Mahāpajāpati Gotamī Therī

Part -1

During the time of Buddha Padumuttara, Mahāpajāpati Gotamī Therī was born into a wealthy family in the city of Haṃsāvatī, . On one occasion, she was listening to a discourse by the Buddha when she happened to see a bhikkhunī being named by the Buddha as the foremost among the bhikkhunīs who were enlightened earliest (The bhikkhu who is the senior-most in the Order). She aspired to the same distinction in a future existence. So, she made extraordinary offerings to the Buddha and expressed that wish before Him. The Buddha predicted that her aspiration would be fulfilled.

In Her Previous Existence as The Head of Water-carriers

In that life, she led a life of charity and observed the moral precepts and at the end of her life she was reborn in the deva realm. When she passed away from deva existence during the interval between the two Buddhas, she was reborn into the slave class in Bārāṇasī, as the head of water carriers.

Then, when the rains-retreat period was drawing near, five Pacceka Buddhas who lived in Ghandamū Cave, descended at the Migadāya Forest, near Bārāṇasī, from the sky and went into the city to gather alms-food. They stayed at the Isipatana Migadāya forest after the alms-round and discussed among themselves about seeking help in making small dwelling places for forthcoming rains-retreat.

(In a Supreme Buddha’s dispensation, the bhikkhu, who vows to remain at a chosen place during the rains-retreat period, is required by the Vinaya Rules to live in a sort of dwelling with some roof (made of slate, or baked tile, or cement tile, or grass or leaves or such) and with a door. This rule has no exception even for those bhikkhus who have vowed to observe such austere practices as the Nālaka practice or the Dhuthāngha practice. If a dwelling for the purpose is not offered to them ready-made, they have to seek assistance in getting one built. This dwelling is the place where they vow to live during the three-month rains-retreat period, and is essential for making the vow.)

The five Pacceka Buddhas, who were with the intention of looking for dwelling in the rains-retreat, arranged their robes in the evening and entered the city of Bārāṇasī to seek assistance. Their going into the city was noted by the chief of the water carriers. The Pacceka Buddhas stood at the door of the rich man of Bārāṇasī but when they told him about their need, the rich man said,

“We were not prepared to help. May the revered ones go elsewhere.”

The chief of water carriers met the Pacceka Buddhas as they came out of the city at the city gate and putting down the water pot, she made obeisance. Then she asked the purpose of the revered ones in going into the city and coming out so soon from it. The Pacceka Buddhass told her that they were seeking assistance to have a small dwelling built for the rains-retreat period. And also on further inquiry, she learnt that the need was still unfulfilled. She asked them:

“Is this dwelling to be the gift of only well-to-do donors? Or is it proper for a slave like me to donate one?”

“Anybody may do so, female lay supporter,” they replied.

“Very well, Venerable Sirs, we shall donate the dwellings tomorrow. Meantime, may the Venerables accept my offering of food tomorrow.”

After making the invitation, she picked up her water pot and, instead of returning to the city, she went back to the water-hole and gathered her company of water carriers there. Then she said to them:

“Now girls, do you want to be slaves to others all the time? Or do you want freedom from servitude?”

They answered in unison: “We want freedom from servitude!”

“If so, I have invited the five Pacceka Buddhas to an offering tomorrow. They are in need of dwellings. Let your husbands give their helping hands for one day tomorrow.”

“Very well,” they all said. They told this to their husbands in the evening after the latter had come home from the forest where they worked. The men all agreed to help and made an appointment at the door of the chief of the male slaves. When they had assembled there, the head of the water carriers urged them to lend a hand in building dwellings for the five Pacceka Buddhas during the rains-retreat period, and thus extolling great benefits of such contribution. A few of the men, who did not agree to help at first, were admonished by her and persuaded into the task.

The next morning, the head of the water carriers offered food to the five Pacceka Buddhas. After that, she signalled the five hundred male slaves to start work. They promptly went to the forest, cut down trees, and each group of a hundred men built a modest dwelling unit for one Pacceka Buddhas, complete with an adjacent walk to it. They filled the water pots and saw to the bare essentials in five dwellings for the five Pacceka Buddhas. They then offered them to the Pacceka Buddhas, requesting them to dwell there during the rains-retreat period. Having received the consent of the revered ones, they also took turns to offer daily food to them.

