The last of the twenty-five Buddhas.
No comprehensive account of Gotama Buddha is as yet possible. The details given in this article are those generally accepted by orthodox Theravádins and contained in their books, chiefly the Páli Commentaries, more especially the Nidánakathá of the Játaka and the Buddhavamsa Commentary.
Biographical details are also found in the Mahá Vagga and the Culla Vagga of the Vinaya Pitaka, the Buddhavamsa and in various scattered passages of the Nikayas of the Sutta Pitaka. References to these are given where considered useful. Controversy exists with regard to many of the matters mentioned; for discussion of the varying views regarding these, reference should be made to the works of Oldenberg, Rhys Davids (both Professor and Mrs. Rhys Davids), Kern, E. J. Thomas and other scholars. Further particulars of persons and places mentioned can be obtained by reference to the articles under the respective names.
He was a Sákiyan (the Sákiyans were evidently subjects of the Kosala king; the Buddha calls himself a Kosalan, M.ii.124), son of Suddhodana (all Páli Commentaries and Sanskrit works represent the Buddha as the son of a king, descendant of a long line of famous ancestors), chief ruler of Kapilavatthu, and of Mahá Máyá, Suddhodana's chief consort, and he belonged to the Gotama-gotta. Before his conception he was in the Tusita heaven, waiting for the due time for his birth in his last existence. Then, having made the "five investigations" (pańcavilolcanáni) (see Buddha), he took leave of his companions and descended to earth. (According to the Lalitavistara he appointed the Bodhisatta Maitreya as king of Tusita in his place). Many wondrous and marvellous events attended his conception and birth. (Given in the Acchariyabbhutadhamma Sutta, M.iii.118f; also D.ii.12f. A more detailed account is found in J.i.47ff; both the Lai. and the Mtu.ii.14ff differ as to the details given here of the conception and the birth).
The conception takes place on the full-moon day of Ásálha, with the moon in Uttarásálha, and Maya has no relations with her husband. She has a marvellous dream in which the Bodhisatta, as a white elephant, enters her womb through her side. When the dream is mentioned to the brahmins, they foretell the birth of a son who will be either a universal monarch or a Buddha. An earthquake takes place and thirty-two signs appear, presaging the birth of a great being. The first of these signs is a boundless, great light, flooding every corner of the ten thousand worlds; everyone beholds its glory, even the fires in all hells being extinguished. Ten months after the conception, in the month of Visákha, Máyá wishes to visit her parents in Devadaha. On the way thither from Kapilavatthu she passes the beautiful Lumbini grove, in which she desires to wander; she goes to a great sála-tree and seizes a branch in her hand; labour pains start immediately, and, when the courtiers retire, having drawn a curtain round her, even while standing, she is delivered of the child. It is the day of the full moon of Visákha; four Mahábrahmas receive the babe in a golden net, and streams of water descend from the sky to wash him. The boy stands on the earth, takes seven steps north-wards and utters his lion-roar, "I am the chief in the world." On the same day seven other beings were born: the Bodhi-tree, Ráhula's mother (Ráhulamátá, his future wife), the four Treasure-Troves (described at DA.i.284), his elephant, his horse Kanthaka, his charioteer Channa, and Káludáyí. The babe is escorted back to Kapilavatthu on the day of his birth and his mother dies seven days later.
The isi Asita (or Káladevala), meditating in the Himálaya, learns from the Távatimsa gods of the birth of the Buddha, visits Suddhodana the same day and sees the boy, whom they both worship. Asita weeps for sorrow that he will not live to see the boy's Buddhahood, but he instructs his nephew Nálaka (v.l. Naradatta) to prepare himself for that great day. On the fifth day after the birth is the ceremony of name-giving. One hundred and eight brahmins are invited to the festival at the palace; eight of them - Ráma, Dhaja, Lakkhana, Manti, Kondańńa, Bhoja, Suyáma and Sudatta - are interpreters of bodily marks, and all except Kondańńa prophesy two possibilities for the boy; but Kondańńa, the youngest, says, quite decisively, that he will be a Buddha. The name given to the boy at this ceremony is not actually mentioned, but from other passages it is inferred that it was Siddhattha (q.v.).
Among other incidents recounted of the Buddha's boyhood is that of his attaining the first jhána under a jambu-tree. One day he is taken to the state ploughing of the king where Suddhodana himself, with his golden plough, ploughs with the farmers. The nurses, attracted by the festivities, leave the child under a jambu-tree. They return to find him seated, cross-legged, in a trance, the shadow of the tree remaining still, in order to protect him. The king is informed and, for the second time, does reverence to his son. J.i.57f; MA.i.466f; the incident is alluded to in the Mahá Saccaka Sutta (M.i.246); the corresponding incident recounted in Mtu. (ii.45f.) takes place in a park, and the, details differ completely. The Lai. has two versions, one in prose and one in verse and both resemble the Mtu.; but in these the Buddha is represented as being much older. The Divy (391) and the Tibetan versions (e.g., Rockhill, p.22) put the incident very much later in the Buddha's life. Other incidents are given in Lai. and Mtu.
The Bodhisatta is reported to have lived in the household for twenty-nine years a life of great luxury and excessive ease, surrounded by all imaginable comforts. He owns three palaces - Ramma, Suramma and Subha - for the three seasons. Mention is made of his luxurious life in A.i.145; also in M.i.504; further details are given in AA.i.378f.; J.i.58. See also Mtu.ii.115; cf. Vin.i.15; D.ii.21.
When the Bodhisatta is sixteen years old, Suddhodana sends messengers to the Sákyans asking that his son be allowed to seek a wife from among their daughters; but the Sákyans are reluctant to send them, for, they say, though the young man is hand-some, he knows no art; how, then, can he support a wife? When this is reported to the prince, he summons an assembly of the Sákyans and performs various feats, chief of these being twelve feats with a bow which needs the strength of one thousand men. (The feats with the bow are described in the Sarabhanga Játaka, J.v.129f ). The Sákyans are so impressed that each sends him a daughter, the total number so sent being forty thousand. The Bodhisatta appoints as his chief wife the daughter of Suppabuddha, who, later, comes to be called Ráhulamátá. She is known under various names: Bhaddakaccá (or Kaccáná), Yasodhará. Bimbá, Bimbasundarí and Gopá. For a discussion see Ráhulamátá.
According to the generally accepted account, Gotama is twenty-nine when the incidents occur which lead to final renunciation. Following the prophecy of the eight brahmins, his father had taken every precaution that his son should see no sign of old age, sickness or death. But the gods decide that the time is come for the Enlightenment, and instil into Gotama's heart a desire to go into the park. On the way, the gods put before him a man showing signs of extreme age, and the Bodhisatta returns, filled with desire for renunciation. The king, learning this, surrounds him with even greater attractions, but on two other days Gotama goes to the park and the gods put before him a sick man and a corpse. (According to some accounts, e.g. that of the Díghabhánakas, the four omens were all seen on the same day, J.i.59)
On the full-moon day of Ásálha, the day appointed for the Great Renunciation, Gotama sees a monk and hears from his charioteer praise of the ascetic life. Feeling very happy, he goes to the park to enjoy himself. Sakka sends Vissakamma himself to bathe and adorn him, and as Gotama returns to the city in all his majesty, he receives news of the birth of his son. Foreseeing in this news a bond, he decides to call the babe Ráhula (q.v.). Kisá Gotamí (q.v.) sees Gotama on the way to the palace and, filled with longing for him, sings to him a song containing the word nibbuta. The significance of the word (=extinguished, at peace) thrills him, and he sends to Kisá his priceless gold necklace which she, however, accepts as a token of love. Gotama enters the palace and sleeps. He wakes in the middle of the night to find his female musicians sleeping in attitudes which fill him with disgust and with loathing for the worldly life, and he decides to leave it. (In some versions the Renunciation takes place seven days after the birth of Ráhula, J.i.62). He orders Channa to saddle Kanthaka, and enters his wife's room for a last look at her and their son.
