassato;
tato param antaradhanam loke hessati darunam.
135 evam anicca sankhara addhuva tavakalika,
ittara bhedana c’ eva jajjara rittaka bhava,
136 tucchamutthi-sama suñña-sankhara bala-lapana,
na kassa-ci vaso tattho vattati iddhimassa pi;
137 evam ñatva yatha-bhutam nibbinde sabba-sankhate.
dullabho purisajañño, na so sabbattha jayati;
yattha so jayati dhiro tam kulam sukham edhati.
138 tasma Metteyya-buddhassa dassanatthaya vo idha
ubbiggamanasa sutthum karotha viriyam dalham.
139 ye keci kata-kalyana appamadaviharino
bhikkhu bhikkhuniyo c’ eva upasaka upasika
140 mahantam Buddha-sakkaram ularam abhipujayum
dakkhinti bhadra-samitim tasmim kale sa-devaka.
141 caratha brahmacariyam. Detha danam yatha Ñraham.
uposatham upavasatha, mettam bhavetha sadhukam.
142 appamada-rata hotha puññakiriyasu sabbada.
idh’ eva katva kusalam dukkhass’ antam karissatha ti.
Anagatavamso nitthito.
Translation
Praise to That One, the Blessed One, the Noble One, the Fully Self-Awakened One
1 Sariputta of great wisdom, the leader Upatissa, the firm general of the Doctrine, approached the leader of the world
2–3 and asked the Conqueror about his own doubts with reference to
the future Buddha: “What will the wise Buddha immediately after you be
like? I wish to hear this in detail. Please tell me, o Seeing One.”
Hearing the Thera’s words, the Blessed One said this:
4 It is not possible for anyone to describe at length Ajita’s great
accumulated merit which is not small, which is of great fame. I will
tell [you about] it in part. Listen, o Sariputta.
5 In this auspicious world cycle, in the future, in a crore of years, there will be an Awakened One named Metteyya, best of men,
6 of great merit, great wisdom, great knowledge, great fame, great power, great steadfastness; he will be born, one who sees.
7 Having great rebirth, [great] mindfulness, full of wisdom, of great
learning, he will be a preacher, a knower, one who sees well, who
touches and plunges into the highest goal. He will be born, that
Conqueror.
8 At that time, there will be a royal city named Ketumati, twelve leagues long and seven leagues wide,
9 full of men and women, adorned with palaces, frequented by men and women, incomparable, rightly protected.
10 There will be a king named Sankha, of limitless strength and
vehicles, possessing the seven jewels, a Wheel-turning Monarch of great
power,
11 having psychic powers, fame, enjoying all sensual pleasures; and
he will preach the doctrine of quiescence that destroys all its
opponents.
12 A well-made palace there, like a divine palace, will arise through his merit. [It will be] resplendant with many jewels,
13 surrounded by balustrades, well designed, delightful, resplendant, very tall, the best, hard to look at, harming the eyes.
14 The jewel palace that came into existence for King Maha-Panadassa will rise up for him and King Sankha will live in it.
15 And then, in that city, there will be various streets here and
there, delightful lotus ponds, well built, with beautiful banks,
16 full to the brim of fragrant, clear, clean, cool, sweet water, [with banks] strewn with sand,
17 [ponds] covered with red and blue lotuses, accessible to all
people at all times. There will be seven rows of palm trees and walls of
seven colours
18 made of jewels encircling all the city. The royal city of Kusavati at that time will be Ketumati
19 In squares at the gate[s] of the city there will be shining
wishing trees, [one] blue, [one] yellow, [one] red, and [one] white.
20 There will have come into being divine clothes and divine ornaments hanging there, all sorts of wealth and possessions.
21 At that time, in the middle of the city, there will be four halls,
facing the four directions, and there will be [another] wishing tree
produced by his merit.
22 Hanging from those wishing trees there will be cotton cloth, sheaths, flaxen cloth of Kodum produced by his merit.
23 Hanging from those wishing trees there will be tambourines, tambours, and small drums produced by his merit.
24 Hanging from those wishing trees there will be encircling bracelets and necklaces made of jewels produced by his merit.
25 Hanging from those wishing trees there will be “high” oranments,
“blooming-face” ornaments, bracelets and girdles produced by his merit.
26 And hanging from those wishing trees there will be many other ornaments and decorations of different sorts.
27 Through the action of beings’ merits, men will enjoy
self-generated rice that has no “dust,” no chaff, that is pure,
sweet-smelling, with grains ready husked, ripened without cultivation.
28 A sixteenth of [today’s] ambana [measure] will be 2,270 cartloads.
29 And at that time one grain will produce two tumbas—they are called rice grains—produced by the action of beings’ merits.
30 The men who live in Ketumati in the kingdom of Sankha will wear armour and braclets.
31 Whatever they want will be fulfilled. They will have happy faces.
They will wear large earrings. Their bodies will be covered with yellow
sandalwood paste. They will wear garments from Kasi.
32 They will be of great wealth, rich; they will be waked by drums
and lutes. They will constantly be exceedingly happy in body and mind.
33 Jambudipa will be ten thousand leagues, without thorns, clear, with green grass.
34 There will be three diseases: desire, hunger, and old age. The women will marry at the age of five hundred.
35 They will always be in unity, congenial, without disputes. The
vines, trees, and bushes will be equipped with fruit and flowers.
36 There will be a grass four-inches high that will be as soft as
cotton. There will be even rains and gentle winds, neither too hot nor
too cold.