If there was some poor water carrier who was unable to prepare a meal for the five Pacceka Buddhas on her appointed day, the head of the water carriers would give her the necessary provisions. The three months of vassa thus passed. Near the end of the vassa, the head of the water carriers asked the five hundred slave girls each to weave a piece of rough cloth. The five hundred pieces collected from them were exchanged for five sets of fine robes which were offered, one set to each of the five Pacceka Buddhas. The Pacceka Buddhas, after receiving the robes, rose to the sky in the presence of their donors and went away in the direction of Gandamādāna mountain.

In the Past Existence as The Chief Weaver

These water carriers slave girls spent the rest of their life in doing meritorious acts. On their death, they were reborn in the deva realm. The head of the deva girls, on her passing away, was reborn into the family of the chief weaver, in a weaver’s village, near Bārāṇasī.

One day, the five hundred sons of Queen Paduma devī, all Pacceka Buddhas, went to the door of the royal palace at the Bārāṇasī on invitation. But there was no one to attend to them; to offer seats or to offer food. They had to return to their abode. As they left the city and were at the weaver’s village, the chief weaver, who had much devotion for them and after paying obeisance to them, offered food. The Pacceka Buddhas accepted her offering of food with their requisites.

Her Last Existence as the Foster mother of the Supreme Buddha

The chief weaver spent the rest of her life in deeds of merit. After passing away from that existence, she was reborn in the deva realm or the human realm in turns, On the eve of the appearing of Buddha Gotama, she was reborn into the Sakyan royal family as the younger daughter of King Mahā Suppabuddha in Devadaha. She was named Gotamī and was the younger sister of Princess Mahāmāyā. Court astrologers, learned in the Vedas and adept at reading human forms and marks (physiognomy) and palmistry, after scrutinizing the distinctive bodily features of the two sisters predicted that the sons born of the two sisters would become a Universal Monarch.

When the two sisters came of age, they were betrothed to King Suddhodāna and they were taken to Kapilavatthu where Princess Mahāmāyā was made the Chief Queen. Later, the Bodhisatva (Buddha-to-be passed) away from Tusitā Deva realm and was conceived in the womb of Queen Mahāmāyā. After the Queen had given birth to her son on the Vesak full moon day, on the seventh day, she passed away and was reborn in Tusitā Deva realm. On the death of Queen Mahāmāyā, King Suddhodāna made the younger sister, Queen Gotamī, the Chief Queen.

After Queen Mahāmāyā had given birth to Prince Siddhattha, two or three days later, Queen Mahāpajāpati Gotamī, the step mother of Prince Siddhattha, gave birth to Prince Nanda. So, at the time Queen Mahāmāyā died, Prince Siddhattha was only seven days old while Prince Nanda was only four or five days old. Queen Mahāpajāpati Gotamī nursed her nephew, Prince Siddhattha, from her own breast, while leaving her own son, Prince Nanda, to be nurtured by nurses. She devoted her whole attention to the bringing up of her little nephew, the Buddha-to-be.

Later, the Bodhisatva renounced the world and attained Supreme Enlightenment. While He was on the Buddha’s mission to bring welfare to the world, He made His first visit to Kapilavatthu. On the next day, after His arrival, He went into the city to collect alms-food. His father, King Suddhodāna, had the opportunity to listen to the Buddha’s discourse while He was still on His alms-round and resulted in him attaining the Stream-Entry Knowledge. Then on the second day, Prince Nanda was admitted into the Order. On the seventh day, the Buddha’s son, Rāhula, was admitted as a novice. Those incidents took place as follows.

King Suddhodāna sending His Ministers to invite the Buddha to the Royal City

The Buddha was then residing at the Veḷuvana Monastery, in Rājagaha, administering the Deathless Elixir of Dhamma to devas, humans, and Brahmās who went to His presence. He had helped some sentient beings to be established as firm believers of the Three Gems, others were able to gain the Path and Fruition in accordance with their aspirations and resolve; while some people of good families from Anga and Magadha countries were granted ordination with attainment of the Path and Fruition.

While this great festival of emancipation was being held daily, King Suddhodāna heard the news that his son had attained the most Exalted Buddhahood after undergoing a strenuous course of practice for six years and that having preached the first Sermon of Dhammacakka, He was residing in great and noble glory at Veḷuvana Monastery, Rājagaha, like the moon amidst the stars in the sky.