He leaves the city on his horse Kanthaka, with Channa clinging to its tail. The devas muffle the sound of the horse's hoofs and of his neighing and open the city gates for Gotama to pass. Mára appears before Gotama and seeks to stay him with a promise that he shall be universal monarch within seven days. On his offer being refused, Mára threatens to shadow him always. Outside the city, at the spot where later was erected the Kanthakanivattana-cetiya, Gotama turns his horse round to take a last look at Kapilavatthu. It is said that the earth actually turned, to make it easy for him to do so. Then, accompanied by the gods, he rides thirty leagues through three kingdoms - those of the Sákyans, the Koliyans and the Mallas - and his horse crosses the river Anomá in one leap. On the other side, he gives all his ornaments to Channa, and with his sword cuts off hair and beard, throwing them up into the air, where Sakka takes them and enshrines them in the Cúlámani-cetiya in Távatimsa. The Brahmá Ghatikára offers Gotama the eight requisites of a monk, which he accepts and adopts. He then sends Channa and Kanthaka back to his father, but Kanthaka, broken-hearted, dies on the spot and is reborn as Kanthaka-devaputta.
The account given here is taken mainly from the Nidánakathá (J.i.59ff) and evidently embodies later tradition; cp. D.ii.21ff. From passages found in the Pitakas (e.g., A.i.145; M.i.163, 240; M.ii.212f.) it would appear that the events leading up to the Renunciation were not so dramatic as given here, the process being more gradual. I do not, however, agree with Thomas (op. cit., 58) that, according to these accounts, the Bodhisatta left the world when "quite a boy." I think the word dahara is used merely to indicate "the prime of youth," and not necessarily "boyhood." The description of the Renunciation in the Lal. is very much more elaborate and adds numerous incidents, no account of which is found in the Páli.
From Anomá the Bodhisatta goes to the mango-grove of Anupiya, and after spending seven days there walks to Rájagaha (a distance of thirty leagues) in one day, and there starts his alms rounds. Bimbisára's men, noticing him, report the matter to the king, who sends messengers to enquire who this ascetic is. The men follow Gotama to the foot of the Pandavapabbata, where he eats his meal, and they then go and report to the king. Bimbisára visits Gotama, and, pleased with his hearing, offers him the sovereignty. On learning the nature of Gotama's quest, he wins from him a promise to visit Rájagaha first after the Enlightenment.
This incident is also mentioned in the Pabbajjá Sutta (SN.vv.405-24), but there it is the king who first sees Gotama. It is significant that, when asked his identity, Gotama does not say he is a king's son. The Pali version of tile sutta contains nothing of Gotama's promise to visit Rájagaha, but the Mtu. version (ii.198-200), which places the visit later, has two verses, one of which contains the request and the other the acceptance; and the SNA. (ii.385f.), too, mentions the promise and tells that Bimbisára was informed of the prophecy concerning Gotama. There is another version of the Mtu. (ii.117-20) which says that Gotama went straight to Vaisáli after leaving home, joining Álára, and later visited Uddaka at Rájagaha. Here no mention is made of Bimbisára. We are told in the Mhv. (ii.25ff) that Bimbisára and Gotama (Siddhattha) had been playmates, Bimbisára being the younger by five years. Bimbisára's father (Bhátí) and Suddhodana were friends.
Journeying from Rájagaha, Gotama in due course becomes a disciple of Álára-Káláma. Having learnt and practised all that Álára has to teach, he finds it unsatisfying and joins Uddaka-Rámaputta; but Uddaka's doctrine leaves him still unconvinced and he abandons it. He then goes to Senánígáma in Uruvelá and there, during six years, practises all manner of severe austerities, such as no man had previously undertaken. Once he falls fainting and a deva informs Suddhodana that Gotama is dead. But Suddhodana, relying on the prophecy of Káladevala, refuses to believe the news. Gotama's mother, now born as a devaputta in Távatimsa, comes to him to encourage him. At Uruvelá, the Pańcavaggiya monks are his companions, but now, having realised the folly of extreme asceticism, he decides to abandon it, and starts again to take normal food; thereupon the Pańcavaggiyas, disappointed, leave him and go to Isipatana.
J.i.66f. The Therígáthá Commentary (p.2) mentions another teacher of Gotama, named Bhaggava, whom Gotama visited before Álára. Lal. (330 [264]) contains a very elaborate account of Gotama's visits to teachers; he goes first to two brahmin women, Sákí and Padmá, then to Raivata and Rajaka, son of Trimandika, and finally (as far as this chapter is concerned) to Álára at Vaisáli. A poem containing an account of the meeting of Gotama with Bimbisára is inserted into this account. The next chapter tells of Uddaka. An account of Gotama's visits to teachers and of the details of his austerities is also given in the Mahá Saccaka Sutta, already referred to (M.i.240ff); the Mahá Síhanáda Sutta (M.i.77ff) contains a long and detailed account of his extreme asceticisms. See also M.i.163ff; ii.93f.
Gotama's desire for normal food is satisfied by an offering brought by Sujátá to the Ajapála banyan tree under which he is seated. She had made a vow to the tree, and her wish having been granted, she takes her slave-girl, Punná, and goes to the tree prepared to fulfil her promise. They take Gotama to be the Tree-god, come in person to accept her offering of milk-rice; the offering is made in a golden bowl and he takes it joyfully. Five dreams he had the night before convince Gotama that he will that day become the Buddha. (The dreams are, recounted in A.iii.240 and in Mtu.ii.136f). It is the full-moon day of Visákha; he bathes at Suppatittha in the Nerańjará, eats the food and launches the bowl up stream, where it sinks to the abode of the Nága king, Kála (Mahákála).
Gotama spends the rest of the day in a sála-grove and, in the evening, goes to the foot of the Bodhi-tree, accompanied by various divinities; there the grass-cutter Sotthiya gives him eight handfuls of grass; these, after investigation, Gotama spreads on the eastern side of the tree, where it becomes a seat fourteen hands long, on which he sits cross-legged, determined not to rise before attaining Enlightenment.
J.i.69. The Pitakas know nothing of Sujátá's offering or of Sotthiya's gift. Lal. (334-7 [267-70]) mentions ten girls in all who provide him with food during his austerities. Divy (392) mentions two, Nandá and Nandabalá.
Mára, lord of the world of passion, is determined to prevent this fulfilment, and attacks Gotama with all the strength at his command. His army extends twelve leagues to the front, right, and left of him, to the end of the Cakkavála behind him, and nine leagues into the sky above him. Mára himself carries numerous weapons and rides the elephant Girimekhala, one hundred and fifty leagues in height. At the sight of him all the divinities gathered at the Bodhi-tree to do honour to Gotama - the great Brahmá, Sakka, the Nága-king Mahákála - disappear in a flash, and Gotama is left alone with the ten páramí, long practised by him, as his sole protection. All Mára's attempts to frighten him by means of storms and terrifying apparitions fail, and, in the end, Mára hurls at him the Cakkávudha. It remains as a canopy poised over Gotama. The very earth bears witness to Gotama's fitness to be the Enlightened One, and Girimekhala kneels before him. Mára is vanquished and flees headlong with his vast army. The various divinities who had fled at the approach of Mára now return to Gotama and exult in his triumph.
