Twenty eight Sammā Sambuddhas in Theravada Buddhism
By Dr. Ari Ubeysekara
Introduction
Buddhism is the teaching of the Lord Gautama Buddha who lived in Northern India during the sixth and fifth centuries BC. Gautama Buddha is described as a Sammā Sambuddha, one of three types of Buddhas according to Buddhism, the other two types being Pacceka or Private Buddha and Sāvaka or Disciple Buddha. Sammā Sambuddha means the ‘Perfectly Enlightened One’, sammā = perfectly; saṁ = by himself without a teacher; buddha = Enlightened or Awakened One, by realisation of the four Noble Truths. Following one’s own full enlightenment, a Sammā Sambuddha, through compassion for other beings, is able to teach and guide others to attain enlightenment and escape from the cycle of death and rebirth (samsāra). A Pacceka or a Private Buddha also attains full enlightenment by realising the four Noble Truths through their own effort with no assistance from any teacher, but is unable to teach or guide others through the path of liberation. A Sāvaka or Disciple Buddha also known as Arahant, is one who attains enlightenment through the realisation of the four Noble Truths by following the Sammā Sambuddha’s teaching.
The four Noble Truths that a Buddha realises during the process of enlightenment are:
- The Truth of universal suffering (dukkha sacca)
- The Truth of the origin of suffering (samudaya sacca)
- The Truth of the cessation of suffering (nirodha sacca)
- The Truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering (magga sacca)
The fourth Noble Truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering is known as the Middle Path or the Noble Eight-fold Path.
The Noble Eight-fold Path
- Right view (sammā ditthi)
- Right intention (sammā sankappa)
- Right speech (sammā vācā)
- Right action (sammā kammantha)
- Right livelihood (sammā ājīva)
- Right effort (sammā vāyāma)
- Right mindfulness (sammā sati)
- Right concentration (sammā samādhi)
In Buddhist cosmology, a “kappa” or an “aeon” has been described as the unit of basic cosmic time. The kappa may also be considered as the “great kappa” or “mahā kappa” mentioned in the scriptures, meaning the duration of a world cycle from it’s origin to the complete destruction. As a kappa is an extremely long time which could not be measured in human years, the Buddha has described two similes to indicate it’s length. In the first simile, if there was a rocky mountain one yojana tall, one yojana wide and one yojana across and a man strikes it with a fine silk cloth once every one hundred years, the rocky mountain will wear away completely before the end of one kappa. In the second simile, if there was an iron walled container one yojana tall, one yojana wide and one yojana across filled with mustard seeds and a man were to remove one mustard seed once every one hundred years, the container will be empty of the mustard seeds before the end of one kappa.
According to Buddhist scriptures, there have been four Sammā Sambuddhas including Lord Gautama Buddha in the present world cycle, and a fifth Sammā Sambuddha named Maithriya is expected to appear sometime in the future. It has also been mentioned that innumerable numbers of Sammā Sambuddhas may have appeared in the world during the past world cycles. Of them, at least twenty eight Sammā Sambuddhas have been named in the Buddhist scriptures. Buddhavamsa, which is also known as “The Lineage of Buddhas”, is the fourteenth of the fifteen books in the collection of the Buddha’s minor discourses (Khuddaka Nikāya). In the Buddhavamsa, Lord Gautama Buddha has described the details of twenty four previous Sammā Sambuddhas that the Buddha has met from the time his firm resolve was made to become a future Sammā Sambuddha. According to the Buddhist scriptures, the Buddha aspirant was an ascetic named Sumedha during the time of a previous Sammā Sambuddha named Dīpankara in whose presence the firm resolve was made. Following their meeting, Dīpankara Buddha had prophesied that ascetic Sumedha’s resolve will be fulfilled in four asankheyyas and one hundred thousand aeons by becoming a Sammā Sambuddha named Gautama.
In the Buddhavamsa, there are details of twenty five Sammā Sambuddhas including Gautama Buddha. The twenty eight Sammā Sambuddhas mentioned in the Buddhist literature include those twenty five Sammā Sambuddhas as well as the three Sammā Sambuddhas who existed in the same world cycle as Dīpankara Buddha, but whom the Gautama Buddha aspirant (Bodhisatta) has not personally met. They are Tanhankara Buddha, Medhankara Buddha and Saranankara Buddha. Only brief information could be accessed regarding those three Sammā Sambuddhas while the Buddhavamsa gives much more information about the remaining twenty five Sammā Sambuddhas.
