41b. Buddha Metteyya – 1677
The Universal Monarch Saṅkha
At this time, there will be a Universal Monarch named Saṅkha. In a past life, he
and his father made a hut for a Paccekabuddha. They had him stay there for the
three months of the Rains Retreat and
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then gave him three robes. In the
same way, they had seven Paccekabuddhas stay in the hut. The father and son
were reborn in the Tāvatiṁsa Realm, and Sakka requested that the father be
reborn in the human world as Prince Mahāpanāda. The architect for the Devas,
Vissakamma, built a palace for Mahāpanāda. During the time of Buddha
Gotama, Mahāpanāda was Ven. Bhaddaji, who, on one occasion, raised up the
Mahāpanāda palace from the bottom of the Ganges. The palace still waits there
for the future Saṅkha, who was the son that gave to the Paccekabuddhas in the
past.
When Saṅkha becomes the Universal Monarch, he will raise up the Mahāpanāda
palace which will serve as his palace in the centre of Ketumatī. The palace is
described as resplendent with many jewels, so bright it is hard to look at. And he
will possess the seven treasures of a Universal Monarch: the wheel, elephant,
horse, gem, wife, householder, and adviser.
Through the merit of Saṅkha, there will be a square in the middle of the city
with four halls facing the four directions with wishing trees. Hanging from the
trees there will be all sorts of fine garments, drums, and jewellery.
Through the merit of the people at that time, there will be rice that grows
without being cultivated. It will be pure, sweet-smelling, and the grains will be
ready-husked. The residents of Ketumatī will have whatever they want. They
will be very rich. They will wake up to the sound of drums and lutes. They will
be exceedingly happy in both body and mind.
King Saṅkha’s palace will have 84,000 dancing girls. He will have one thousand
sons, valiant, of heroic forms, crushing enemy armies. The eldest son will be the
king’s adviser. The king will conquer the sea-girt land of Jambudīpa without
violence, without a sword, but rather by righteousness.
The Career of Bodhisatta Metteyya
The Bodhisatta will be the son of the Universal Monarch’s head priest,
Subrahma, and his wife, Brahmavatī. He will be named Ajita, and he will bear
the 32 marks and 80 minor marks that are common to Buddhas and Universal