The Twenty-Four Buddhas – 101
performed matchless deeds of generosity to the congregation of monks led by
the Buddha during the whole period of the Rains Retreat.
Then Buddha Koṇḍañña declared a prophecy: “Innumerable aeons from the
present one, in the aeon that appears after three immeasurable periods and
100,000 aeons, you will definitely become a Buddha.”
The prophecy, like the one made by Buddha Dīpaṅkara, is given in full
detail in the Pāḷi, mentioning the practice of austerity and other events, but
they are not repeated here as they have already been given in the story of
Sumedha.
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Having declared the prophecy, Buddha Koṇḍañña carried on teaching. After
listening to the Buddha’s discourse, the king’s faith in the Buddha grew to a
great extent and being desirous of achieving Buddhahood, he made an offering
of his vast kingdom to the Buddha, in whose presence he became a monk. After
learning the Three Baskets, he acquired the eightfold attainment and the
fivefold super knowledges (
abhiññā
). Reaching the apex of the super
knowledges, he was reborn in the Brahma abode on his death.
Particulars of Buddha Koṇḍañña
Buddha Koṇḍañña’s place of birth was the city of Rammavatī.
His father was King Sunanda, and his mother was Sujātā Devī.
His two male chief disciples were Ven. Bhadda and Ven. Subhadda.
His attendant was Ven. Anuruddha.
His two female chief disciples were Ven. Tissā and Ven. Upatissā.
His Bodhi tree was a Beautiful Sāla (
Sāla-kalyaṇī
).
His male lay attendants were Soṇa and Upasoṇa.
His female lay attendants were Nandā and Sirimā.
His height was 88 cubits, and he shone like the moon or the sun at noon.
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This statement is made after the declaration of prophecy made by each Buddha. We
will leave out similar statements from the accounts of later Buddhas.