37 There will always be a beautiful climate. The rivers and ponds
will not lack [in water]. Here and there in the districts, the pure sand
will not be rough. It will be scattered around like pearls the size of
peas and beans.
38 It will be delightful like an adorned garden. Here and there,
there will be villages and towns very close together and full of people.
39 [The villages and towns] will be like a great forest of reeds and
bamboo, full of people, I think, at a cockflight’s [distance], without
interval.
40 Trading cities will be filled with men and women who will be
prosperous, rich and tranquil, free from danger and in good health.
41 They will wander about festivals, always joyful, always playing, extremely happy. They will rejoice, happy and pleased.
42 There will be much food and water, much to eat, much meat, drink,
and water. Jambudipa will be delightful, like the Alakamanda of the
Devas or the broad capital of the Kurus.
43–45 One named Ajita [will be born], Metteyya, the best of
two-footed beings, with the thirty-two excellent marks and the [eighty]
minor characteristics, of golden complexion, without stain, very
splendid, resplendent, of the highest fame, glorious, of perfect form,
of good sight, of great power, incomparable. He will be born in a
Brahman family, with great wealth and possessions, and of excellent
family. There will be no dispute concerning his birth.
46 [Four] palaces made of jewels will have come into being for Ajita: Sirivaddha, Vaddhamana, Siddhattha, and Candaka.
47 Ajita’s female attendants will be women perfect in all their
limbs, adorned with [all kinds of] ornaments, small, medium, and large.
48 There will be a complete [retinue of] one hundred thousand women
fully adorned. Candamukhi will be his wife. Brahmavaddhana will be his
son.
49 He will delight in great happiness, be joyful, and endowed with pleasure. He will enjoy all fame like Nandana and Vasava.
50 He will live in a household for eight thousand years. At some time, he will go to a park for pleasure to amuse himself.
51 Seeing the danger in sensual pleasures and being wise in
accordance with the nature of Bodhisattas, he will see the four signs
which destroy sensual pleasures:
52 an old man, a sick man, a dead man, and a happy wanderer. He will go forth. Having sympathy for all beings,
53 he will become averse to sensual pleasures. Not looking for the
unsurpassed, great happiness and bliss in seeking honour, he will go
forth.
54 He will undertake the practice of exertion for seven days. That
Conqueror will go forth, leaping up [into the air] with his palace.
55–56 Ajita will go forth, honoured by a great group of people,
friends and companions, blood relatives, a fourfold army, an assembly of
the four castes, and 84,000 princesses.
57 When Metteyya has gone forth, at that time, 84,000 Brahmans who are skilled in the Vedas will go forth.
58 At that time, both of the brothers, Isidatta and Purana will go forth [with] 84,000 [other people].
59 The twins, Jatimitta and Vijaya, of unlimited wisdom, will approach that Perfect Buddha from the 84,000.
60 The householder named Suddhika and the lay woman Sudhana will approach the perfect Buddha from that 84,000.
61 The lay disciple named Sangha and the lay woman named Sangha will approach that perfect Buddha from the 84,000.
62 The householder named Saddhara and the renowned Sudatta will approach that perfect Buddha out of the 84,000.
63 The woman named Yasavati and the renowned Visakha will be honoured by men and women.
64 They will go forth in renunciation on the admonition of Metteyya.
Other citizens and many people from the country, and no few nobles,
Brahmans, merchants, and workers,
65 inclined to renunciation, a great crowd of all sorts of birth, will then go forth, following the going forth of Metteyya.
66 On the day that Wise One goes forth in renunciation, on that very
day of renouncing, he will approach the dais of the tree of awakening.
67 In the place of the unconquered Bulls Among Men, on that supreme
seat of awakening, seated in a cross-legged position, the One of Great
Fame will be awakenend.
68 The Conqueror will go to the excellent garden Nagavana in full
flower, and there he will set in motion the incomparable Wheel of the
Doctrine: 69 misery, the arising of misery, the overcoming of misery,
and the Noble Eightfold Path leading to the cessation of misery.
70 Then, there will be a gathering of men all around for one hundred
leagues when that protector of the world sets in motion the Wheel of the
Doctrine.
71 Then, very many Devas will approach the Conqueror there, and he will free 100,000 crores from their bondage.
72–73 Then, that king Sankha, having given his jewel palace to the
Sangha with the Conqueror at its head, having given another great gift
to the poor, the needy, and to beggars, hurrying along with this queen,
he will approach the Perfect Buddha.
74 Through the power of the great king and his limitless force of
charriots, he will approach the Conqueror accompanied by 90,000 crores
[of people].
75 Then the Perfect Buddha will beat the drum of the Doctrine, the
excellent and highest sound of the kettle drum of the undying, making
known the Four Truths.
76 The company of people accompanying the king, all 90,000 crores without exception, will become “Come Bhikkhu” monks.
77 Then Devas and men will approach the Leader of the World and ask the Conqueror a question concerning Arahatship.
78 That Conqueror will answer them and 80,000 crores will attain
Arahatship. That will be the third penetration. 79 The first assembly
will be of 100,000 crores of those whose taints are destroyed, who are
spotless, of peaceful minds, venerable ones.
80 When the Blessed One proclaims the Invitation [to declare purity]
at the end of the rainy season, that Conqueror will be surrounded by
90,000 crores.