The whole story of the contest with Mára is, obviously, a mythological development. It is significant that in the Majjhima passages referred to earlier there is no mention of Mára, of a temptation, or even of a Bodhi-tree; but see D.ii.4 and Thomas (op. cit., n.1). According to the Kálingabodhi Játaka, which, very probably, embodies an old tradition, the bodhi-tree was worshipped even in the Buddha's life-time. The Mára legend is, however, to be found in the Canonical Padhána Sutta of the Sutta Nipáta. This perhaps contains the first suggestion of the legend. For a discussion see Mára.
Gotama spends that night in deep meditation. In the first watch he gains remembrance of his former existences; in the middle watch he attains the divine eye (dibbacakkhu); in the last watch he revolves in his mind the Chain of Causation (paticcasamuppáda). As he masters this, the earth trembles and, with the dawn, comes Enlightenment. He is now the supreme Buddha, and he breaks forth into a paean of joy (udána).
There is great doubt as to which were these Udána verses. The Nidánakathá and the Commentaries generally quote two verses (153, 154) included in the Dhammapada collection (anekajáti samsáram, etc.). The Vinaya (i.2) quotes three different verses (as does also DhsA.17), and says that one verse was repeated at the end of each watch, all the watches being occupied with meditation on the paticcasamuppáda. Mtu. (ii.286) gives a completely different Udána, and in another place (ii.416) mentions a different verse as the first Udána. The Tibetan Vinaya is, again, quite different (Rockhill, p.33). For a discussion see Thomas, op. cit., 75ff.
For the first week the Buddha remains under the Bodhi-tree, meditating on the Paticcasamuppáda; the second week he spends at the Ajapálanigrodha, where the "Huhuhka" Brahmin accosts him (Mara now comes again and asks the Buddha to die at once; D.ii.112) and where Mara's daughters, Tanhá, Aratí and Rágá, appear before the Buddha and make a last attempt to shake his resolution (J.i.78; S.i.124; Lal.490 (378)); the third week he spends under the hood of the nága-king Mucalinda (Vin.i.3); the fourth week is spent in meditation under the Rájáyatana tree*; at the end of this period takes place the conversion of Tapussa and Bhallika. They take refuge in the Buddha and the Dhamma, though the Buddha does not give them any instruction.
*This is the Vinaya account (Vin.i.1ff); but the Játaka (i.77ff, extends this period to seven weeks, the additional weeks being inserted between the first and second. The Buddha spends one week each at the Animisa-cetiya, the Ratanacankama and the Ratanaghara, and this last is where he thinks out the Abhidhamma Pitaka.
Doubts now assail the Buddha as to whether he shall proclaim to the world his doctrine, so recondite, so hard to understand. The Brahma Sahampati (according to J.i.81, with the gods of the thousand worlds, including Sakka, Suyáma, Santusita, Sunimmita, Vasavatti, etc.) appears before him and assures him there are many prepared to listen to him and to profit by his teaching, and so entreats him to teach the Dhamma. The Buddha accedes to his request and, after consideration, decides to teach the Dhamma first to the Pańcavaggiyas at Isipatana. On the way to Benares he meets the Ájívaka Upaka and tells him that he (the Buddha) is Jina. On his arrival at Isipatana the Pańcavaggiyas are, at first, reluctant to acknowledge his claim to be the Tathágata, but they let themselves be won over and, on the full-moon day of Ásálha, the Buddha preaches to them the sermon which came to be known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. (Vin.i.4ff; M.i.118ff; cp. D.ii.36ff. Regarding the claim of this sutta to be the Buddha's first sermon, see Thomas, op. cit., p.86; see also Pańcavaggiyá). At the end of the sermon Kondańńa becomes a sotápanna and they all become monks.
This sermon is followed five days later by the Anattalakkhana Sutta, at the conclusion of which all five become arahants. The following day the Buddha meets Yasa, whom he converts. Yasa's father, who comes seeking him, is the first to take the threefold formula of Refuge.
Yasa becomes an arahant and is ordained. The Buddha accepts a meal at his house, and Yasa's mother and one of his former wives are the first two lay-women to become the Buddha's disciples. Then four friends of Yasa and, afterwards, fifty more, enter the Order and become arahants. There are now sixty arahants besides the Buddha, and they are sent in different directions to preach the Dhamma. They return with many candidates for admission to the Order, and the Buddha, who up till now had ordained men with the "ehi bhikkhu" formula, now allows the monks themselves to perform the ceremony of ordination (Vin.i.15ff; J.i.81f).
After spending the rainy season at Benares (about this time Mára twice tries to tempt the Buddha, once after he had sent the disciples out to preach and once after the Retreat, S.i.105, 111; Vin.i.21, 22), the Buddha returns to Senánigáma in Uruvela, on the way converting and ordaining the thirty Bhaddavaggiyá. At Uruvela, after a long and protracted exercise of magical powers, consisting in all of three thousand five hundred miracles, the Buddha wins over the three Kassapa brothers, the Tebhátika Jatilá, with their thousand followers, and ordains them. They become arahants after listening to the Ádittapariyáya Sutta preached at Gayásísa; with these followers he visits Rájagaha, where King Seniya Bimbisára comes to see him at the Latthivanuyyána. The following day the Buddha and the monks visit the palace, preceded by Sakka disguised as a youth and singing the praises of the Buddha. After the meal, the king gifts Veluvana to the Buddha and the Order. The Buddha stays for two months at Rájagaha (BuA.4), and it is during this time that Sáriputta and Moggallána join the Order, through the instrumentality of Assaji (Vin.i.23ff). It was probably during this year, at the beginning of the rainy season, that the Buddha visited Vesáli at the request of the Licchavis, conveyed through Maháli. The city was suffering from pestilence and famine. The Buddha went, preached the Ratana Sutta and dispelled all dangers (DhA.iii.436ff).
The number of converts now rapidly increases and the people of Magadha, alarmed by the prospect of childlessness, widow-hood, etc., blame the Buddha and his monks. The Buddha, however, refutes their charges (Vin.i.42f).
The account of the first twenty years of the Buddha's ministry is summarised from various sources, chiefly from Thomas's admirable account in his Life and Legend of the Buddha (pp.97ff). The necessary references are to be found under the names mentioned.
On the full-moon day of Phagguna (February-March) the Buddha, accompanied by twenty thousand monks, sets out for Kapilavatthu at the express request of his father, conveyed through Káludáyí. (This visit is not mentioned in the Canon; but see Thag.527-36; AA.i.107, 167; J.i.87; DhA.i.96f; ThagA.i.997ff).
By slow stages he arrives at the city, where he stays at the Nigrodháráma, and, in order to convince his proud kinsmen of his power, performs the Yamakapátihárjya and then relates the Vessantara Játaka. The next day, receiving no invitation to a meal, the Buddha begs in the streets of the city; this deeply grieves Suddhodana, but later, learning that it is the custom of all Buddhas, he becomes a sotápanna and conducts the Buddha and his monks to meal at the palace. There all the women of the palace, excepting only Ráhulamátá, come and do reverence to the Buddha. Mahá Pajápatí becomes a sotápanna and Suddhodana a sakadágámi. The Buddha visits Ráhulamátá in her own apartments and utters her praises in the Candakinnara Játaka. The following day the Buddha persuades his half-brother, Nanda, to come to the monastery, where he ordains him and, on the seventh day, he does the same with Ráhula. This is too great a blow for Suddhodana, and at his request the Buddha rules that no person shall be ordained without the consent of his parents. The next day the Buddha preaches to Suddhodana, who becomes an anágámí. During the Buddha's visit to Kapilavatthu, eighty thousand Sákyans join the Order, one from each family. With these he returns to Rájagaha, stopping on the way at Anupiya, where Anuruddha, Bhaddiya, Ananda, Bhagu, Kimbila and Devadatta, together with their barber, Upáli, visit him and seek ordination.
