THE GREAT CHRONICLE OF BUDDHAS
604
victory bouquet is not earmarked for you. I, the Buddha, have the power to accomplish any
task that lies beyond the achievement of any other person. It is no wonder that there is no
match for Me when I have become a Fully Self-Enlightened Buddha. I had no equal even
when I was born as an irrational creature and my
pÈramÊ
accomplishment was still
immature.‛ At the request of Venerable MoggallÈna, the Buddha propounded Kanha Usaba
JÈtaka (vide Ekanipata: 3-Kurunga vagga, the ninth JÈtaka).
Creation of A Walk
After recounting the Kanha Usaba JÈtaka, the Buddha created a jewelled Walk, which
extended from one end to the other end at a group of ten thousand world-systems, standing
from east to west in a row. The ten thousand MahÈ Merus in the ten thousand world-
systems served as posts in the creation of the Walk. The eastern perimeter of the Walk
rested on the edge of the eastern-most world-system; the western perimeter of the Walk
rested on the western end of the western-most word system. The width of the Walk was
twelve
yojanas
. The bordering surfaces on either side of the Walk were golden in colour;
the middle portion of the entire Walk was filled with earth of rubies, and the rafters,
beams, purloins were finished with various kinds of shining gems, the roofing was of gold,
and balusters lining the Walk were of gold; ruby and pearl grains were spread like sand on
entire surface of the structure.
On each of the four sides of the Walk, extending to 12
yojanas
, was the audience of
human beings. The number of devas, humans and BrahmÈs was uncountable. It was in the
midst of such an audience that the Buddha demonstrated the Twin Miracles. The following
is an excerpt, in abridged form, from the PÈli Text.
(1) When there were flames of fire appearing from the upper part of the body, there
were streams of water flowing from the lower part of the body and when there were
flames of fire appearing from the lower part of the body, there were streams of
water flowing from the upper of the body.
(2) When there were flames of fire appearing from the front part of the body, there were
streams of water flowing from the back part of the body and when there were flames
of fire appearing from the back part, there were streams of water flowing from the
front of the body.
(3) When there were flames of fire appearing from the right eye, there were streams of
water flowing from the left eye and when there were flames of fire appearing from
the left eye, there were streams of water flowing from the right eye.
(4) When there were flames of fire appearing from the right ear, there were streams of
water flowing from the left ear and when there were flames of fire appearing from
the left ear, there were streams of water flowing from the right ear.
(5) When there were flames of fire appearing from the right nostril, there were streams
of water flowing from the left nostril and when there were flames of fire appearing
from the left nostril, there were streams of water flowing from the right nostril.
(6) When there were flames of fire appearing from the edge of the right shoulder, there
were streams of water flowing from the edge of the left shoulder and when there
were flames of fire appearing from the edge of the left shoulder, there were streams
of water flowing from the edge of the right shoulder.
(7) When there were flames of fire appearing from the right hand, there were streams of
water flowing from the left hand and when there were flames of fire appearing from
the left hand, there were streams of water flowing from the right hand.
(8) When there were flames of fire appearing from the right side of the body, there were
streams of water flowing from the left side of the body; and, when there were flames
of fire appearing from the left side of the body, there were streams of water flowing
from the right side of the body.
(9) When there were flames of fire appearing from the right leg, there were streams of
water flowing from the left leg; and, when there were flames of fire appearing from