81 And when the Sage has gone in seclusion to the golden and silver Gandhamadana slope of the Himavanta mountain range,
82–83 he will enjoy the sport of meditation [accompanied by] 80,000
crores of those whose taints are destroyed, who are spotless, of
peaceful minds, venerable ones. 83 100,000 crores of those who possess
the six higher knowledges, who possess great psychic power, will
constantly surround that Protector of the World, Metteyya.
84 Skilled in discriminating knowledge, knowing the words and the
explanation [of the Doctrine], very learned,expert in the Doctrine,
knowledgeable, adorning the Sangha,
85 well tamed, gentle, firm, they will surround that Conqueror. That
Naga [the Buddha] will be honoured by those monks who will be Nagas like
him. He who will have crossed over, together with those who have
crossed over, who are at peace, who assemble in peace.
86 Together with an order of disciples surrounding that Great Sage,
the Compassionate One, the Sympathetic One, Metteyya, greatest of
two-footed beings,
87 raising up many individuals and Devas, will bring them to Nibbana.
That Conqueror will wander around the towns and villages and capitals.
88 He will beat the drum of the Doctrine. He will sound the conch
shell of the Doctrine. He will proclaim the spiritual sacrifice. He will
raise the banner of the Doctrine.
89 He will roar the lion’s roar, set in motion the excellent wheel
[of the Doctrine], and cause men and women to drink the drink of truth
with its excellent taste.
90 That Conqueror will wander for the sake of all beings, both rich
and poor, causing many people who are capable of being awakened to be
awakened.
91 The Seeing One will cause some to take refuge [in the Triple Gem],
some to take the five moral precepts, and some to undertake the ten
skilful [actions].
92 He will give some the state of being a novice and the four
excellent Fruition States. He will give some discriminating knowledge
into the incomparable Doctrine.
93 The Seeing One will give some the eight excellent attainments. He
will give some the three knowledges and the six higher knowledges.
94 That Conqueror will admonish [a large] group of people [to
undertake] that practice. Then the Teaching of the Conqueror Metteyya
will be wide spread.
95 Seeing people capable of being awakened, that Sage will go 100,000 leagues in a moment and will cause them to be awakened.
96 At that time, Metteyya’s mother will be named Brahmavati, his
father will be named Subrahma and will be the priest of King Sankha.
97 His foremost lay disciples will be Asoka and Brahmadeva. The [lay] attendant Siha will attend on that Conqueror.
98 Paduma and Sumana will be his foremost female disciples. Sumana and Sangha will be his foremost personal attendants.
99 Yasavati and Sangha will be his foremost female attendants. The Naga tree will be the awakening [place] for that Blessed One.
100 Its trunk will be two thousand cubits. It will have 20,000
branches with curved tips [always] moving. It will shine like the
outspread tail of a peacock.
101 The tips [of the branches] will be continually in flower and
fragrant with a heavenly smell. The blossoms will be the size of wheels,
with enough pollen to fill a nali measure.
102 [The tree] will send its perfume in all directions for ten
leagues, both with and against the wind. It will scatter its flowers all
around the throne of awakening.
103 People from the country, coming together there, will smell the
excellent odour and pour forth words [of admiration], rejoicing in its
odour.
104 There will be a happy fruition of meritorious deeds for that
venerable one, the Best of Buddhas, whose unimaginable radiance will
spread out [like the smell of] the flowers.
105 That Conqueror will be eighty-eight cubits tall. That Teacher’s chest will be twenty-five cubits in diameter.
106 The Seer will have broad eyes with thick eyelashes. His eyes will
be pure, not blinking day or night. His physical eye will see small or
large things
107 in all directions for ten leagues without obstruction. His radiance will stream forth as far as twenty-five leagues.
108 That Conqueror will shine like a streak of lightening or a
candlestick. He will shine like the sun, resembling a garland of jewels.
109 His [thirty-two major] marks and [eighty] secondary marks will at
all times be seen as rays. Many hundreds of thousands of different
sorts of rays will fall down.
110 At every footstep [he takes] a beautiful flowering lotus will
grow. [The lotuses will be] thirty cubits [across] with even petals and
twenty-five minor petals.
111 The stamens will be twenty cubits long and the pericaps will be
sixteen cubits long. Inside the red lotuses [the flowers] will be filled
with very red pollen.
112 The Kamavacarika Devas will make columns of honour and Naga kings and Supanna [Devas] will decorate them.
113 There will be eight columns of gold, eight of silver, eight of jewels, and eight made of coral.
114 There will be many hundreds of flags hanging there disporting
themselves—adorned garlands of flags ornamented with many precious
things.
115 There will be awnings adorned with jewels and resembling the
moon. There will be many jewelled head ornaments with nets of small
bells surrounding them.
116 They will scatter fragrant, sweet-smelling, perfumed flowers, and different sorts of powder, both human and divine,
117 and a variety of cloths of diverse colours, beautiful, of the
five colours. They will all sport around, having faith in the Buddha.
118 There will be gateways there with strings of jewels, a thousand
[cubits] high, delightful, beautiful, unobstructed and well-formed.
119 They will be seen to be shining, with their radiance widespread
all around. The Buddha, at the head of the Order of Monks, will go in
their midst,
120 like Brahma in his assembly or lnda in his palace. When the
Buddha goes [anywhere], they will go; when he stays [in a place], they
will stay;
121 when the Teacher sits or lies down together with his assembly, they will always practise the [same] four postures.
122 There will be these honours as well as others, both human and divine. There will constantly be many sorts of marvels
123 to honour Metteyya through the power of his endless merit. Having
seen that marvel, many people of various births, [many] men with their
families, will only abandon the Teacher as their refuge at the cost of
their lives.
