THE GREAT CHRONICLE OF BUDDHAS
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followers, became monks and attained arahantship. In the midst of these monks, the
Buddha recited the
OvÈda PÈÔimokkha
.
(This was the first
sannipÈta
.)
At another time, at the gathering where the divine-
yakkha
Sudassana was tamed, ninety
crores of men put on the robe and attained arahantship. Being surrounded by these ninety
crores of monks, the Buddha recited the
OvÈda PÈÔimokkha
.
(This was the second
sannipÈta
.)
Still at another time, on the occasion of taming of the elephant Donamukham, eighty
crores of men renounced the world and attained arahantship. In the midst of these eighty
crores of
arahats
, the Buddha recited the
OvÈda PÈÔimokkha
.
(This was the third
sannipÈta
.)
Future Buddha Gotama, as Brahmin Kassapa, received Prophecy from Buddha PiyadassÊ
At that time, our future Buddha was a brahmin youth, Kassapa by name, who was
accomplished in the three Vedas. Having listened to the Buddha's Teaching, he cultivated
great faith and had a huge monastery built at the cost of one hundred thousand crores. He
then offered it to the Sangha headed by the Buddha. Rejoicing in his act of merit, he took
refuge in the Three Gems and kept the Five Precepts steadfastly, lest he should become
heedless.
Remaining in the midst of the Sangha, Buddha PiyadassÊ made the prophecy concerning
the youth, Kassapa: ‚One thousand eight hundred aeons from the present one, this youth,
Kassapa, will become a Buddha indeed.‛
Having heard Buddha PiyadassÊ's prophecy, the Bodhisatta was extremely happy and
determined to fulfil the Perfections even more energetically.
Particulars of Buddha PiyadassÊ.
Buddha PiyadassÊ's birthplace was SudhÈÒÒavatÊ City. His father was King Sudatta
and His mother was Queen CandÈ.
He reigned for nine thousand years. His three palaces were Sunimmala, Vimala
and Giriguha.
His Chief Consort was VimalÈ who had thirty-three thousand maids of honour. His
son was Prince KaÒcanavela.
The vehicle He used for His going forth, after seeing the four omens, was a
chariot drawn by thoroughbred horses. He practised
dukkaracariyÈ
for six months.
His two male Chief Disciples were Palita Thera and Sabbadassi Thera. His
attendant was Sobhita Thera.
His two female Chief Disciples were SujÈtÈ TherÊ and DhammadinnÈ TherÊ.
His Bodhi tree was a
Kakudha
tree.
His noble male lay-supporters were the wealthy men, Sundaka and Dhammaka. His
noble female lay-disciples were VisÈkha UpÈsikÈ and DhammadinnÈ UpÈsikÈ.
Buddha PiyadassÊ had innumerable followers and good reputation. He was also
endowed with thirty-two marks of an extra-ordinary being. His height was eighty
cubits, like a great
sÈla
tree in full bloom.
There was no torch-light, moonlight or sunlight that could vie with the physical
light of the peerless Buddha PiyadassÊ which surpassed them all.
The life span during the time of Buddha PiyadassÊ was ninety thousand years.
Living for four-fifth of this life span, He rescued many beings, such as devas,
humans and BrahmÈs, from the currents of
saÑsÈra
and put them on the shores of
NibbÈna.
SaÑvega