1.Tanhankara Buddha
Tanhankara Buddha appeared in an aeon known as the Sāramanda kalpa. He was the first of four Sammā Sambuddhas to appear in that aeon followed by Medhankara Buddha, Saranankara Buddha and Dīpankara Buddha. Tanhankara Bodhisatta (Buddha aspirant) was born in the city of Puphavedi as the son of King Sunanda and Queen Sunandā. He had cultivated the perfections for a period of sixteen asankeyyas and one hundred thousand aeons to fulfil his resolve to become a Sammā Sambuddha. He became the king and ruled for ten thousand years but when his son was born, he gave up the kingdom and became an ascetic. A week later he became enlightened while meditating under the tree named Rukkatthana. Tanhankara Buddha lived for 100,000 years.
2. Medhankara Buddha
Medhankara Buddha was the second Sammā Sambuddha to appear in the Sāramanda kalpa, preceded by Tanhankara Buddha and followed by Saranankara Buddha. Medhankara Bodhisatta was born in the city of Yaghara as the son of King Sudeva and Queen Yasodharā. He succeeded his father to become the king and ruled for 8000 years. Having witnessed the four sights of an old man, a sick man, a dead body and an ascetic, he became disenchanted and wanted to become an ascetic to find a way out of suffering. So, as soon as his son was born, he left the palace to become an ascetic and to cultivate his spiritual practice in the forest. He was able to attain enlightenment fifteen days later while meditating under a Kimsuka tree (Butea monosperma). Medhankara Buddha lived for 90,000 years.
3. Saranankara Buddha
The third Sammā Sambuddha to appear in the Sāramanda kalpa was Saranankara Buddha who was preceded by Medhankara Buddha and was followed by Dīpankara Buddha. Saranankara Bodhisatta was born in the city of Vipula as the son of King Sumangala and Queen Yasawathi. He succeeded his father as the king and ruled for 7000 years. While ruling the country, he witnessed the four sights and decided to leave the householder’s life to become an ascetic. As soon as his son was born, he left the palace and became a homeless ascetic. A month later, he gained enlightenment while meditating under a mangrove trumpet tree (dolichandrone spathacea). Saranankara Buddha lived for 90,000 years.
4. Dīpankara Buddha
Dīpankara Buddha was the fourth and the last Sammā Sambuddha to appear in the Sāramanda kalpa preceded by Saranankara Buddha. Dīpankara Bodhisatta was born in the city of Rammavati as the son of King Sudeva and Queen Sumedhā. He enjoyed royal comforts and had three palaces for the three seasons named Hamsā, Koncā and Mayurā. His chief consort was Padumā devi and they had a son named Usabhakkhanda. He ruled his kingdom for 10,000 years. After witnessing the four sights, he became disenchanted and left the palace on an elephant to become a homeless ascetic. He gained enlightenment after ten months while meditating under the Pipphala tree. At the request of a celestial Brahma, He delivered the first sermon in the Nanda Park in Sirighara. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Sumangala and Ven. Tissa while the two female chief disciples were Nandā theri and Sunandā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Sāgata. Following a meeting with Ascetic Sumedha, it was Dīpankara Buddha who prophesied that Sumedha will become a future Sammā Sambuddha named Gautama. Having lived the life span of 100,000 years, Dīpankara Buddha passed away in the Nanda Park.
5. Kondañña Buddha
Following the passing away of Dīpankara Buddha, there were an innumerable number of aeons with no Sammā Sambuddha until the appearance of Kondañña Buddha who was the only Sammā Sambuddha to appear in that aeon. Kondañña Bhodisatta was born in the city of Rammavati as the son of King Sunanda and Queen Sujāthā. He was named Kondañña as they belonged to the clan called Kondañña. He had three palaces for the three seasons named Ruchi, Suruchi and Subha. His chief consort was Ruchi devi and they had a son named Vijitasena. He enjoyed the royal life for 10,000 years but having witnessed the four sights, he became disenchanted and left the palace by a chariot drawn by four thoroughbred horses to become a homeless ascetic. He gained enlightenment after ten months while meditating under the Sāla tree. Following an invitation by the Brahma to preach the Dhamma, the first sermon was delivered at the Divine Grove (Devavana) in Arundavati. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Bhadda and Ven. Subhadda while the two female chief disciples were Tissā theri and Upatissā theri. The Buddha’s chief attendant was Ven. Anuruddha. Having lived the life span of 100,000 years, Kondañña Buddha passed away in the Canda Park.