On his return to Rájagaha the Buddha resides in the Sítavana. (J.i.92, the story is also told in the Vinaya ii.154, but no date is indicated). There Sudatta, later known as Anáthapindika, visits him, is converted, and invites him to Sávatthi. The Buddha accepts the invitation and journeys through Vesáli to Sávatthi, there to pass the rainy season. (Vin.ii.158; but see BuA.3, where the Buddha is mentioned as having spent the vassa in Rájagaha). Anáthapindika gifts Jetavana, provided with every necessity, for the residence of the Buddha and his monks. Probably to this period belongs the conversion of Migára, father-in-law of Visákhá, and the construction, by Visákhá, of the Pubbáráma at Sávatthi. The vassa of the fourth year the Buddha spends at Veluvana, where he converts Uggasena. (DhA.iv.59f). In the fifth year Suddhodana dies, having realised arahant-ship, and the Buddha flies through the air, from the Kútágárasálá in Vesáli where he was staying, to preach to his father on his death-bed. According to one account it is at this time that the quarrel breaks out between the Sákyans and the Koliyans regarding the irrigation of the river Rohiní. (AA.i.186; SNA.i.357; ThigA.141; details of the quarrel are given in J.v.412ff). The Buddha persuades them to make peace, and takes up his abode in the Nigrodháráma. Mahá Pajápatí Gotamí, with other Sákiyan women, visits him there and asks that women may be allowed to join the Order. Three times the request is made, three times refused, the Buddha then returning to Vesáli. The women cut off their hair, don yellow robes and follow him thither. Ananda intercedes on their behalf and their request is granted. (Vin.ii.253ff; A.iv.274f.; for details see Mahá Pajápati).
In the sixth year the Buddha again performs the Yamakapátiháriya, this time at the foot of the Gandamba tree in Sávatthi. Prior to this, the Buddha had forbidden any display of magic powers, but makes an exception in his own case (DhA.iii.199f.; J.iv.265, etc.).
He spends the vassa at Mankulapabbata. After the performance of the miracle he follows the custom of all Buddhas and ascends to Távatimsa in three strides to preach the Abhidhamma to his mother who is born there as a deva, and there he keeps the seventh vassa. The multitude, gathered at Sávatthi at the Yamakapátiháriya, refuse to go away until they have seen him. For three months, therefore, Moggallána expounds to them the Dhamma, while Culla Anáthapindika provides them with food. During the preaching of the Abhidhamma, Sáriputta visits the Buddha daily and learns from him all that has been recited the previous day. At the end of the vassa, the Buddha descends a jewelled staircase and comes to earth at Sankassa, thirty leagues from Sávatthi. (For details see Devorohana). It was about this time, when the Buddha's fame was at its height, that the notorious Cińcá-mánaviká was persuaded by members of some hostile sect to bring a vile accusation against the Buddha. A similar story, told in connection with a paribbájiká named Sundarí, probably refers to a later date.
The eighth year the Buddha spends in the country of the Bhaggas and there, while residing in Bhesakalávana near Sumsumáragiri, he meets Nakulapitá and his wife, who had been his parents in five hundred former births (A.A.i.217).
The same is told of another old couple in Sáketa. See the Sáketa Játaka. The Buddha evidently stayed again at Sumsumáragiri many years later. It was during his second visit that Bodhirájakumára (q.v.) invited him to a meal at his new palace in order that the Buddha might consecrate the building by his presence.
In the ninth year the Buddha is at Kosambí. While on a visit to the Kuru country he is offered in marriage Mágandiyá, the beautiful daughter of the brahmin Mágandiyá. The refusal of the offer, accompanied by insulting remarks about physical beauty, arouses the enmity of Mágandiyá who, thenceforward, cherishes hatred against the Buddha.
SN., pp.163ff; SNA.ii.542ff; DhA.i.199ff Thomas (op. cit., 109) assigns the Mágandiyá incident to the ninth year. I am not sure if this is correct, for the Commentaries say the Buddha was then living at Sávatthi.
In the tenth year there arises among the monks at Kosambí a schism which threatens the very existence of the Order. The Buddha, failing in his attempts to reconcile the disputants, retires in disgust to the Párileyyaka forest, passing on his way through Bálakalonakáragáma and Pácínavamsadáya. In the forest he is protected and waited upon by a friendly elephant who has left the herd. The Buddha spends the rainy season there and returns to Sávatthi. By this time the Kosambí monks have recovered their senses and ask the Buddha's pardon. This is granted and the dispute settled. (Vin.i.337ff; J.iii.486f; DhA.i.44ff; but see Ud.iv.5; s.v. Párileyyaka).
In the eleventh year the Buddha resides at the brahmin village of Ekanálá and converts Kasi-Bháradvája (SN., p.12f.; S.i.172f). The twelfth year he spends at Verańjá, keeping the vassa there at the request of the brahmin Verańja. But Verańja forgets his obligations; there is a famine, and five hundred horse-merchants supply the monks with food. Moggallána's offer to obtain food by means of magic power is discouraged (Vin.iii.1ff; J.iii.494f; DhA.ii.153). The thirteenth Retreat is kept at Cálikapabbata, where Meghiya is the Buddha's personal attendant (A.iv.354; Ud.iv.1). The fourteenth year is spent at Sávatthi, and there Ráhula receives the upasampadá ordination.
In the fifteenth year the Buddha revisits Kapilavatthu, and there his father-in-law, Suppabuddha, in a drunken fit, refuses to let the Buddha pass through the streets. Seven days later he is swallowed up by the earth at the foot of his palace (DhA.iii.44).
The chief event of the sixteenth year, which the Buddha spent at Álaví, is the conversion of the yakkha Álavaka. In the seventeenth year the Buddha is back at Sávatthi, but he visits Álaví again out of compassion for a poor farmer who becomes a sotápanna after hearing him preach (DhA.iii.262ff). He spends the rainy season at Rájagaha. In the next year he again comes to Álaví from Jetavana for the sake of a poor weaver's daughter. She had heard him preach, three years earlier, on the desirability of meditating upon death. She alone gave heed to his admonition and, when the Buddha knows of her imminent death, he journeys thirty leagues to preach to her and establish her in the sotápattiphala (DhA.iii.170ff).
The Retreat of this year and also that of the nineteenth are spent at Cálikapabbata. In the twentieth year takes place the miraculous conversion of the robber Angulimála. He becomes an arahant and dies shortly after. It is in the same year that Ananda is appointed permanent attendant on the Buddha, a position which he holds to the end of the Buddha's life, twenty-five years later (For details see Ananda). The twentieth Retreat is spent at Rájagaha.
With our present knowledge it is impossible to evolve any kind of chronology for the remaining twenty-five years of the Buddha's life. The Commentaries state that they were spent at Sávatthi in the monasteries of Jetavana and Pubbáráma. (E.g., BuA.3; SNA. p.336f, says that when the Buddha was at Sávatthi, he spent the day at the Migáramátupásáda in the Pubbáráma, and the night at Jetavana or vice versa).