Hearing these news, the King sent for a minister and said to him:

“O Minister! go you now, with one thousand attendants, to the city of Rājagaha and address my son, the Enlightened One, in these words of mine: ‘Glorious Buddha, your father King Suddhodāna is desirous of paying homage to you’ and invite Him to come here.”

“Very well, Your Majesty,” replied the minister and he set off without delay, carrying the royal message and in the company of one thousand attendants to Rājagaha which was 60 yojanas from Kapilavatthu. He arrived there at a time when the Buddha was teaching Dhamma in the midst of an audience at the Veḷuvana Monastery.

The minister thought to himself:

“I may as well listen to the discourse before delivering the King’s message.”

While standing and listening to the discourse from the far end of the audience, he and his one thousand attendants, as a consequence, attained Arahantship. They therefore, approached the Buddha and made the request:

“Glorious Buddha, may we receive admission to the Order and ordination as bhikkhu in your presence.”

Thereupon, the Blessed One stretched out His hand and said: ‘Etha Bhikkhu, etc.” Instantly, with the call of “Etha Bhikkhu”, the minister and the one thousand royal attendants transformed into full-fledged bhikkhus like senior theres of sixty year’s standing, readily robed and equipped with eight supernaturally created requisites, each in its place, paying homage to the Buddha with due to respect. Their state of minister and royal attendants miraculously disappeared as they were transformed into bhikkhus.

(From the moment of attainment of arahatta-phala, noble persons, as a matter of course, become indifferent to mundane affairs, as such, the minister did not convey the King’s message to the Buddha but simply passing his time enjoying the bliss of Arahatta-phala.)

Finding that the minister whom he sent did not return in due time and no news was even heard, the King was anxious to know the reason of their silence. So he sent again another minister on the same mission and in the same manner. This minister, too, having gone to Veḷuvana Monastery in Rājagaha with his attendants, attained arahantship after hearing the discourse given by the Buddha and became ehi-bhikkhus. They neither conveyed to the Buddha the royal message nor did they send back any report to the King. They remained there enjoying the Fruits of Arahantship.

King Suddhodāna sent altogether nine ministers, each with one thousand royal attendants on the same mission. All the nine ministers, with their attendants, attained Arahantship after hearing the discourse given by the Buddha and became ehi-bhikkhus. They neither conveyed to the Buddha the royal message nor did they send back any report to the King. They remained there enjoying the Fruits of Arahantship.

Sending Kaludayi, A Birth-mate (of the Buddha)

When King Suddhodāna came to know that none of the ministers and attendants had returned nor come into his presence to tell him anything, he thought:

“So many, nine thousand and nine persons, have not come back to my presence even to give a report, because they have no close affection and regard for me at all.” He wondered: “Who will carry out my orders with due speed and without delay.”

His searching mind began to work and scrutinizing carefully, at last he saw Minister Kaludayi. As an administrative official, he was charged with managing general affairs of the court and also being one nearer and dearer to the Royal family. Thus, as a trustworthy confidant, the King picked out Kaludayi, who was also his son’s birth-mate, as he was born on the same day. They were playmates since their infancy and were intimate friends.

Therefore, the King told Kaludayi:

“My son, Kaludayi, I, being desirous of paying homage to my son, the Buddha, had sent nine ministers, each accompanied by one thousand attendants, but not even one of them has returned with any news. One cannot know with certainty what danger there is to one’s life. I wish to see and pay homage to my son while I am still living. Dear son Kaludayi, will you be able to strive your utmost to undertake this task so that I may see my son?”

Kaludayi replied: “Your Majesty, it would be possible for me to do so if I am granted permission to enter monkhood.”

Then the King replied: “Dear son Kaludayi, whether you enter monkhood or not, do try your utmost to undertake the task so that I may see my son.”

“Very well,” promised Kaludayi who then set out for Rājagaha, accompanied by one thousand attendants, carrying the King’s message for the Buddha. (As stated before) arriving there, while the Buddha was teaching a discourse, they stood listening to it from the far end of the audience. As a consequence, Kaludayi and his one thousand attendants attained arahatta-phala and became ehi-bhikkhus too.

