The Twenty-Four Buddhas – 95
Buddha Dīpaṅkara, the knower of the three realms, was always attended upon
by 400,000 Arahat disciples who were immensely powerful with the sixfold
super knowledges (
abhiññā
).
During the Dispensation of Buddha Dīpaṅkara, those who died as learners
(
sekkha
) while trying for Awakening in vain, become the scorn of all.
The teaching of Buddha Dīpaṅkara spread throughout the whole world and
remained glorious forever with Arahats who had extirpated their foe, namely
the defilements, and who were not disturbed by various sense objects and thus
free of impurities and the pollutants (
āsava
).
Particulars of Buddha Dīpaṅkara
Buddha Dīpaṅkara’s birth place was the city of Rammavatī.
His father was King Sudeva and his mother was Queen Sumedhā.
His two male chief disciples were Ven. Sumaṅgala and Ven. Tissa.
His attendant was Ven. Sāgata.
His two female chief disciples were Ven. Nandā and Ven. Sunandā.
His Bodhi tree was a Pepper (
Pipphali
) tree.
His male supporters were Tapussa and Bhallika.
His female supporters were Sirimā and Koṇā.
His height was 80 cubits. He was splendid like a pillar of blazing light and a
great Sāla tree in full bloom.
The advantage of giving these particulars is this: Had they not been given,
he might have been mistaken for a Yakkha, a Deva, a Māra, or a Brahma.
One could think it is not strange at all that the wonderful events should
occur to such a divine being. This would have led to the wrong notion that
it was not worthwhile to listen to his teaching. Then there would have been
no possibility of realization of the attainment of liberation. On the other
hand, the particulars would give rise to the right belief that: “Powerful
indeed is this human being.” With this belief, beings would listen to his
teaching and could understand the truth or could attain liberation. Hence
such details were given.
Buddha Dīpaṅkara’s radiance spread by itself, i.e., without his exercising any
power, to all the directions reaching twelve leagues.