124 Whoever practises the holy life after hearing the word of the
Sage, that person will go beyond journeying-on, which is subject to
death and difficult to escape from.
125 Many householders will purify the eye of the Doctrine by means of
the ten meritorious acts and the three types of right action.
126 Many will be destined for heaven through being accomplished in
the traditional learning and texts, having purified [themselves] through
respect for him, and through following the true Doctrine.
127 It would not be possible to describe in every detail their fame
which will be so great. They will be continually very happy. When they
reach the end of their time [in that life],
128 those men will have great fame as well as happiness. Life,
beauty, and strength, and heavenly bliss [in a heavenly world] will be
theirs.
129 They will experience the happiness of sensual pleasures for as
long as they wish. Then afterwards, at the end of their lives, they will
enter into [true] happiness.
130 [The Buddha’s] lifetime there will be 80,000 years. Remaining there that long, he will bring many people to the other shore.
131 He will cause beings whose minds are ripe to be completely
awakened and he will instruct others who have not perceived the [four]
truths concerning which is the right path and which is the wrong path.
132 He will carefully establish the torch of the Doctrine, the boat
of the Doctrine, the mirror of the Doctrine, the medicine [of the
Doctrine] for beings [at that time and] in the future.
133 Then, in the midst of the venerable order of lay disciples who
will have done what should be done, that Conqueror will blaze out like a
mass of fire, and he will be extinguished.
134 When the Perfect Buddha has been completely extinguished, his
Teaching will remain for 180,000 years. After that, there will be a
terrible disappearance in the world.
135 Thus, the constituent elements are impermanent, not firm,
temporary, transitory, liable to destruction and old age, and empty.
136 The constituent elements are like an empty fist, they are empty,
they are the talk of fools. There is no power for anyone there, not even
for one who has the psychic powers.
137 Thus, knowing this as it really is, one should be disillusioned
with all compounded things. A Thoroughbred Among Men is hard to find. He
is not born everywhere. Wherever that Hero is born, that happy family
prospers.
138 Therefore, in order to see Buddha Metteyya here, act rightly, firmly, energetically, with agitated mind.
139 Whoever does good things here and dwells vigilant, whether a monk, nun, lay disciple, or laywoman disciple,
140 whoever esteems the great Buddha, pays great honour to the Great
One, that person together with the Devas will see the auspicious
assembly at that time.
141 Practise the holy life. Give suitable gifts. Keep the observance days. Practise loving kindness carefully.
142 Be one who delights in being vigilant, always performing
meritorious actions. Having acted skilfully here, you will make an end
of misery.
Appendix B:
Aspirations to Meet Buddha Ariya Metteyya
We have made some alterations in the following translations. [154]
1. Aspiration concluding many Pali manuscripts in Sri Lanka (from Dbk, p. 36):
By the merit of this writing may I draw near to
Metteyya (and) having been established in the Refuges, may I be well
established in the Sasana.
2. Aspiration concluding manuscripts in Sinhalese (from Dbk, p. 37):
By the power of these meritorious deeds, without
falling into the four hells, may I seek the Bodhisatta Metteyya in the
Tavatimsa heaven and enjoying divine happiness, and going from there to
Ketumati City, eradicating the defilements, may I receive the peace of
liberation from the Buddha Metteyya.
3. Aspiration concluding the Dvadasaparitta (from Dbk, p. 38):
In the future, Buddha Metteyya will be unexcelled in the world, he of great merits, of great power; may you have great peace.
4. Aspiration attributed to King Parakramabahu I of Sri Lanka (from Dbk, p. 38):
Having departed from here and being reborn on the
peak of Himalaya in the noble Jambudipa (India) as a leading deity of an
aeon’s life-span, I shall indeed hear the Doctrine of Lord Metteyya.
5. Aspiration at the conclusion of the commentary on the Jataka (from Dbk, p. 39; verses 4–11 of the concluding 37 verses):
May I, through this meritorious deed, be born in my
next life in the city of Tusita, the beautiful dwelling-place of the
gods. May I listen to the preaching of Lord Metteyya and enjoy great
glory with him for a long time. When this Great Being is born in the
charming city of Ketumati as the Buddha, may I be reborn with the three
noble root-conditions in a Brahman family. May I make offerings to that
Great Sage of invaluable robes of the finest sort, alms, dwelling-places
and medicines in abundance. May I undertake the life of a bhikkhu in
the dispensation and illumine that noble (institution), being the
possessor of potency, mindful and well-versed in the Tipitaka. May he
predict (of me), “This one will be a Buddha in the future.” And may I
offer gifts to the Buddhas who will come one after the other and
(receive sure prediction) from them too. May I fare on in repeated
births, give food and other things that are desired like a
wish-conferring tree. May I fulfil all the perfections of morality,
renunciation, wisdom, and so forth, and having attained the summit of
the perfections, become an incomparable Buddha. May I preach the sweet
Doctrine which brings bliss to all beings, liberating the whole world
with its Devas from the bondage of repeated births. May I guide them to
the most excellent, tranquil Nibbana.
6. Aspiration at the conclusion of Sinhalese manuscripts of Ashin Buddhaghosa’s Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification, pp. 837f.):
By the performance of such merit
As has been gained by me through this
And any other still in hand
So may I in my next becoming
Behold the joys of Tavatimsa,
Glad in the qualities of virtue
And unattached to sense desires
By having reached the first fruition,
And having in my last life seen
Metteyya, Lord of Sages, highest
Of persons in the world, and helper
Delighting in all beings’ welfare,
And heard the Holy One proclaim
The teaching of the Noble Law,
May I grace the Victor’s Dispensation
By realising its Highest Fruit.