Kaludayi requesting The Buddha to visit The Royal City of Kapilavatthu

(After His Enlightenment, the Buddha spent His first rains-retreat at Isipatana, Migadaya. At the end of the retreat and having performed the pavāraṇā ceremony, He set out for the Uruvelā forest where He stayed for the whole of three months teaching and instructing the three hermit brothers and their one thousand followers till they attained Arahantship. Then accompanied by the one thousand Arahats who were former hermits, the Buddha made His way to Rājagaha where He arrived on the full moon day of Phussa and resided there for the entire two months. The Buddha taught and instructed more than ten thousand young men of good families from Anga and Magadha countries until they became Arahats and ordained as bhikkhus. Thus five months had passed since Buddha departed from Bārāṇasī; the cold winter months were over and it was spring, the full moon day of Phagguna. And it was a week after Kaludayi had arrived at the presence of the Buddha.)

On that full moon day, Thera Kaludayi thought to himself: “The cold season is over and spring has arrived. Cultivators and farmers have finished gathering their harvests and they have opened up pathways leading to all destinations. The great earth is verdant, covered with luxurious growth of green grass. In the surrounding woods, forest trees have shed their old leaves and look resplendent in their new leaves, bearing flowers and fruits. Neither too cold nor too hot, it is a good time for travelling, it is time now for the Buddha to visit the royal relatives and give them His Blessings.”

Having thought thus, he approached the Buddha and addressed Him with the following sixty verses, supplicating to make a visit to the royal city of Kapilavatthu.

1.) Venerable Lord and Great benefactor, winter has gone and spring has set in, all the trees have shed their decayed leaves and as if to acquire fresh fruits, have sprouted tender leaves and flower buds of glowing ember-red. Stimulated by the changing weather, these colourful trees are shining bright.

Venerable Lord of Mighty Diligence, Mahāvīra, with lustrous body, the time is opportune to (pay a) visit to Kapilavatthu, the country of your birth.

5. ) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, now that on either side of the roadway, seasonal shrubs and plants are adorned with the most fascinating sprigs and decoratively set with delicate leaves free from dirt and dust, looking like bouquets of peacock’s tails, they make all the environs (present) a splendid and wonderful scene……

12.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, fine silvery sands, resembling brilliant white pearls of even size, orderly arranged by skilful smiths, lie in stretches for travellers to tread upon with ease and comfort and hind colour and beauty to the environs…..

13.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, mother earth is free from dirt, the whole stretch of land is void of knoll and trench, unbroken and even, affording a smooth and gentle sense of touch. The air is charged with sweet scents from lovely flowers. The whole spectacle is beautiful, all is clean and pleasant, making travelling most enjoyable and appropriate….

20.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, in all eight directions, everywhere we look, ranges of towering mountain, dark green and distinct as the colourful ring round the neck of a peacock…..

21.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, on all hilltops on either side of the road, many peacocks, each with its own true and dear mate, struts about back and forth, with their tails raised fan-wise gorgeously, wings outstretched, and heads uplifted, dancing in emulation of human kind. With melodious voices of varying notes, in Magadha they joyously crow and sing: “Oway, Oway.”….

28.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the section of the road, between Rājagaha and Kapilavatthu, is lined with villages where varieties of hygienic food-stuff, sweet-meats, delicacies of the season are easily available at this time of harvesting….

29.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the land above the flowing woodland is beautiful indeed. In the depths of night, as if with Indira’s help, a fantastically splendid scene is created; the land glows with reddish lights reflected from red flying insects, red as drops of betel juice…..

35.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, all along the route, there are spacious rest-houses and assembly halls providing ample shade and water to travelling bhikkhus and laity who take shelter to refresh and delight and give every comfort of body and mind…..

36.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, all along the route between Rājagaha and Kapilavatthu, virtuous and pious people have constructed ponds and garden and planted with trees of exotic varieties and the whole region is filled with sweet scents…..

43.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the woody route between Rājagaha and Kapilavatthu abounds with abodes that are suitable for permanent residence of the hermits and monks who greatly dread the oppression of enslaving defilements…..

44.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, groves of fruit trees with various plump fruits are free from disturbance and ever delightful. The resulting tranquillity of the five senses greatly promotes the development of joyful satisfaction (pīti) and concentration (samādhi) for the travelling bhikkhus and laity…..

51.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, for the benefit of those lovers of sweet scents, various species of flowers all over the earth are in blossom through contact with the beams of the moon shining at great distance in the sky…..