6. Mangala Buddha
Following Kondañña Buddha, there were an innumerable number of aeons with no Sammā Sambuddha until the appearance of Mangala Sammā Sambuddha as the first of four Sammā Sambuddhas in that aeon. Mangala Bodhisatta was born in the city of Uttara as the son of King Uttara and Queen Uttarā. He enjoyed royal comforts while living in the three palaces named Yasavā, Sicimā and Sirimā. His chief consort was Yasadevi and they had a son a named Sīvala. He was a ruler for 9000 years but became disenchanted after witnessing the four sights. He left the palace on a well decorated thoroughbred horse named Pandara and became a homeless ascetic. He gained enlightenment after eight months while meditating under the Nāga tree. At the invitation by a Brahma, Mangala Buddha delivered the first sermon in Sirivā. The two male chief disciples were named Ven. Sudeva and Ven. Dhammasena while the two female chief disciples were named Sivalā theri and Asokā theri. Ven. Pālitha was Mangala Buddha’s chief attendant. Having lived the life span of 90,000 years, Mangala Buddha passed away in the Uttara Park.
7. Sumana Buddha
Sumana Buddha was the second Sammā Sambuddha to appear in an aeon with four Sammā Sambuddhas, preceded by Mangala Buddha and followed by Revata Buddha and Sobhita Buddha. Sumana Bodhisatta was born in the city of Mekhala and his parents were King Sudatta and Queen Sirimā. He had three seasonal palaces named Canda, Suchanda and Vatamsa. His chief consort was Vatamsikā and they had a son named Anupama. He ruled his kingdom for 9000 years but became disenchanted after witnessing the four sights. He left the palace riding on an elephant to become a homeless ascetic and became enlightened after ten months while meditating under a Nāga tree. Following a request by the Brahma, Sumana Buddha delivered the first sermon in the city of Mekhala. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Sarana and Ven. Bhavitatta while the two female chief disciples were Sonā theri and Upasonā theri. Ven. Udena was the chief attendant. Having lived the life span of 90,000 years, Sumana Buddha passed away in the Anga Park.
8. Revata Buddha
Revata Buddha was the third Sammā Sambuddha to appear in that aeon preceded by Sumana Buddha and followed by Sobhita Buddha. Revata Bodhisatta was born as the son of King Vipula and Queen Vipulā in the city of Sudhanna. His chief consort was Princess Sudassanā and they enjoyed royal comforts in the three palaces named Sudassana, Ratanagghi and Āvela. He ruled for 6000 years but having witnessed the four sights, he became disenchanted and on the day that their son Varuna was born, he left the palace by a chariot and became a homeless ascetic. After seven months, he became enlightened while meditating under a Nāga tree. The first sermon was delivered in Varuna Park in Sirighana. His two male chief disciples were Ven. Varuna and Ven. Brahmadeva while the two female chief disciples were Bhaddā theri and Subhaddā theri. Ven. Sambhava was the Buddha’s chief attendant. Having lived the life span of 60,000 years, Revata Buddha passed away in the Nāga Grove.
9. Sobhita Buddha
Sobhita Buddha was the fourth and the last Sammā Sambuddha to appear in that aeon. Sobhita Bodhisatta was born in the city of Sudhamma as the son of King Sudhamma and Queen Sudhammā. His chief consort was Manilā and they had a son named Sīha. They had three palaces named Kumuda, Nālina and Paduma. He reigned for 9000 years and after witnessing the four sights, he became disenchanted and left the palace to become an ascetic. He attained enlightenment after seven days while meditating under a Nāga tree. Following a request by the Brahma, the first sermon was delivered in the Sudhamma pleasure park. Sobhita Buddha’s two male chief disciples were Ven. Asama and Ven. Sunetta while the two female chief disciples were Nakulā theri and Sujātā theri. The chief attendant to the Buddha was Ven. Anoma. Having lived the life span of 90,000 years, Sobhita Buddha passed away in the Sīha Park.