This, probably, only implies that the Retreats were kept there and that they were made the head quarters of the Buddha. From there, during the dry season, he went every year on tour in various districts. Among the places visited by him during these tours are the following:
Aggálavacetiya, Anotatta, Andhakavinda, Ambapálivana, Ambalatthiká, Ambasandá, Assapura, Ápana, Icchánangala, Ukkatthá (Subhagavana), Ukkácelá, Ugganagara, Ujuńńá (Kannakatthaka deer-park), Uttara in Koliya, Uttaraká, Uttarakuru, Uruvelakappa, Ulumpa, Ekanálá, Opasáda, Kakkarapatta, Kajangalá (Mukheluvana), Kammássadhamma, Kalandakanivápa (near Benares), Kimbilá, Kítágiri, Kundadhánavana (near Kundakoli), Kesaputta, Kotigáma, Kosambí (Ghositáráma and Badarikáráma), Khánumata, Khomadussa, Gosingasálavana, Candalakappa, Campá (Gaggará), Cátuma, Cetiyagiri in Vesáli, Jívakambavana (in Rájagaha), Tapodáráma, Tindukkhánu (paribbájakáráma), Todeyya, Thullakotthita, Dakkhinágiri, Dandakappa, Devadaha, Desaka in the Sumbha country, Nagaraka, Nagaravinda, Nádiká (Gińjakávasatha), Nálandá (Pávárika mango-grove), Nálakapána (Palásavana), Pankadhá, Pańcasalá, Pátikáráma, Beluva, the Brahma world, Bhaddavatí, Bhaddiya (Játiyávana), Bhaganagara (Anandacetiya), Maninálakacetiya, Mana-sákata, Mátulá, Mithilá (Makhádeva mango-grove), Medatalumpa, Moranivápa, Rammaka's hermitage, Latthivana, Videha, Vedhańńa-ambavana, Venágapura, Verańjá, Veludvára, Vesáli (also various shrines there, Udenacetiya, Gotamacetiya, Cápalacetiya, Bahuputta-kacetiya, Sattambacetiya, Sárandadacetiya), Sakkara, Sajjanela, Salalágáraka in Sávatthi, Sáketa (Ańjanavana), Sámagáma, Sálavatiká, Sálá, Simsapávana, Silávatí, Sítavana, Súkarakhatalena, Setavyá, Hatthigáma, Halidavassana and the region of the Himálaya.
There is a more or less continuous account of the last year of the Buddha's life. This is contained in three suttas: the Mahá Parinibbána, the Mahá Sudassana and the Janavasabha. These are not separate discourses but are intimately connected with each other. The only event prior to the incidents recounted in these suttas, which can be fixed with any certainty, is the death of the Buddha's pious patron and supporter, Bimbisára, which took place eight years before the Buddha's Parinibbána (Mhv.ii.32). It was at this time that Devadatta tried to obtain for himself a post of supremacy in the Order, and, failing in this effort, became the open enemy of the Buddha. Devadatta's desire to deprive the Buddha of the leadership of the Sangha seems to have been conceived by him, according to the Vinaya account (Vin.ii.184), almost immediately after he joined the Order, and the Buddha was warned of this by the devaputta Kakudha. This account lends point to the statement contained especially in the Northern books, that even in their lay life Devadatta had always been Gotama's rival.
Enlisting the support of Ajátasattu, he tried in many ways to kill the Buddha. Royal archers were bribed to shoot the Buddha, but they were won over by his personality and confessed their intentions. Then Devadatta hurled a great rock down Gijjhakúta on to the Buddha as he was walking in the shade of the hill; the hurtling rock was stopped by two peaks, but splinters struck the Buddha's foot and caused blood to flow; he suffered great pain and had to be taken to the Maddakucchi garden, where his injuries were dressed by the physician Jívaka (S.i.27). The monks wished to provide a guard, but the Buddha reminded them that no man had the power to deprive a Tathágata of his life.
Devadatta next bribed the royal elephant keepers to let loose a fierce elephant, Nálágiri, intoxicated with toddy, on the road along which the Buddha would go, begging for alms. The Buddha was warned of this but disregarded the warning, and when the elephant appeared, Ananda, against the strict orders of the Buddha, threw himself in its path, and only by an exercise of iddhi-power, including the folding up of the earth, could the Buddha come ahead of him. As the elephant approached, the Buddha addressed it, pervading it with his boundless love, until it became quite gentle. (This incident, with great wealth of detail, is related in several places - e.g., in J.v.333ff).
These attempts to encompass the Buddha's death having failed, Devadatta, with three others, decides to create a schism in the Order and asks the Buddha that five rules should be laid down, whereby the monks would be compelled to lead a far more austere life than hitherto. When this request is refused, Devadatta persuades five hundred recently ordained monks to leave Vesáli with him and take up their residence at Gayásísa, where he would set up an organisation similar to that of the Buddha. But, at the Buddha's request, Sáriputta and Moggallána visit the renegade monks; Sáriputta preaches to them and they are persuaded to return. When Devadatta discovers this, he vomits hot blood and lies ill for nine months. When his end approaches, he wishes to see the Buddha, but he dies on the way to Jetavana - whither he is being conveyed in a litter - and is born in Avíci.
From Gijjhakúta, near Rájagaha, the Buddha starts on his last journey. Just before his departure he is visited by Vassákára, and the talk is of the Vajjians; the Buddha preaches to Vassákára and the monks on the conditions that lead to prosperity. The Buddha proceeds with a large concourse of monks to Ambalatthiká and thence to Nálandá, where Sáriputta utters his lion-roar (síhanáda) regarding his faith in the Buddha. The Buddha then goes to Pátaligáma, where he talks to the villagers on the evil consequences of immorality and the advantages of morality. He utters a prophecy regarding the future greatness of Pátaliputta and then, leaving by the Gotamadvára, he crosses the river Ganges at Gotamatittha. He proceeds to Kotigáma and thence to Ńátika, where he gives to Ananda the formula of the Dhammádása, whereby the rebirth of disciples could be ascertained. From Ńátika he goes to Vesáli, staying in the park of the courtesan Ambapáli. The following day he accepts a meal from Ambapáli, refusing a similar offer from the Licchavis; Ambapáli makes a gift of her park to the Buddha and his monks. The Buddha journeys on to Beluva, where he spends the rainy season, his monks remaining in Vesáli. At Beluva he falls dangerously ill but, with great determination, fights against his sickness. He tells Ananda that his mission is finished, that when he is dead the Order must maintain itself, taking the Dhamma alone as its refuge, and he concludes by propounding the four subjects of mindfulness (D.ii.100). The next day he begs in Vesáli and, with Ananda, visits the Cápála-cetiya. There he gives to Ananda the opportunity of asking him to live until the end of the kappa, but Ananda fails to take the hint. Soon afterwards Mára visits the Buddha and obtains the assurance that the Buddha's nibbána will take place in three months. There is an earthquake, and, in answer to Ananda's questions, the Buddha explains to him the eight causes of earthquakes. This is followed by lists of the eight assemblies, the eight stages of mastery and the eight stages of release. The Buddha then repeats to Ananda his conversation with Mára, and Ananda now makes his request to the Buddha to prolong his life, but is told that it is now too late; several opportunities he has had, of which he has failed to avail himself. The monks are assembled in Vesáli, in the Service Hall, and the Buddha exhorts them to practise the doctrines he has taught, in order that the religious life may last long. He then announces his impending death.
According to the Commentaries (e.g., DA.ii.549), after the rainy season spent at Beluva, the Buddha goes back to Jetavana, where he is visited by Sáriputta, who is preparing for his own Parinibbána at Nálakagáma. From Jetavana the Buddha went to Rájagaha, where Mahá-Moggallána died. Thence he proceeded to Ukkácelá, where he spoke in praise of the two chief disciples. From Ukkácelá he proceeded to Vesáli and thence to Bhandagáma. Ráhula, too, predeceased the Buddha (DA.ii.549).
The next day, returning from Vesáli, he looks round at the city for the last time and goes on to Bhandagáma; there he preaches on the four things the comprehension of which destroys rebirth-noble conduct, earnestness in meditation, wisdom and freedom.