52.) Venerable Lord and Great benefactor, the entire surface of the earth looks splendid as though it has been besmeared with the cool, clear, silvery beams of the moon, and beautified and adorned with various night-blooming flowers. It resembles a fair maid profusely and becomingly decked with flowers…..

59.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the princes, scion of the unbroken dynasty of monarchs of Kapilavatthu, being bedecked with best radiant costumes, are as graceful as their counterparts of the Kingdom of Tāvatiṃsa where Sakka rules supreme.

Venerable Lord of Mighty Diligence, Mahāvīra, with lustrous body, the time is opportune to (pay a) visit Kapilavatthu, the country of your birth.

2.) Venerable Lord and Great benefactor, all the trees, wearing their coral-red sprouts and tender emerald-green leaves, are wondrously and delightfully beautiful, resembling pavilions shining with jewel-like brilliancy.

Venerable Lord of Mighty Diligence, Mahāvīra, with lustrous body, the time is opportune to (pay a) visit Kapilavatthu, the country of your birth,

6.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, seasonal trees and plants are adorned with young fruits and delicate leaves; the whole environs not only present a fascinating sight at every turn but also, like welcoming home and rest houses they refresh and delight the heart of weary travelling bhikkhus and lay men……

11.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, mother earth, on all sides, everywhere vastly covered with lush and Bermuda grass, affords a fine and delightful scene. The trees, richly adorned with lovely blossoms, are like a maiden’s well-embellished tapering coiled hair…..

14.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, beautified by the presence of fascinating trees and atmosphere laden with sweet and exotic scents of flowers, the woodland passage between Rājagaha and Kapilavatthu has the appearance of Nandavana garden as if devas have transformed it into a stage for tumultuous celebration of the festival of devas…..

19.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, huge elephants in must, trumpet with voices as clear as those of singing cranes; great volumes of water rushing down from the hills and majestic rivers flowing swift and strong are beautiful to behold….

22.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, numerous lovely birds, each with the variegated and exotic plumage of species, are perching on the hill-tops on either side of the route and singing sweet songs…..

27.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the woody section of the road, permeated with sweet scent from the fragrant trees, is wonderful like the Nandavana of the celestial world; it is a perpetual source of joy, a locality of peace and tranquillity for the travelling bhikkhus and the laity…..

30.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, along the route from Rājagaha to Kapilavatthu, at the intermediate stations, all the virtuous people from the neighbourhood, with pure and holy faith, have been waiting with ardent expectation: “The Lord of the three worlds, the Omniscient, the Monarch of the Dhamma, will surely come past our place, along this very route.”….

34.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, every yojana of the route is beautiful and delightful. To please the heart are affluent alms-offering villages which are easy of access. These villages, at each stop, are dense with villagers and abundant alms food and drink, ungrudgingly offered, is available without much effort…..

37.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the gently blowing breeze is soft and cool, the sky above is free from dark, brown and black threatening rain clouds and the the whole environs in all direction is clear, bright, and beautiful to view…..

42.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, this delightful woody part of the route between Rājagaha and Kapilavatthu is the haunt of many heavenly musicians (gandhabba), beings possessed of supernatural powers and mystical winged beings, Kinnarās (having the body of a bird but with a human face) who sing with melodious notes as they move or fly about…..

45.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, numerous birds of varying feathers take refuge in the woody tract between Rājagaha and Kapilavatthu. Every town has its own hamlet filled with villagers, shifting from place to place in groups of common interest, at their will and pleasure, where bhikkhus can go for alms…..

50.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the silvery rays of the moon keep the sky becomingly bright. The earth also appears delightfully clean, and the environs in all directions is cool and clean…..

53.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, all along the route from Rājagaha to Kapilavatthu, elephants in must trumpet with their voices resembling that of the sweet sounds of cranes. Multifarious birds with strange wonderful plumage sing sweetly and merrily from all directions…..

58.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the royal capital city of Kapilavatthu has a magnificent wall around it, a strong reinforced gateway, with the surface of the ground as even as the face of a drum. The seat of the descendents of the ruling monarchs, with a delightful and clean and broad road-way, it is like the city of Tāvatiṃsa, the abode of the celestials…..