10. Anomadassi Buddha
Following the passing away of Sobhita Buddha, there were an incalculable number of aeons with no appearance of a Sammā Sambuddha. Then an aeon came in which three Sammā Sambuddhas appeared named Anomadassi, Paduma and Nārada. Anomadassi Bodhisatta was born in the city of Candavati as the son of King Yasava and Queen Yasodharā. His chief consort was Princess Sirimā and their son was named Prince Upavāna. He had three seasonal palaces named Siri, Upasiri and Vaddha. After ruling his country for 10,000 years, he witnessed the four sights and decided to become an ascetic. He left the palace on a golden palanquin and became a homeless ascetic. He gained enlightenment ten months later while meditating under the Ajjuna tree. Anomadassi Buddha delivered the first sermon in the Sudassana Park near Subhavatī to an audience of deities and humans. Ven. Nisabha and Ven. Anoma were the two male chief disciples while Sundari theri and Sumanā theri were the two female chief disciples. The chief attendant was Ven. Varuna. Having lived the life span of 100,000 years, Anomadassi Buddha passed away in the Dhamma Park.
11. Paduma Buddha
Paduma Buddha appeared as the second Sammā Sambuddha in the same aeon preceded by Anomadassi Buddha and followed by Nārada Buddha. Paduma Bodhisatta was born in the city of Campaka as the son of King Asama and Queen Asamā. His chief consort was Princess Uttarā and their son was named Prince Ramma. They had three palaces named Nanduttara, Vasuttara and Yasuttara. After ruling his country for 10,000 years, he became disenchanted after witnessing the four sights and left the palace on a chariot to become an ascetic. After eight months of striving, he gained enlightenment while meditating under the Great Sona tree. At the request of the Brahma, the first sermon was delivered in the Dhananja Park. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Sāla and Ven. Upasāla while the two female chief disciples were Rādhā theri and Surādhā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Varuna. Having lived the life span of 100,000 years, Paduma Buddha passed away in the Dhamma Park.
12. Nārada Buddha
Nārada Buddha appeared as the third Sammā Sambuddha in the same aeon preceded by Anomadassi Buddha and Paduma Buddha. Nārada Bodhisatta was born in the city named Dhannavati and his parents were King Sudeva and Queen Anomā. His chief consort was Princess Vijitasenā and they had a son named Prince Nanduttara. They had three palaces named Jitā, Vijitā and Abhirāmā. He reigned for 9000 years and after witnessing the four sights, left the palace on foot to become an ascetic. After striving only for seven days, he gained enlightenment while meditating under the Great Sona tree. The first sermon was delivered in the Dhananja Park. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Bhaddasāla and Ven. Jitamitta while the two female chief disciples were Uttarā theri and Phagguni theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Vāsettha. Having lived the life span of 90,000 years, Nārada Buddha passed away in the Sudassana city.
13. Padumuttara Buddha
Following the passing away of Nārada Buddha, there were an innumerable number of aeons with no Sammā Sambuddha until the appearance of Padumuttara Buddha who was the only Sammā Sambuddha to appear in that aeon. Padumuttara Bodhisatta was born in the city of Hamsavati as the son of King Ānanda and Queen Sujātā. His chief consort was Princess Vasudattā and they had a son named Prince Uttara. Their three palaces were Naravāhana, Yasavāhana and Vasavatti. He ruled his kingdom for 10,000 years and after witnessing the four sights, he became disenchanted and left the palace to become an ascetic. After striving for seven days, he gained enlightenment while meditating under the Salala tree. The Buddha delivered the first sermon in the Mithila pleasure park. His two male chief disciples were Ven. Devala and Ven. Sujāta while the two female chief disciples were Amitā theri and Asamā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Sumana. Having lived the life span of 100,000 years, Padumuttara Buddha passed away in the Nanda Park.
14. Sumedha Buddha
Following the passing away of Padumuttara Buddha, there were an innumerable number of aeons with no Sammā Sambuddha, until the appearance of Sumedha Buddha as the first of the two Samma Sambuddhas to appear in that aeon. Sumedha Bodhisatta was born in the city of Sudassana as the son of King Sudatta and Queen Sudattā. His three palaces were Sucanda, Kāncana and Sirivaddha. His chief consort was Princess Sumanā and they had a son named Prince Punabbāsu. After ruling his kingdom for 9000 years, he witnessed the four sights and left the palace on an elephant to become a homeless ascetic. After striving for fifteen days, he gained enlightenment while meditating under the Great Nipa tree. The first sermon was delivered at the Sudassana Park following a request from the Brahma. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Sarana and Ven. Sabbakāma while the two female chief disciples were Rāmā theri and Surāmā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Sāgara. Having lived the life span of 90,000 years, Sumedha Buddha passed away in the Medha Park.
