The Twenty-Four Buddhas – 210
eradicated wrong views and taught Dhamma, 200 billion Devas and humans
attained the paths and fruitions.
3. After displaying the twin miracle, Buddha Koṇāgamana went to Tāvatiṁsa
and sat on the stone-slab placed at the foot of the Pāricchattaka tree, he taught
Abhidhamma to Devas and Brahmas who had assembled there from the 10,000
world-element. At that time, 100 billion attained the paths and fruitions.
Single Occasion of the Disciples’ Meeting
The only meeting of Buddha Koṇāgamana’s disciples took place when the
Buddha was staying in a park, named Surindadeva, near the city of Sundaravatī.
He taught Dhamma to princes Bhiyyosa and Uttara, who were to become his
chief disciples, together with 30,000
[193]
strong retainers and called upon them:
“Come, monks.” They became summoned monastics and became Arahats. In the
middle of these 30,000 Arahats, on the full moon of February (
Māgha
), Buddha
Koṇāgamana recited the Advisory Rules (
Ovāda-Pātimokkha
).
The Bodhisatta as King Pabbata
At the time of Buddha Koṇāgamana our Bodhisatta was King Pabbata, in the
city of Mithilā. He was a powerful ruler associated with strong allies. Hearing
that Buddha Koṇāgamana had arrived in his city, he welcomed him with his
retinue and army, invited him respectfully and performed a grand alms giving.
He also requested the Buddha to observe the Rains Retreat (
Vassa
) in his city
and he would look after him and his Saṅgha for the three months of the rainy
season. Besides, he offered the Saṅgha, headed by the Buddha, cotton cloth, silk
cloth, woollen cloth, golden sandals and many other things made in Pattuṇṇa
country and Cīna country. The Buddha then predicted of him: “In this Fortunate
Aeon, this King Pabbata will indeed become a Buddha, named Gotama.” Having
heard the Buddha’s prophecy, the Bodhisatta, King Pabbata, was so pleased that
he firmly resolved to fulfil the ten perfections even more energetically.
Since he was a man who had been seeking omniscience, he made a great
offering of gifts to Buddha Koṇāgamana, renounced his magnificent kingship
and became a monk in the presence of the Buddha.
Particulars of Buddha Koṇāgamana
Buddha Koṇāgamana’s birthplace was Sobhavatī city, which was ruled by King
Sobha.