60.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, Most Exalted Chief of the Munis. Your father, King Suddhodāna, being desirous of seeing and paying homage to you, his son, the most Exalted of noble Munis, in consideration of lengthy separation and in view of his ripe old age, had sent ten groups of ministers for ten times, each group accompanied by one thousand attendants charged with the responsibility of inviting you to the Royal City.

Venerable Lord of Mighty Diligence, Mahāvīra, with lustrous body, the time is opportune to (pay a) visit Kapilavatthu, the country of your birth.

3.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, on either side of the roadway, all kinds of trees and seasonal plants are crowded with blossoms to the very top. Adorned with flowers in full bloom, every tree stands lovely; the clear air is filled with fragrant odour and the environs amazingly beautiful to behold.

Venerable Lord of Mighty Diligence, Mahāvīra, with lustrous body, the time is opportune to (pay a) visit Kapilavatthu, the country of your birth.

7.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, numerous species of creeping plants in full bloom, enveloping the bushy plants, afford a fine and splendid sight. Assuming the form of a big pavilion studded with a variety of precious jewels, it gladdens the heart of travellers, bhikkhus and laity alike……

10.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, numerous species of beasts, gambolling and running, can be seen trotting joyfully to and fro in groups or pairs with pricked-up ears and lovable wide eyes…..

15.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the ponds along the route are full of clear, clean and cool water, and decorated with five varieties of lotus thriving from the silt, are wonderfully beautiful to the view and fill the heart with delight…..

18.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the bees and bumble bees buzz noisily and ceaselessly as they swarm about sipping the sweet and juicy nectar from the flowers in full bloom. These bees, big and small, fly about the entire area, diffusing the whole region with the sweet scent of nectar….

23.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, on either side of the route, there are ranges of mountains with flowering trees of rare specimen emitting sweetscents and presenting a delightful scene…..

26.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the trees on the banks of lakes and ponds, on either side of the route, are in full blossom and the whole region is permeated with sweet scents. With the fresh and decorative sprigs and leaf shoots gorgeously adorning their tops, they look like gracious maidens of the world of celestial beings….

31.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the clear, clean ponds within the magnificent gardens are covered to full capacity by lilies of the choicest quality. The delicious juice, from the stalks and projecting roots of the lilies, is as delicious as milk and the whole area is permeated with their fragrance…..

33.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, like a streak of wonderful dark brown clouds, the long and narrow woodland route between Rājagaha and Kapilavatthu stretches, fresh and green, resembling a covered passage of emerald, like the garden of Nandavana in the celestial abode of Sakka. The weather is fair and temperate at all seasons, and groves of various flowers emit sweet scents…..

38.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, along the route between Rājagaha and Kapilavatthu, wafted by gentle breeze, only light showers fall at night, just enough to prevent the dust from arising, and during the day, the sun shines softly with tolerable brightness and heat…..

41.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the sky is filled with masses of clear, silvery clouds, joyful and delightful to view. As though adorned with precious ornaments set with emeralds, the environs are extremely beautiful to behold…..

46.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, all along that route there are numerous hamlets where commodities or consumable goods such as food and clothing, also lodging and sweet-scents, different specimens of flowers, perfumes of all grades, mild or strong are readily available. The whole region has many rich people of the commercial world…..

49.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, when the moon rises, the happy, merry people on mother earth sit on the floors of the verandas of their houses; and enter into conversation. Together with their loved ones, they are full of joy…..

54.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, winter has gone and the summer has just set in; it is the most opportune time to go on a journey. The countryside is rich and prosperous and replete with the seven characteristics, is worthy of praise and capable of giving comfort to mind and body….

57.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the city of Kapilavatthu is majestic with turrets, bastions and tired-roofed structures. Fields of lovely lilies in full bloom adorn it and wonderful moats make it extremely delightful.

Venerable Lord of Mighty Diligence, Mahāvīra, with lustrous body, the time is opportune to (pay a) visit Kapilavatthu, the country of your birth.

4.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, on either side of the roadway, all kinds of trees have borne assorted fruits; wayfarers, both bhikkhus and laity alike, can satisfy their hunger and quench their thirst.

Venerable Lord of Mighty Diligence, Mahāvīra, with lustrous body, the time is opportune to (pay a) visit Kapilavatthu, the country of your birth.