15. Sujāta Buddha
Sujāta Buddha was the second Sammā Sambuddha to appear in the same aeon preceded by Sumedha Buddha. Sujāta Bhodisatta was born in the city of Sumangala and his parents were King Uggata and Queen Pabhāvati. The three palaces were Siri, Upasiri and Nanda. The chief consort was Princess Sirinandā and their son was Prince Upasena. After a reign of 9000 years, there was the witnessing of the four sights following which he left the palace on a horse back to become an ascetic. After striving for nine months, he gained enlightenment while meditating under the Mahavelu tree. The first sermon was delivered in the Sumangala pleasure park. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Sudassana and Ven. Deva while the two female chief disciples were Nāgā theri and Nāgasamālā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Nārada. Having lived the life span of 90,000 years, Sujāta Buddha passed away in the Sīla Park.
16. Piyadassi Buddha
Following the passing away of Sujāta Buddha, there were an incalculable number of aeons with no appearance of a Sammā Sambuddha. Then an aeon came in which three Sammā Sambuddhas appeared named Piyadassi, Atthadassi and Dhammadassi. Piyadassi Bodhisatta was born in the city of Sudhanna as the son of King Sudatta and Queen Sucandā. He had three palaces named Sunimmala, Vimala and Giriguyhā. The chief consort was Princess Vimalā with whom he had a son named Prince Kancanavela. After ruling the country for 9000 years, he witnessed the four sights and left the palace by a chariot to become a homeless ascetic. He gained enlightenment after six months while meditating under the Kakudha tree. Following a request by the Brahma, Piyadassi Buddha delivered the first sermon in the Usabha pleasure park. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Pālita and Ven. Sabbadassin while the two female chief disciples were Sujātā theri and Dhammadinnā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Sobhita. Having lived the life span of 90,000 years, Piyadassi Buddha passed away in the Assattha Park.
17. Atthadassi Buddha
Atthadassi Buddha appeared as the second Sammā Sambuddha in the same aeon as Piyadassi and Dhammadassi Buddhas. Atthadassi Bodhisatta was born in the city named Sobhana as the son of King Sāgara and Queen Sudassanā. His three palaces were Amaragiri, Suragiri and Girivāhana. His chief consort was Princess Visākhā and they had a son named Sela. He ruled his kingdom for 10,000 years. Having witnessed the four sights, he became disenchanted and left the palace on a horseback to become an ascetic. After striving for eight months, he gained enlightenment while meditating under the Campaka tree. The first sermon was delivered in the Anoma pleasure garden. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Santa and Ven. Upasanta while the two female chief disciples were Dhammā theri and Sudhammā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Abhaya. Having lived the life span of 100,000 years, Atthadassi Buddha passed away in the Anoma Park.
18. Dhammadassi Buddha
Dhammadassi Buddha was the third Sammā Sambuddha to appear in the same aeon with Piyadassi and Atthadassi buddhas who preceded him. Dhammadassi Bodhisatta was born in the city of Sarana and his parents were King Sarana and Queen Sunandā. His three palaces were Araja, Viraja and Sudassana. His chief consort was Princess Vicikoli and they had a son named Prince Punnavaddhana. He ruled his kingdom for 8000 years before witnessing the four sights and leaving the palace to become an ascetic. After striving for seven days, he gained enlightenment while meditating under the Mimbijāla Tree. The first sermon was delivered at the Deer Park. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Paduma and Ven. Phussadeva while the two female chief disciples were Khemā theri and Saccanāmā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Sunetta. Having lived the life span of 100,000 years, Dhammadassi Buddha passed away in the Kesa Park.
19. Siddhattha Buddha
Following the passing away of Dhammadassi Buddha, there were an innumerable number of aeons with no Sammā Sambuddha until the appearance of Siddhattha Buddha who was the only Sammā Sambuddha to appear in that aeon. Siddhattha Bodhisatta was born in the city named Vebhāra as the son of King Udena and Queen Suphassā. He had three palaces named Kokā, Suppalā and Kokanudā. His chief consort was Princess Somanassā and their son was named Prince Anupama. After ruling his country for 10,000 years, he witnessed the four sights and left the palace on a palanquin to become an ascetic. He strived for ten months before gaining enlightenment while meditating under the Kanikāra Tree. The first sermon was delivered in the Deer Park. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Sambala and Ven. Sumitta while the two female chief disciples were Sivalā theri and Surāmā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Revata. Having lived the life span of 100,000 years, Siddhattha Buddha passed away in the Anoma Park.