He then passes through the villages of Hatthigáma, Ambagáma and Jambugama, and stays at Bhoganagara at the Ananda-cetiya. There he addresses the monks on the Four Great Authorities (Mahápadesá), by reference to which the true doctrine may be determined (Cf. A.ii.167ff). From Bhoganagara the Buddha goes to Pává and stays in the mango-grove of Cunda, the smith. Cunda serves him with a meal which includes súkaramaddava. (There is much dispute concerning this word. See Thomas, op. cit., 149, n.3). The Buddha alone partakes of the súkaramaddava, the remains being buried. This is the Buddha's last meal; sharp sickness arises in him, with flow of blood and violent, deadly pains, but the Buddha controls them and sets out for Kusinárá. On the way he has to sit down at the foot of a tree. Ananda fetches him water to drink from the stream Kakutthá, over which five hundred carts had just passed; but, through the power of the Buddha, the water is quite clear. Here the Buddha is visited by Pukkusa, the Mallan, who is converted and presents the Buddha with a pair of gold-coloured robes. The Buddha puts them on and Ananda notices the marvellous brightness and clearness of the Buddha's body. The Buddha tells him that the body of a Buddha takes on this hue on the night before his Enlightenment and on the night of his passing away, and that he will die that night at Kusinárá. He goes to the Kákutthá, bathes and drinks there and rests in a mango-grove. There he instructs Ananda that steps must be taken to dispel any remorse that Cunda may feel regarding the meal he gave to the Buddha.
From Kakutthá the Buddha crosses the Hirańńavatí to the Upavattana sála-grove in Kusinárá. There Ananda prepares for him a bed with the head to the north. All the trees break forth into blossom and flowers cover the body of the Buddha. Divine mandárava-flowers and sandalwood powder fall from the sky, and divine music and singing sound through the air. But the Buddha says that the greater honour to him would be to follow his teachings.
The gods of the ten thousand world systems assemble to pay their last homage to the Buddha, and Upavána, who stands fanning him, is asked to move away as he obstructs their view.
Ananda asks for instruction on several points, including how the funeral rites should be performed; he then goes out and abandons himself to a fit of weeping; the Buddha sends for him, consoles him and speaks his praises. Ananda tries to persuade the Buddha not to die in a mud-and-wattle village, such as is Kusinárá, but the Buddha tells him how it was once the mighty Kusávatí, capital of Mahásudassana.
The Mallas of Kusinára are informed that the Buddha will pass away in the third watch of the night, and they come with their families to pay their respects. The ascetic Subhadda comes to see the Buddha and is refused admission by Ananda, but the Buddha, overhearing, calls him in and converts him. Several minor rules of discipline are delivered, including the order for the excommunication of Channa. The Buddha finally asks the assembled monks to speak out any doubts they may have. All are silent and Ananda expresses his astonishment, but the Buddha tells him it is natural that the monks should have no doubts. Then, addressing the monks for the last time, he admonishes them in these words: "Decay is inherent in all component things; work out your salvation with diligence." These were the Buddha's last words. Passing backwards and forwards through various stages of trance, he attains Parinibbána. There is a great earthquake and terrifying thunder, and the Brahmá Sahampati, Sakka king of the gods, Anuruddha and Ananda utter stanzas, each proclaiming the feeling uppermost in his mind. It is the full-moon day of the month of Visákha and the Buddha is in his eightieth year.
The next day Ananda informs the Mallas of Kusinárá of the Buddha's death, and for seven days they hold a great celebration. On the seventh day, following Ananda's instructions, they prepare the body for cremation, taking it in procession by the eastern gate to the Makutabandhana shrine, thus altering their proposed route, in order to satisfy the wishes of the gods, as communicated to them by Anuruddha. The whole town is covered knee-deep with mandárava-flowers, which fall from the sky. When, however, four of the chief Mallas try to light the pyre, their attempt is unsuccessful and they must wait until Mahá Kassapa, coming with a company of five hundred monks, has saluted it. The Commentaries (e.g., DA.ii.603) add that Mahá Kassapa greatly desired that the Buddha's feet should rest on his head when he worshipped the pyre. The wish was granted: the feet appeared through the pyre, and when Kassapa had worshipped them, the pyre closed together. The pyre burns completely away, leaving no cinders nor soot. Streams of water fall from the sky to extinguish it and the Mallas pour on it scented water. They then place a fence of spears around it and continue their celebrations for seven days. At the end of that period there appear several claimants for the Buddha's relics: Ajátasattu, the Licchavis of Vesáli, the Sákiyans of Kapilavatthu, the Bulis of Allakappa, the Koliyas of Rámagáma, a brahmin of Vethadípa and the Mallas of Pává. But the Mallas of Kusinárá refusing to share the relics with the others, there is danger of war. Then the brahmin Dona counsels concord and divides the relics into eight equal parts for the eight claimants. Dona takes for himself the measuring vessel and the Moriyas of Pipphalivana, who arrive late, carry off the ashes. Thúpas were built over these remains and feasts held in honour of the Buddha.
The concluding passage of the Mahá-Parinibbána Sutta (D.ii.167) states that the Buddha's relics were eight measures, seven of which were honoured in Jambudípa and the remaining one in the Nága realm in Rámagáma. One tooth was in heaven, one in Gandhára, a third in Kálinga (later taken to Ceylon), and a fourth in the Nága world. Ajátasattu's share was deposited in a thúpa and forgotten. It was later discovered by Asoka (with the help of Sakka) and distributed among his eighty-four thousand monasteries. Asoka also recorded the finding of all the other relics except those deposited in Rámagáma. These were later deposited in the Mahácetiya at Anurádhapura (Mhv.xxxi.17ff). Other relics are also mentioned, such as the Buddha's collar-bone, his alms bowl, etc. (Mhv.xvii.9ff; Mhv.i.37, etc.).
It is said (E.g., DA.iii.899) that just before the Buddha's Sásana disappears completely from the world, all the relics will gather together at the Mahácetiya, and travelling from there to Nágadípa and the Ratanacetiya, assemble at the Mahábodhi, together with the relics from other parts. There they will reform the Buddha's golden hued body, emitting the six-coloured aura. The body will then catch fire and completely disappear, amid the lamentations of the ten thousand world-systems.
The Ceylon Chronicles (Mhv.i.12ff; Dpv.i.45ff; ii.1ff etc.) record that the Buddha visited the Island on three separate occasions.
(The Burmese claim that the Buddha visited their land and went to the Lohitacandana Vihára, presented by the brothers Mahápunna and Cúlapunna of Vánijagáma (Ind. Antiq.xxii., and Sás.36f.).
The first was while he was dwelling at Uruvelá, awaiting the moment for the conversion of the Tebhátika Jatilas, in the ninth month after the Enlightenment, on the full-moon day of Phussa (Dec.-Jan.). He came to the Mahánága garden, and stood in the air over an assembly of yakkhas then being held. He struck terror into their hearts and, at his suggestion, they left Ceylon and went in a body to Giridípa, hard by. The Buddha gave a handful of his hair to the deva Mahásumana of the Sumanakúta mountain, who built a thúpa which was later enlarged into the Mahiyangana Thúpa. The Buddha again visited Ceylon in the fifth year, on the new-moon day of Citta (March-April), to check an imminent battle between two Nága chiefs in Nágadípa; the combatants were Mahodara and Cúlodara, uncle and nephew, and the object of the quarrel was a gem-set throne. The Buddha appeared before them, accompanied by the deva Samiddhi-Sumana, carrying a Rájayatana tree from Jetavana, settled their quarrel and received, as a gift, the throne, the cause of the trouble. He left behind him both the throne and the Rájayatana tree for the worship of the Nágás and accepted an invitation from the Nága king, Maniakkhika of Kalyáni, to pay another visit to Ceylon. Three years later Maniakkhika repeated the invitation and the Buddha came to Kalyáni with five hundred monks, on the second day of Vesákha. Having preached to the Nágas, he went to Sumanakúta, on the summit of which mountain he left the imprint of his foot (Legend has it that other footprints were left by the Buddha, on the bank of the river Nammadá, on the Saccabaddha mountain and in Yonakapura). He then stayed at Díghavápí and from there visited Mahámeghavana, where he consecrated various spots by virtue of his presence, and proceeded to the site of the later Silácetiya. From there he returned to Jetavana.