7. The aspiration of Thera Maha-Mangala in his biography of Ashin Buddhaghosa (Buddhaghosuppatti) (from Dbk, p. 40):
O may it be my lot to meet with him, the Lord Metteyya! He, the Fully Awakened One, shall lead vast multitudes across samsara’s stream.
When I have found Metteyya, may I be versed in the
three scriptures, and then in wisdom I shall see face-to-face the lord
of mercy.
8. Aspiration at the end of sharing merits in the Dana ceremony in Sri Lanka (from Dbk, p. 41):
By the aid of this meritorious deed of Dana, may you
be reborn in the heavenly and human worlds, enjoying the greatest of
worldly happiness, and may you be born again in the presence of Buddha
Metteyya, and benefiting from his teaching of the Four Noble Truths, may
you attain to the supreme, immortal, great Nibbana!
9. Aspiration used in connection with the recitation Parittas (verses of protection) in Sri Lanka (from Dbk, p. 42):
May the multitude of gods dwelling over the seven
oceans, on Mount Meru, in the Titans’ world, in the world of Nagas, in
the six celestial worlds, in the four shrines of the (four Guardian)
Devas, on Mount Samantakuta, on the Himalayas, over the seven lakes,
over Lake Anotatta, in the sky, on the earth, in all the Brahma worlds,
in this Cakkavala (world-system), in the island of Ceylon, partake of
these merits with loving thoughts and perceive Nibbana by seeing the
sage-king Metteyya.
10. Closing verses at the end of Sinhalese manuscripts of Ashin Buddhaghosa’s Atthasalini (from The Expositor, p. 542):
By grace of this, the book I wrote,
Into Metteyya’s presence am I come.
Within the Refuges established
Upon the Sasana I take my stand.
May mother, father, teachers, they who wish me well
And they who do not, give me happy thanks
And long safeguard the merit I have won.
Notes
-
One text, the Mahasampindanidana, was not
available to us. For the story in it concerning Ven. Maha-Kassapa, see
Dbk, pp. 43–45. According to this text, the body of an Arahat name
Kassapa who lived after the time of the Buddha Kassapa is inside
Kukkutasampata Mountain and will come out at the time of the next Buddha
to be cremated then.Some works which include discussions of the material found in Pali
texts have not added any new information, and so are not quoted. See,
for example, Emile Abegg, Der Messiasglaube in Indian und Iran (Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1928); Emil Abegg, ‘Der Buddha Maitreya,’ Mitteilunger der Schwizerischen Gestellschaft der Freunde Ostasiasticher Kultur, VIl (1945), pp. 7–37. For a discussion of the importance of Metteyya in Sri Lanka, see Culte, pp. 86–96.[Back] - The name is also shortened in Burma to Arimetteyya. [Back]
- See pp. 32–43. [Back]
- These verses are given in Pali and English in Dbk, pp. 381. They are not included in the English translation of the Jataka. [Back]
- The Path of Purification, pp. 837f. and Dbk, p. 40. [Back]
- Expos., p. 542. [Back]
- See Dbk, pp. 42f. [Back]
- Pagan, Art and Architecture of Old Burma (Whiting Bay: Kiscadale Publications, 1989), p. 122. See also p. 32. [Back]
- See Dipak K. Barua, Buddha Gaya Temple: Its History (Buddha Gaya Temple Management Committee, 1981), pp. 195–200. [Back]
- According to the Gandhavamsa (61, 1). See K.R. Norman, Pali Literature (Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz, 1983), pp. 147, 161. [Back]
- These verses begin the printed Burmese texts consulted: Dipeyin Sayadaw, Anagatavamsa (Rangoon: Icchasaya Pitaka Printing Press); Maung Ba Pe, Anagatavan kyam: (Rangoon: Tuin:ok Bha:ma:, 1907); and the anonymous Anagatavan kyam:
(Rangoon: Kawimyakmhan, 1924). In this translation, we include in
brackets the information the authors supply in their word-by-word
translation of the Pali into Burmese. The wording is very close to that
found in a Burmese manuscript quoted by Minayeff (JPTS, 1883, p. 37), in
Dbu, (p. 334), and in a Burmese nissaya (word-by-word translation), dated 1842, of the Anagatavamsa
in the Museum fur Indische Kunst, Berlin (Hs-Birm 3) (see No. 88 [p.