20.Tissa Buddha
Following the passing away of Siddhattha Buddha, there were an incalculable number of aeons with no appearance of a Sammā Sambuddha. Then an aeon came in which two Sammā Sambuddhas appeared named Tissa and Phussa. Tissa Bodhisatta was born in the city of Khemaka as the son of King Janasanda and Queen Padumā. His three palaces were Guhasela, Nāri and Nisabhā. His chief consort was Princess Subhaddā and they had a son a named Prince Ānanda. After ruling his kingdom for 7000 years he witnessed the four sights and left the palace on a thoroughbred horse named Sonuttara to become an ascetic. After striving for eight months, he gained enlightenment while meditating under the Asana tree. The first sermon was delivered in the Deer Park near Yasavati. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Brahmadeva and Ven. Udaya while the two female chief disciples were Phussā theri and Sudattā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Samanga. Having lived the life span of 100,000 years, Tissa Buddha passed away in the Nanda Park.
21. Phussa Buddha
Phussa Buddha appeared as the second Sammā Sambuddha in the same aeon preceded by Tissa Buddha. Phussa Bodhisatta was born in the city of Kāsika as the son of King Jayasena and Queen Sirimā. He had three palaces named Carula, Hamsa and Suvannabhārā. His chief consort was Princess Kisāgotami and they had a son named Prince Anupama. He ruled his kingdom for 9000 years and after having witnessed the four sights, became disenchanted and left the palace on an elephant to become a homeless ascetic. He strived for six months before gaining enlightenment while meditating under the Āmanda Tree. Phussa Buddha delivered the first sermon in the Deer Park near the city of Sankassa. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Surakkhita and Ven. Dhammasena while the two female chief disciples were Cālā theri and Upacāḷā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Sabhiya. Having lived the life span of 90,000 years, Phussa Buddha passed away in the Sena Park.
22.Vipassi Buddha
Following the passing away of Phussa Buddha, there were an innumerable number of aeons with no Sammā Sambuddha until the appearance of Vipassi Buddha who was the only Sammā Sambuddha to appear in that aeon. Vipassi Bodhisatta was born in the city named Bandumati and his parents were King Bhanduma and Queen Bhandumati. He had three palaces named Nanda, Sunanda and Sirimā. Following a reign of 8000 years, he witnessed the four sights and decided to become an ascetic. He left the palace by riding in a chariot to become a homeless ascetic. After striving for eight months, he gained enlightenment while meditating under the Pātalī Tree. The first sermon was delivered in the Deer Park called Khema. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Khanda and Ven. Tissa while the two female chief disciples were Candā theri and Candamittā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Asoka. Having lived the life span of 80,000 years, Vipassi Buddha passed away in the Sumitta Park.
23. Sikhi Buddha
Following the passing away of Vipassi Buddha, there were an incalculable number of aeons with no appearance of a Sammā Sambuddha. Then an aeon came in which two Sammā Sambuddhas appeared named Sikhi and Vessabhū. Sikhi Bodhisatta was born in the city of Arunavati as the son of King Aruna and Queen Pabhavati. He had three palaces named Sucanda, Giri and Vaahana. His chief consort was Princess Sabbakāmā with whom he had a son named Prince Atula. Having ruled his kingdom for 7000 years, he became disenchanted after witnessing the four sights. He left the palace on an elephant and became a homeless ascetic. After striving for eight months, he gained enlightenment while meditating under the Pundarika Tree. The first sermon was delivered in the Migājina Park near the city of Arunavati. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Abhibhu and Ven. Sambhava while the two female chief disciples were Makhilā theri and Padumā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Khemankara. Having lived the life span of 70,000 years, Sikhi Buddha passed away in the Dussa Park.
24.Vesabhū Buddha
Vessabhū Buddha was the second Samma Sambuddha to appear in the same aeon preceded by Sikhi Buddha. Vesabhū Bodhisatta was born in the city of Anoma as the son of King Suppatita and Queen Yasavati. He had three palaces named Ruci, Suruci and Rativaddhana. His chief consort was Princess Sucittā and they had a son named Suppabuddha. Having ruled his kingdom for 6000 years, he witnessed the four sights and left the palace on a golden palanquin to become an ascetic. He strove for six months before gaining enlightenment while meditating under the Great Sala Tree. Vessabhū Buddha delivered the first sermon in the Aruna Park. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Sona and Ven. Uttara while the two female chief disciples were Dāmā theri and Samālā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Upasanta. Having lived the life span of 60,000 years, Vessabhū Buddha passed away in the Khema Park.