Very little information as to the personality of the Buddha is available. We are told that he was golden-hued (E.g., Sp.iii.689), that his voice had the eight qualities of the Brahmassára (E.g., D.ii.211; M.ii.166f. It is said that while an ordinary person spoke one word, Ananda could speak eight; but the Buddha could speak sixteen to the eight of Ananda, MA.i.283) - fluency, intelligibility, sweetness, audibility, continuity, distinctness, depth and resonance - that he had a fascinating personality - he was described by his opponents as seductive (E.g., M.i.269, 275) - that he was handsome, perfect alike in complexion and stature and noble of presence (E.g., M.ii.167). He had a unique reputation as a teacher and trainer of the human heart. He was endowed with the thirty-two marks of the Mahápurisa. (For details of these, see Buddha). There is a legend that Mahá Kassapa, though slightly shorter, resembled the Buddha in appearance.
Attempts made, however, to measure the Buddha always failed; two such attempts are generally mentioned - one by a brahmin of Rájagaha and the other by Ráhu, chief of the Asuras (DA.i.284f). The Buddha had the physical strength of many millions of elephants (e.g., VibhA.397), but his strength quickly ebbed away after his last meal and he had to stop at twenty-five places while travelling three gávutas from Pává to Kusinára (DA.ii.573).
Mention is often made of the Buddha's love of quiet and peace, and even the heretics respected his wishes in this matter, silencing their discussions at his approach (E.g., D.i.178f; iii.39; even his disciples had a similar reputation, e.g., D.iii.37). Examples are given of the Buddha refusing to allow noisy monks to live near him. (E.g., M.i.456; see also M.ii.122, where a monk was jogged by his neighbour because he coughed when the Buddha was speaking). He loved solitude and often spent long periods away from the haunts of men, allowing only one monk to bring him his meals. E.g., S.v.12, 320; but this very love of solitude was sometimes brought against him. By intercourse with whom does he attain to lucidity in wisdom? they asked. His insight, they said, was ruined by his habit of seclusion (D.iii.38).
According to one account (A.i.181), it was his practice to spend part of the day in seclusion, but he was always ready to see anyone who urgently desired his spiritual counsel (E.g., A.iv.438).
In the Mahá Govinda Sutta (D.ii.222f ) Sakka is represented as having uttered "eight true praises" of the Buddha. Perhaps the most predominant characteristics of the Buddha were his boundless love and his eagerness to help all who sought him. His fondness for children is seen in such stories as those of the two Sopákas, of Kumára-Kassapa, of Cúla Panthaka and Dabba-Mallaputta and also of the novices Pandita and Sukha. His kindness to animals appears, for instance, in the introductory story of the Maccha Játaka and his interference on behalf of Udena's aged elephant, Bhaddavatiká (q.v.). The Buddha was extremely devoted to his disciples and encouraged them in every way in their difficult life. The Theragáthá and the Therígáthá are full of stories indicating that he watched, with great care, the spiritual growth and development of his disciples, understood their problems and was ready with timely interference to help them to win their aims. Such incidents as those mentioned in the Bhaddáli Sutta (M.i.445), the introduction to the Tittha Játaka and the Kańcakkhandha Játaka, seem to indicate that he took a personal and abiding interest in all who came under him. It was his unvarying custom to greet with a smile all those who visited him, inquiring after their welfare and thus putting them at their ease (Vin.i.313). When anyone sought permission to question him, he made no conditions as to the topic of discussion. This is called sabbańńupavárana. E.g., M.i.230. When the Buddha himself asked a question of any of his interrogators, they could not remain silent, but were bound to answer; a yakkha called Vajirapáni was always present to frighten those who did not wish to do so (e.g., M.i.231).
The Buddha was not over-anxious to get converts, and when his visitors declared themselves his followers he would urge them to take time to consider the matter - e.g., in the case of Acela Kassapa and Upáligahapati.
When he was staying in a monastery, he paid daily visits to the sick ward to talk to the inmates and to comfort them (See, e.g., Kutágárasálá). The charming story of Pútigata-Tissa shows that he sometimes attended on the sick himself, thus setting an example to his followers. In return for his devotion, his disciples adored him, but even among those who immediately surrounded him there were a few who refused to obey him implicitly - e.g., Láludáyí, the companions of Assaji and Punabbasuka, the Chabbaggiyas, the Sattarasavaggiyas and others, not to mention Devadatta and his associates.
The Buddha seems to have shown a special regard for Sáriputta, Ananda and Mahá Kassapa among the monks, and for Anáthapindika, Malliká, Visakhá, Bimbisára and Pasenadi among the laity. He seems to have been secretly amused by the very human qualities of Pasenadi and by his failure to appreciate the real superiority of Malliká, his wife.
The Buddha always declared that he was among the happy ones of this earth, that he was far happier, for instance, than Bimbisára (E.g., M.i.94), and he remained unmoved by opposition or abuse. E.g., in the case of the organised conspiracy of Mágandiyá (DhA.iv.1f.).
The Milindapańha (p.134) mentions several illnesses of the Buddha: the injury to his foot has already been referred to; once when the humours of his body were disturbed Jívaka administered a purge (Vin.i.279); on another occasion he suffered from some stomach trouble which was cured by hot water, or, according to some, by hot gruel (Vin.i.210f.; Thag.185). The Dhammapada Commentary (DhA.iv.232; ThagA.i.311f) mentions another disorder of the humours cured by hot water obtained from the brahmin Devahita, through Upavána. The Commentaries mention that he suffered, in his old age, from constant backache, owing to the severe austerities practised by him during the six years preceding his Enlightenment, and the unsuitable meals taken during that period were responsible for a dyspepsia which persisted throughout the rest of his life (SA.i.200), culminating in his last serious illness of dysentery. MA.i.465; DA.iii.974; see also D.iii.209, when he was preaching to the Mallas of Pává.
The Apadána (Ap.i.299f) contains a set of verses called Pubbakammapiloti; these verses mention certain acts done by the Buddha in the past, which resulted in his having to suffer in various ways in his last birth. He was once a drunkard named Munáli and he abused the Pacceka Buddha Surabhi. On another occasion he was a learned brahmin, teacher of five hundred pupils. One day, seeing the Pacceka Buddha Isigana, he spoke ill of him to his pupils, calling him "sensualist." The result of this act was the calumny against him by Sundariká in this life.
In another life he reviled a disciple of a Buddha, named Nanda; for this he suffered in hell for twelve thousand years and, in his last life, was disgraced by Cińcá. Once, greedy for wealth, he killed his step-brothers, hurling them down a precipice; as a result, Devadatta attempted to kill him by hurling down a rock. Once, as a boy, while playing on the highway, he saw a Pacceka Buddha and threw a stone at him, and as a result, was shot at by Devadatta's hired archers. In another life he was a mahout, and seeing a Pacceka Buddha on the road, drove his elephant against him; hence the attack by Nálágiri. Once, as a king, he sentenced seventy persons to death, the reward for which he reaped when a splinter pierced his foot. Because once, as a fisherman's son, he took delight in watching fish being caught, he suffered from a grievous headache when Vidúdabha slaughtered the Sákiyans. In the time of Phussa Buddha he asked the monks to eat barley instead of rice and, as a result, had to eat barley for three months at Verańja. (According to the Dhammapada Commentary [iii.257], the Buddha actually had to starve one day at Pańcasálá, because none of the inhabitants were willing to give him alms.) Because he once killed a wrestler, he suffered from cramp in the back. Once, when a physician, he caused discomfort to a merchant by purging him, hence his last illness of dysentery. As Jotipála, he spoke disparagingly of the Enlightenment of Kassapa Buddha, and in consequence had to spend six years following various paths before becoming the Buddha. He was one of the most short-lived Buddhas, but because of those six years his Sásana will last longer (Sp.i.190f).