117] in Heinz Bechert, Daw Khin Khin Su, Daw Tin Tin Myint, Burmese Manuscripts, part 1, Verzeichnis der Orientalischen Handschriften in Deutschland,
Band XXIII, 1 (Wiesbaden: Franz Steiner, 1979). Dbu has the following
variants for names: Dighajanghi for Dighasoni and Sona for Candani; the
lines quoted by Minayeff (and cited in Dbk, p. 17) give Samkacca for
Candani; Hs-Birm 3 has Samcicca for Candani, all three texts have
Palileyyo for Palaleyo. [Back] - Only a Teaching Buddha has the ability to see if the aspiration will be fulfilled. See Treatise, p. 263 under “(4) The Sight of the Master.” [Back]
- See Treatise, p. 303. These are also mentioned in the introduction to Th-a. [Back]
- His name is also given as Ariya Metteyya. In Myanmar, this is usually contracted to Ari-Metteyya (see the Myanmar–English Dictionary, Deparment of the Myanmar Language Commission, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 586, Ari-Metteyya = Ariya + Metteyya). [Back]
- See Ven. H. Saddhitissa’s introduction to Dbk, p. 33. [Back]
- See Sayagyi U Ba Khin, Dhamma Texts, pp. 53f.; CSM, p. 88;
and The Path of Purification (Vism), XIII 16. In CSM, the ordinary
disciple is not mentioned and the time given for the Pacceka Buddha is
two incalculables and one hundred thousand aeons. The figures we have
given are based on how far back the various Bodhisattas can recollect
given in Vism. [Back] - See Treatise, pp. 312–314; CSM, 23, 89, 162. They
are also mentioned at Dh-a I 84 and Ja I 25. The Jataka stories
illustrating the highest perfections in the case of Buddha Gotama are
given in CSM (pp. 89–92). [Back] - See CSM, pp. 89, 162, and Treatise, p. 313. [Back]
- See Treatise, pp. 312f. [Back]
- See Treatise, pp. 313f. [Back]
- See Treatise, pp. 325f. [Back]
- This is mentioned in Dvp, p. 133. [Back]
- CSM, p. 130f. (in the discussion of “cause”). [Back]
- In an unpublished passage. This is mentioned by Sayadaw U Vicittasarabhivamsa in his Mahabuddhavan (Yangon: Sasana Council, 1977), pp. 6–10 (he quotes as his source: Ashin Thilawuntha [Silavamsa], Parami-kan-pyo). [Back]
- See Treatise, pp. 267–270. [Back]
- See CSM, pp. 132–134. [Back]
- Jinakalamali (Epochs of the Conqueror). [Back]
- Epochs, pp. 5f. [Back]
- Epochs, pp. 8f. [Back]
- Dbk (see also pp. 391–413 of the next text), and Dbu. [Back]
- There does not seem to be any information as to when this
Buddha lived. He would have lived before the twenty-four Buddhas under
whom the Bodhisatta who became Buddha Gotama made his resolutions. [Back] - See Illus., p. 131. [Back]
- Reading yatha with the Martini ed. (p. 395 and variant reading p. 306) for yava in the Pali Text Society ed. (p. 127). [Back]
- See CSM, p. 215. [Back]
- Dbk, p. 54. [Back]
- We base the following account on the information in Dipeyin Sayadaw’s Anagatavamsa. See also: Dbk, p. 54; Sylvain Levi, “Maitreya le consolateur,” Etudes d’orientalisme publiées par le Musée Guimet à la memoire de Raymonde Linossier
(1932), Vol. II, p. 366 (his information is based on a Pali text from
Thailand, Pathamasambodhi); and George Cœdès, “Une vie indochinoise du
Bouddha: la Pathamasambodhi,” Mélanges d’indianiste à la memoire de Louis Renou
(1968), pp. 217–227. According to Dvp, Chapter 31 (Pali, pp. 125–127,
French, pp. 132–134), Ajita was from a prosperous family in Sankassa.
This text says that Bodhisatta Metteyya had already fulfilled the
perfections for sixteen incalculables and a hundred thousand aeons when
he was born as a human during the time of Buddha Gotama. His family
lived at the gate of the city Sankassa (Sankhassa in the French ed.). It
was here that the Buddha descended from the Tavatimsa Deva world after
teaching the Abhidhamma. On this occasion he asked Ven. Sariputta a
question which none of the other disciples were able to answer in order
to show that the chief disciple understood the Doctrine better than any
of the other disciples (see Buddhist Legends, III, 54–56). When
the Great Bodhisatta heard Ven. Sariputta’s answer, he was very pleased.
Seeing the pleasing appearance of the Buddha and hearing him teach the
Doctrine, Ajita was drawn to become a bhikkhu. (The French translation
of this passage is slightly inaccurate.) [Back] - Suttanta No. 142 (MLS, III 300–305). [Back]
- The account in the Pathamasambodhi differs somewhat (see
Sylvain Levi, “Maitreya,” p. 366). In this account, Ajita is still a
novice, the newest member of the Sangha. He is given both of the robes
and uses the second one by tearing it up to make garlands to hang from
the border of the canopy. After having done all this, Ajita makes a vow
to become a Teaching Buddha and Buddha Gotama then gives his sure
prediction. The details concerning the robe and the sure prediction are
also found in Dvp (Pali, p. 126). [Back] - D, No. 26 (DB, III, 72–74; TS, pp. 364–368). [Back]
- Sayagyi U Ba Khin interpreted this passage to mean that the
generosity would consist mainly of the gift of the Dhamma (see above,
p. vii). [Back] - See Vol. I, 22–25 (Ch. XXXVII, verses 215–246). This passage is quoted by Ven. Nanamoli in the introduction of his translation, The Path of Purification (pp. xxi–xxii). [Back]
- Sih, Chapter III (Pali, pp. 8–12; French, second pagination, pp. 10–14). [Back]
- Dbu, p. 344. [Back]
- See The Path of Purification, Chapter I,135. [Back]
- See DB II, 39–41 (D, No. 14). Those who attain the third
stage of Awakening (Non-returners) can live in the Pure Abodes
(Suddhavasa) of the Brahma worlds long enough to encounter more than one
Buddha. Buddha Gotama recounts meeting Brahmas in the Pure Abodes who
confirm for him events that he recalls from the time of former Buddhas
(see D, n. 14 [DB, II 4–41, especially pp. 39–41] ). [Back] - D III 58–79, translated in DB III 59–76 and TS 347–370.