Following the passing away of Vessabhū Buddha, there were an incalculable number of aeons with no appearance of a Sammā Sambuddha. The present aeon known as the Bhadda kalpa is a unique kalpa with the appearance of five Sammā Sambuddhas. Four of them have already appeared namely: Kakusanda Buddha, Konāgamana Buddha, Kassapa Buddha and Gautama Buddha. The fifth Sammā Sambuddha named Maithriya Buddha is expected to appear sometime in the future.
25.Kakusanda Buddha
Kakusanda Bodhisatta was born in the city of Khemavati as the son of brahmin Aggidatta and his wife Visākhā. He had three palaces named Kāma, Kāmavanna and Kāmasuddhi. His wife was named Virocamānā and they had a son named Uttara. He was a householder for 4000 years before witnessing the four sights and leaving home by a chariot to become an ascetic. After striving for eight months, he gained enlightenment while meditating under the Sirisa Tree. The first sermon was delivered at the Deer park near the town of Makila. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Vidura and Ven. Sanjīva while the two female chief disciples were Sāmā theri and Campā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Buddhija. Having lived the life span of 40,000 years, Kakusanda Buddha passed away in the Khema Park.
26. Konāgamana Buddha
Konāgamana Buddha was the second Sammā Sambuddha to appear in the present Bhadda kalpa. Konāgamana Bodhisatta was born in the city named Sobhavati as the son of the brahmin Yaññadatta and his wife Uttarā. He had three palaces named Tusita, Santusita and Santuttha. His wife was named Rucigattā and they had a son named Satthavāha. Having lived as a householder for 3000 years, he witnessed the four sights and left his house on an elephant to become an ascetic. After a six month period of striving, he gained enlightenment while meditating under the Udumbrā Tree. The first sermon was delivered at the Deer Park near the city of Sudassana. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Bhiyyasa and Ven. Uttara while the two female chief disciples were Samuddā theri and Uttarā theri. The chief attendant was Ven. Sotthija. Having lived the life span of 30,000 years, Konāgamana Buddha passed away in the Pabbata Park.
27. Kassapa Buddha
Kassapa Buddha was the third Sammā Sambuddha to appear in the present Bhadda kalpa. Kassap Bodhisatta was born in the city of Baranasi. His father was the brahmin Brahmadatta and his mother was named Dhanavati. He had three palaces named Hamsa, Yasa and Sirinanda. His wife was Sunandā and they had a son named Vijitasena. He was a householder for 2000 years before he witnessed the four sights and left home to become an ascetic. After striving for seven days, he gained enlightenment while meditating under the Nigrodha Tree. His first sermon was delivered at the Deer Park near the city of Baranasi. His two male chief disciples were Vern. Tissa and Ven. Bhāradvāja while the two female chief disciples were Anulā theri and Uruvelā theri. Having lived the life span of 20,000 years, Kassapa Budda passed away in the Setavya Park.
28. Gautama Buddha
Gautama Buddha was the fourth Sammā Sambuddha to appear in the present Bhadda kalpa and whose Buddha dispensation exits today. Gautama Bodhisatta was born in the City of Kapilavatthu as the son of King Suddhodana and Queen Mahāmāyā. His three palaces were Ramya, Suramya and Subha. His chief consort was Princess Yasodharā and they had a son named Prince Rāhula. He spent 29 years as a householder before witnessing the four sights. He left his palace on a horseback to become a homeless ascetic. After striving for six years, he gained enlightenment under the Assattha Tree. The first sermon was delivered at the Deer Park near Baranasi. The two male chief disciples were Ven. Sāriputta and Ven Mahā Moggallāna while the two female chief disciples were Khemā theri and Uppalavannā theri. Chief attendant was Ven. Ānanda. The life span at that time was 120 years. Gautama Buddha lived for 80 years and passed away in the Sal Grove in Kusinārā.
References
- http://dhammadownload.com/File-Library/MinGunSayadawGyi/MinGunSayadawGyi-TGC-V1P2.pdf
- https://tipitaka.fandom.com/wiki/Buddhavamsa
End.
drarisworld 