The Buddha was generally addressed by his own disciples as Bhagavá. He spoke of himself as Tathágata, while non-Buddhists referred to him as Gotama or Mahásamana. Other names used are Mahámuni, Sákyamuni, Jina, Sakka (e.g., Sn.vs.345) and Brahma (Sn.vs.91; SnA.ii.418), also Yakkha (q.v.).
The Anguttara Nikáya (A.i.23ff) gives a list of the Buddha's most eminent disciples, both among members of the Order and among the laity. Each one in the list is mentioned as having possessed pre-eminence in some particular respect.
Among those who visited the Buddha for discussion or had interviews with him or received instruction and guidance direct from him, the following may be included in addition to those already mentioned (this list does not pretend to be complete; some of the names have already been mentioned in this monograph in various connections):
Ankura, Aggidatta, Acela-Kassapa, Ajátasattu, Ajita the Paribbájaka, Ajita the Licchavi general, Attadattha, Anitthigandhakumára, Anuráddha, Anuruddha, Annabhára, Abhaya-rájakumára, Abhayá, Abhińjaka, Abhibhúta, Abhirúpa-Nandá, Ambattha, the monk Arittha, Ariya the fisherman, Asama, Asibandhaputta, Assaji, Assaláyana, Ákotaka, Ámagandha, the yakkhas Álavaka and Indaka, Ugga of Vesáli, Ugga the minister, Uggata-Saríra, Uggaha, Ujjaya, Unnábha, Uttara-devaputta, Uttara the Nága king, Uttara, pupil of Párasariya, Uttiya, Udaya and Udáyi the brahmins, Uttara, pupil of Brahmáyu, Uttará, daughter of Punna, Uttará the aged nun, Upavána, Upasálha, Upasena, Upáligahapati, Ubbirí, Eraka, Esakárí, Kakudha, Kandaraka, Kapila the fisherman, Kappa, Kappatakura, Kalárakkhattiya, Kassapa the deva, Kána, Kánamátá, Kátiyána, Kápathika, Kámada, Káranapáli, the Kálámas, Káligodhá, Kimbila, Kiságotami, Kukkutamitta the hunter, Kundadhána, Kundaliya, Kulla, Kútadanta, Keniya the Jatila, Kevaddha, Kesi the horse trainer, Kokanadá, the two daughters of Pajjuna, Kokálika, Khadiravaniya-Revata, Khánu-Kondańńa, Khema the deva, Khemá, Ganaka-Moggallána, Gavampati, Guttá, Gotama Thera, Cankí, Candana, Candábha, Candimá (Candimasa), Citta-Hatthasáríputta, Cunda, Cunda-Samanuddesa, Cundí, Culla-Dhanuggaha, Culla-Subhaddhá, Chattapání, Janapada-Kalyáni-Nandá, Janavasabha, Jantu, Jambuka, Jambukhádaka, Jánussoni, Jáliya, Jívaka-Komárabhacca, Jenta, Jotikagahapati, Táyana, Tálaputa, Tikanna, Timbaruka, Tissa, cousin of the Buddha, Tissa, friend of Metteyya, Tissa of Roruva, Tudu-brahmá, Thulla-Tissa, Dandapaní, Dámalí, Dásaka, Dígha the deva, Díghajánu, Díghata-passí, Díghanakha, Díghalatthi, Díghávu, Dummukha, Dona, Dhammadinna, Dhammáráma, the Dhammika-upásaka, Dhammika the brahmin, Nanda Thera, Nanda the herdsman, Nandana, Nandiya-paribbájaka, Nandiya the Sákiyan, Nandivisála, Nágita, Nálakatápasa, Nálijangha, Nigamavási-Tissa, Nigrodha, Ninka, Níta, Nhátakamuní, Paccaníkasáta, Pańcasikha, Pańcálacanda, Patácárá, Pasenadi, king of Kosala, Paháráda the asura, Pátaliya, Párápariya, Pingala-Kaccha, Pingiyání, Pilinda-Vaccha, Pilotika, Punna, Punna-Koliyaputta, Punna-Mantáníputta, Punná, Punniya, Pessa the elephant trainer, Pokkharasáti, Potthapáda, Pothila, Potaliya, Phagguna, Baka-brahmá, Bahuputtiká, Bávarí and his sixteen disciples, Báhiya-Dárucíriya, Báhuna, Bilálapádaka, Belatthakáni, Bojjhá, Brahmáyu, Bhagu, Bhaggava, Bhadda, Bhaddá-Kundakakesí, Bhaddáli, Bhaddiya the Licchavi, several Bhára-dvájas (Akkosaka*, Aggika*, Asurinda*, Ahimsaka*, Kási*, Jatá*, Navakammika*, Bilangika*, Suddhika*, Sundarika*), Bháradvája, husband of Dhanańjáni, Bháradvája, friend of Vásettha, Bhuńjati, Bhumiya, Bhesika the barber, Macchari-Kosiya, Manibhadda, Mandissa, Mahá-kappina, Mahá-Kassapa, Mahá-kotthita, Mahá-Cunda, Mahá-dhana, Mahá-náma, Mahá-Moggallána, Maháli (Otthaddha), the two Mágandiyas - one the brahmin and one the paribbájaka, Mágha, Mánava-Gámiya, Mánatthaddha, Mátuposaka, Málunkyaputta, Miga-jála, Migasira, Mendaka of Bhaddiya, Moliya-Phagguna, Moliya-Sívaka, Yasoja, Ratthapála, Rádha, Ráhula, Rásiya, Rúpánandá, Roja the Malla, Rohiní, Rohitassa, Lakuntaka-Bhaddiya, the goddess Lájá, Lomasakangiya, Lohicca, Vakkali, Vangisa, Vajjiyamáhita, Vaddha the Licchavi, Vaddhamána, Vappa, Varadhara, Vassakára, Várana, Vásettha-upásaka, Vásettha, friend of Bháradvája, Visákha Pańcalaputta, Visákhá, Vírá, Vekhanasa, Vendu, Vatambari, Sakuludáyi, Sakka, Sankicca, the two Sangáravas, Sangharakkhita (Bhágineyya°), Saccaka, Sajjha, Satullapa-devas, Sanankumára, Santati, Sandha, Sandhána, Samiddhi, Sarabha, Sarabhanga, Sátágira, Sátáli, Sáti, Sánu, Sikhá-Moggallána, Sigála, Sirimá, Siva, Sívali, Síha the general, Sukhá, Suciloma, Sujátá, daughter-in-law of Anáthapindika, Sudatta, Sunakkhatta, Suníta, Sundara-Samudda, Sundarí-Nandá, the leper Suppabuddha, Suppa-vásá, Subha Todeyyaputta, the two nuns named Subhá, Subhúti, the novice Sumana, Sumaná, sister of Pasenadi, Subrahmá, Surádha, Suriya, Susima, Seniya, Seri, Sela, Sona-Kutikanna, Sona-Kolivisa, Sonadanda, Soná, the two Sopákas, Hatthaka Álavaka, Hatthaka-devaputta and Hemavata.
See also Buddha and Bodhisatta.