35b: Stories about Wrong View– 1205 

 

By the end of the discourse, 84,000 people realized the four truths and won 
liberation. The two friends, Sirigutta and Garahadinna, attained Stream-entry 
(

Sotāpatti-phala

). Inspired by faith, both of them dedicated all their wealth to 

the cause of the Buddha’s Dispensation that was of eight wonders. 

After giving an appreciative talk, the Buddha rose and returned to the 
monastery. At the assembly in the evening, the monks extolled the master, 
saying: 

[828]

 “Wonderful indeed, friends, is the power of the Fortunate One. A 

series of lotus flowers, each having the size of a chariot wheel or a cartwheel, 
arose out of the horrible embers.” 

The Buddha came to the assembly and asked: “Monks what are you talking 
about?” – “We are talking about this sort of subject, with reference to your 
power,” answered the monks. Then the Buddha said: “Monks, it is no wonder 
that out of the heap of embers arose lotus-flowers for me to walk on, for I have 
become Perfectly Self-Awakened, Lord of the Three Worlds, omniscient. The 
lotus flowers emerged on one occasion in the past, when as a Bodhisatta, even 
though I was still immature.” Then at the request of the monks, the Buddha 
related in detail the Birth Story about the Embers (

Khadiraṅgāra-jātaka

, Ja 40). 

[Again in the Great Chronicles instructions were given to look it up in the 
Birth Stories (

Jātaka

), as before I include it for completion’s sake. The 

translation is that of Robert Chalmers, slightly modified to fit in with the 
conventions used here.] 

The Birth Story about the Embers 

Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta 
came to life in the family of the lord high treasurer of Benares, and was brought 
up in the lap of all luxury like a royal prince. By the time he was come to years 
of discretion, being barely sixteen years old, he had made himself perfect in all 
accomplishments. At his father’s death he filled the office of lord high treasurer, 
and built six almonries, one at each of the four gates of the city, one in the 
centre of the city, and one at the gate of his own mansion. Very bountiful was he, 
and he kept the precepts, and the Observance Day duties. 

Now one day at breakfast-time when dainty fare of exquisite taste and variety 
was being brought in for the Bodhisatta, a Paccekabuddha rising from a seven 
days’ absorption, and noticing that it was time to go his rounds, bethought him 
that it would he well to visit the treasurer of Benares that morning. So he