Miss Horner seems to overlook this when she says that there is no
mention in the Canon or Commentaries that Buddha Gotama made a
declaration of future Buddhahood for Metteyya (CB xvi). [Back] - See also GS I 142, where the Buddha says that these three things were already prevalent in his day. [Back]
- See CSM 391. [Back]
- As 27, see Expos. 35. [Back]
- Sp 1291. [Back]
- Mp IV 136f. [Back]
- Ven. Ledi Sayadaw (MB 169) calls these five thousand years the age of Ariyas (Noble Ones). [Back]
- Th-a III 89. [Back]
- See the commentary on A (Mp I 87), Moh 201–203, and the
extract from the Anag commentary (JPTS, 1886, pp. 33–36; translated in
BT 481–486). [Back] - The number of years is mentioned only in the Anag commentary. [Back]
- Some texts speak of three disappearances. See CPD under antaradhana for references. [Back]
- Dbk 55/120 says 82,000 years. [Back]
- Sv III 885f. [Back]
- JPTS, 1886, p. 41, n. 5. [Back]
- Dvp 125/132 says that after the human life span decreases to ten years, there will be seven intervening aeons (sattantara-kappa),
then the life span will increase to an incalculable, and when it has
decreased again to 80,000 years, the next Buddha will arise. [Back] - CSM 277. [Back]
- Spk III 390; cf. KS IV 60, n. 2. [Back]
- D III 75–77 (DB III 72–74; TS 365–368). [Back]
- This “Chronicle of the Future” is entirely devoted to the next Buddha. [Back]
- Dbk 55f., 61/120f., 127f.; Dbu 298–302, 306/338–341, 344. [Back]
- Dvp 125–127/132–134. [Back]
- D II 1–54 (DB II 4–41) (Mahapadana Suttanta). [Back]
- M sutta n. 123 (MLS III 163–169). [Back]
- CSM 428–430. [Back]
- CSM 389 mentions three such tumults and says the four guardian Devas will make the announcement of a Buddha. Illus. 130f. mentions five tumults and says the Brahmas of the Suddhavasa Brahma world announce a Buddha. [Back]
- According to Dbu he is conceived on the full-moon day of Asalha (June-July). [Back]
- According to Dvp 126/133. [Back]
- See Th-a I 502. From the Tusita world, she goes to the Tavatimsa world to hear the Abhidhamma. [Back]
- The translation of the first two diseases is based on the
commentary to D III 75 (Sv 855). Pj II 323 says these mean (1) the
craving which is a wish to be a Deva (Devapatthana-tanha), (2) hunger (khuda), and (3) the decay of old age (paripaka-jara). [Back] - Dbu 299/339. [Back]
- Anag vv 33–42. [Back]
- Anag vv 8, 15–20. [Back]
- Dbu 299/338 says one league wide. [Back]
- According to Dbu 106/344 a wishing tree will spring up
through the merit of the seven-days walk made by the Bodhisatta in the
past life when he went to see Buddha Sirimutta. [Back] - Not to be confused with the Bodhisatta Sankha. According to
Dbu, the future Sankha is a Deva named Maha-Nalakara (cf. D-t 43).
Nalakara was the name of Maha-Panada in the Tavatimsa Deva world (Ja IV
318–323). [Back] - The account in Ja No. 489 says the father became
Maha-Panada. Sv III 856 says it was the son and that the father is still
in the Deva worlds. D 43 gives his name as Nalakara (“the basket
maker”) which would mean both father and son had this name in the Deva
worlds. Dvp (119–127/126–134) gives their names as
Nava-khuddhaka-Nalakara (or Cula-Nalakara), meaning “the younger
Nalakara,” and Jetthaka-Nalakara (or Jettha-Nalakara), meaning “the
older Nalakara,” so that here too it is the father who will be the
future Sankha. [Back] - Sv Ill 856f. says that the palace has not disappeared
because of the meritorious act done by both the father and son in the
past. Thus, it awaits the future king, Sankha, to be enjoyed by him. [Back] - Anag vv 12–14. Cf. Th vv 163–164. [Back]
- In Dvp (125/132) his career as a Wheel-turning Monarch is
described as following the pattern for other Monarchs (see DPPN II
1343ff.). [Back] - Anag vv 27–32. [Back]
- Dbu 300/338. Th v 164: “6000 musicians danced there.” [Back]
- D III 75 (DB III 73). This is a common feature to all Wheel-turning Monarchs, see Sn p. 106 (GD 96). [Back]
- He will have the same name as the Bodhisatta in that life: Ajita (according to Dbu 300/338). [Back]
- Also mentioned in Vism chap. XIII, 127 and As 415 (Expos. 525). Dvp (126/133) gives the mother’s name as Pajapati. [Back]
- For the list of the 32 marks, see D I 17–19 (DB I 1416). The 80 minor marks are given in the introduction to Dbk. [Back]
- This is the only case in which a Bodhisatta is said to have
four rather than three palaces. As each of the three palaces were used
for one of the three seasons, we can surmise that there will be four
seasons during the time of the next Buddha. Dbu (300/339), and Dvp
(126/133) mention only three palaces. [Back] - Dbu (300/339) says 700,000. [Back]
- According to Dvp (126/132) she will be the chief consort out of 1,000 wives. [Back]
- Dbu 300/339f. [Back]
- Alternate reading: Vijjuttara. [Back]
