THE GREAT CHRONICLE OF BUDDHAS
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of Buddha VipassÊ. Its trunk was fifty cubits high and its main branches were also
exactly fifty cubits high, on the day the Bodhisatta approached it. It stood as though
it was covered by fragrant flowers of divine origin. It seemed to have been covered
not only by flowers but also by fruits. They were hanging from here and there:
young fruits on one side of the tree and the medium-sized fruits on another side.
Those ripe enough were all very tasty as if celestial nutriments was put in them. In
fact, they all possessed wonderful colour, flavour and taste. Likewise, all fruit-trees
and flower-trees in the ten-thousand world-system bore fruits and flowers on that
very day.
Three Occasions of The Buddha's Teaching (DhammÈbhisamaya)
After the attainment of Buddhahood, Buddha SikhÊ stayed in the neighbourhood of the
pundarÊka
MahÈbodhi tree for forty-nine days. Having complied with a BrahmÈ's request
for His Teaching, He contemplated as to whom He should teach first, and He saw the seven
millions fellow
bhikkhus
who were endowed with the merits of their past deeds, which
could lead to the Path and Fruition. He then, by His psychic power, immediately appeared
in MigÈjina Park, their residence near the city of ArunavatÊ. Sitting gracefully in the midst
of these seven million recluses, Buddha SikhÊ taught the Dhammacakka sermon, which was
also taught by previous Buddhas, to devas and humans who had come to listen. Then a
hundred thousand crores of devas and humans attained the Path and Fruition.
(This was the first
DhammÈbhisamaya
.)
At a later time, also near the city of AruÓavatÊ, the Buddha taught Dhamma to His future
Chief Disciples, Prince Abhibhu and Prince Sambhava and their retinues, and administered
the Elixir of Immortality to ninety thousand devas and humans.
(This was the second
DhammÈbhisamaya
.)
Still at another time, near a
Campaka
tree, close to the gate of SuriyavatÊ City, the
Buddha displayed the Twin Miracle and gave a discourse in order to suppress the arrogance
of heretics and to free beings from the bondage of defilements. At that time, eighty
thousand crores of devas and humans attained the Path and Fruition.
(This was the third
DhammÈbhisamaya
.)
Three Occasions of The Disciples' Meeting (SannipÈta)
There were three meetings of Buddha SikhÊ's
arahat-d
isciples
.
At the first meeting, in the
midst of a hundred thousand
arahats,
who were Princes Abhibhu’s and Sambhava’s
companions during their renunciation, Buddha SikhÊ recited the
OvÈda PÈÔimokkha
.
(This was the first
sannipÈta
.)
At a later time, in the midst of eighty thousand monks who had put on the robes at the
meeting of His relatives at Arunavati City, Buddha SikhÊ recited the
OvÈda PÈÔimokkha
.
(This was the second
sannipÈta
.)
Still at another time, in the midst of seventy thousand monks, who had become
bhikkhus
after He had tamed Dhanapalaka elephant of DhanaÒjaya City, Buddha SikhÊ recited the
OvÈda PÈÔimokkha
.
(This was the third
sannipÈta
.)
Future Buddha Gotama, as King Arindama, received Prophecy from Buddha SikhÊ
Meanwhile, our Bodhisatta was King Arindama, in the city of Paribhutta. When Buddha
SikhÊ visited the city with His retinue, the King welcomed Him. He paid homage to the
Buddha respectfully and invited Him to the palace where he performed grand alms-giving
befitting his status of kingship, high birth, of wealth and faith (in the Buddha).
He opened his warehouse of clothing and offered to the Sangha, headed by the Buddha,
several
kotis
of garments, which worth a great deal of money. (In common parlance, a
koti