8.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, like the daughters and daughters-inlaw of good birth embracing their beloved husbands, just so numerous species of beautiful creeping plants keep clinging to the trees as parasites and emitting sweet odours seem to be seductively attracting the delight of both bhikkhus and laity…..

9.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, from all directions, multifarious birds, strangely beautiful with bright darkly bluish plumage, can be seen flying, dancing, singing sweet and loud, mingling among themselves in couples in jubilant celebration, much to the joy and delight of the travelling bhikkhus and laity……

16.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, fully bloomed lilies, dancing on the surface of the ponds, afford scenes of beauty, fragrant with the clean sweet smell of the flowers. The lovely ponds greatly delight the approaching devas and humans…..

17.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, birds of varying hue, drunk with nectar from the proudly-blooming fully bloomed lilies on which they have alighted, sing loud and melodiously from all round. Together with their true and lovely mates, they fly about in joyous delight….

24.) Venerable Lord of Great Benefactor, all the lakes and ponds, like those in the gardens of Sakka, the ruler of the devas, permeated with sweet scents and the rivers flowing swiftly with strong currents make a whole fascinating scene….

25.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, rows of fascinating riverine towns adorn the rivers along their course, and like traps, these rivers attract various delightful birds of passage. Flowing swiftly and ceaselessly, they are beautiful to behold….

32.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, on either side of the route, all the trees are thickly covered with lush, extra-ordinary decorative foliage of darkgreen, jutting out splendidly to great heights and resemble throngs of human beings,….

39.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, full-grown male elephants in must, and thus strongly intoxicated, run hither and thither in the company of their true mates and merrily enjoy themselves trumpeting aloud with voices resembling the crowing of the cranes; they run where they wish, out of joy and jollity…..

40.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the route of lush, dark green woodland, between Rājagaha and Kapilavatthu, is really a splendid and attractive spectacle, resembling masses of dark brownish clouds in the sky. To the travelling bhikkhus and laity, its charm and great beauty is a source of wonder and delight…..

47.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, all along the woody tract, at many villages there are virtuous people (enjoying the fruits of their past meritorious deeds) at the height of wealth and high reputation, and leading a life of ease and comfort. With ample wealth and numerous accessories for use, they live a luxurious life in diverse ways…..

48.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the clouds in the sky are clean and clear, the moon shines with all its brightness keeping the environs illuminated, at night, mild breeze, cool and gentle, blows softly in contrast with the biting wind of winter…..

55.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the stretch of road ahead is wonderfully beautiful, resembling the enchanted garden of Nandavana which is created by the virtue of devas. To monks travelling through the woodland it is ever a source of innocent delight in the beauty of wood and forest, in contrast to those associated with the five objects of sensual pleasures…..

56.) Venerable Lord and Great Benefactor, the residential capital of your royal parents, relatives and their descents, Kapilavatthu, so named for being established on the site of the monastery of Kapila, who is a holy hermit, is as delightful as Tāvatiṃsa, the beautiful abode of celestials.

Venerable Lord of Mighty Diligence, Mahāvīra, with lustrous body, the time is opportune to (pay a) visit Kapilavatthu, the country of your birth.

(Herein it should be noted especially that, although the actual total number of stanzas is sixty-four, commentaries and Sub-commentaries count them as sixty; thus there is a slight difference of four stanzas as in the case of Atthasalini Mula Tika where kilesas are counted in like manner, allowing such negligible numbers to go unheeded on the strength of canonical saying “appakam hi unam adhikam va gananupagam na hoti—— such small shortage or excess should be neglected.”)

On such a presentation being made by the Venerable Kaludayi, the Buddha responded:

“Son Kaludayi, why do you urge Me to visit Kapilavatthu by presenting such words of praise and in such a sweet tone?”

The Venerable Kaludayi answered:

“Most Exalted One, your old father, King Suddhodāna, wishes so much to pay homage to you and the Sangha. I pray that you may do honour to the royal relatives by your visit.”

Then the Buddha granted His request in these words:

“Your request is granted, son, Kaludayi. You may give intimation to the Sangha of my forth coming visit to Kapilavatthu to do honour to the royal relatives, and they will perform usual, formal rites as demanded by this occasion.”

“Very well, my Lord,” replied the Venerable Kaludayi and duly informed the 2000 bhikkhus as he was bid.

(From the book: The Great Chronicle of Buddhas | by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)