- Usually named Beluva-pandu-vina. PED defines vina as a lute, but translates as “flute” (sic) under the entries panddu and beluva. [Back]
- Dvp 126f./134, Dbu 300f./340; Anag vv 100–103. [Back]
- Dbu says that from the root to the extremity of the
branches will be 200 feet plus 40 cubits. Anag says the trunk will
measure 2,000 cubits. [Back] - Anag v 100 says the pollen (of each bloom) will be enough to fill a nali measure. [Back]
- Vv 55–63. [Back]
- Alternate reading: Sangha and Sangha. [Back]
- Dvp (126f./134) says it will be at the park in Isipatana
near the city of Ketumatì. In this version, King Saòkha is present for
the First Sermon. [Back] - CSM 429, but cf. CB xxii. [Back]
- Dvp (127/134) says an incalculable. Dbu (301/340) says 100 crores of humans and an unlimited number of Devas. [Back]
- The twenty-five Buddhas described in the Buddhavamsa (including Buddha Gotama) are said to have three “penetrations.” [Back]
- In CSM (279), only Buddha Padumuttara is described as
having “Ehi bhikkhus” in a “penetration.” Many past Buddhas had such
bhikkhus in assemblies. [Back] - Buddhas generally have three assemblies, but Buddha Gotama
and the three Buddhas before him had only one each (D I 2–7 [DB I
6f.]). [Back] - Cf. CSM 180. [Back]
- Anag v 83. [Back]
- D III 76 (DB III 74). [Back]
- The last detail is added by the commentary (Sv 856). [Back]
- This paragraph is based on Anág vv 87–95. [Back]
- Sìh III v 20. [Back]
- Names of the chief disciples are found in Anag vv 97–99.
The commentary in BN 630/862 gives the information concerning Sankha
taking the bhikkhu name of Asoka. [Back] - Alternate reading in BN 630/862: Suddhana. [Back]
- Alternate reading: Sankha. [Back]
- Alternate reading: Sankha. These two pairs are identified as lay disciples in BN 630/862. [Back]
- Details in this paragraph are from Anág vv 112–123. [Back]
- CSM 428ff. [Back]
- Dbk 55/61, Dbu 301/340, Anág vv 105–109. [Back]
- Miss Horner says that a cubit (hattha) is the distance between the elbow and the tip of the extended middle finger (CB xxii). [Back]
- Dbk says 25 cubits broad and 25 cubits lengthwise. Dbu says 25 cubits thick. [Back]
- Dbu says 40 cubits. [Back]
- Dbu says from one shoulder to the other will be 25 cubits. [Back]
- Dbu says 15 cubits, but a variant reading gives 5. [Back]
- V 106. [Back]
- Usually given as a sign of a Deva or Yakkha. [Back]
- Dbu says 4. [Back]
- Dbu says 5. [Back]
- Dbk has “the circle of the face and ears” (trans.: “each auricle”). Dbk: kanna-mukha-mandalam; Dbu: mukha-mandalam. [Back]
- Dbu 301: avatta-unhisam. This mark is not entirely clear as it seems an exceptionally high figure. [Back]
- Dbk 55/120, Dbu 301/340. [Back]
- Anag v 109. [Back]
- Anag v 107, Dbk 61/128. [Back]
- Dbu 306/344. [Back]
- According to Dbu (106/344) he will shine both day and
night through the merit he acquired from the blood which flowed from his
legs and feet when he went to see Buddha Sirimata in a past life. [Back] - Dbk 120f./55, Dbu 301f./340. [Back]
- Details from Anág Vv 110f., Dbk 55/121, and Dbu 302/341. [Back]
- Dbk 61/128. [Back]
- Left out of the translation of Dbk (p. 55). [Back]
- Dbk translates “pollen of ten cubits” for dasa-dasa-sampanna nenu which should perhaps mean “filled with tens (of loads) of pollen” (Dbu has dasa-dasa-ammana-renuka, ammana meaning “a load”). The size of an ammana is not known precisely, but would be a large quantity. [Back]
- CSM 430. [Back]
- Anag v 134 [Back]
- 306/344. [Back]
- DB III 211. [Back]
- Vv 138–142. [Back]
- MB 176–172. Cf. Vism, chap. VIl, 30. [Back]
- See DB II 39–41. Buddha Gotama recounts how the Brahmás in the Suddhávása worlds told him about the six Buddhas before him. [Back]
- Sukkha-vipassaka, literally, “one who develops ‘dry’ insight.” [Back]
- Vism, chap. VII, 30f. For a discussion of these, see MLS II 20–25. [Back]
- Ven. Ledi Sayadaw says generosity is included here. [Back]
- See GS Ill 71–73. We discuss them in the order found there. The jhanas are added to the seven there. [Back]
- I wish to thank Mr. K.R. Norman for his help in translating the Anagatavamsa.
I am responsible, of course, for the final version and any mistakes in
it. I hope to prepare an edition with full critical apparatus, but this
will only be possible after the unpublished commentary has been examined
in detail. Mr Norman has revised this translation and published it with
his notes in the Journal of the Pali Text Society, Vol. XXVIII, pp. 19–37 (reprinted in his Collected Papers, Vol. VIII, pp. 242–60).—William Pruitt [Back] - See Culte, pp. 559–560, for the formula recited by
lay people in Sri Lanka and the exhortation of the bhikkhus to the lay
people to aspire to rebirth in the Deva worlds in their next life in
order to eventually encounter Metteyya, hear him preach, and attain
liberation. [Back]