Great Chronicles, III: Sumedha the Brahmin

This discourse on the Chronicles of the Buddhas (Buddha-vaṁsa) was delivered by the Buddha to his kinsmen, the Sakyas, on his first visit to the city of Kapilavatthu after his Awakening. The Sakyan elders and relatives, in their stubborn pride, did not pay obeisance to him when they gathered to meet him. In order to subdue their pride and make them show respect to him, the Buddha caused to appear in the sky a jewelled platform stretching from east to west throughout the 10,000 world-element and performed on it the twin miracle of water and fire.

The Pāli word for twin miracle is yamaka-pāṭihāriya, which Malalasekera calls: “The miracle of the double appearances.” He explains: “It consisted in the appearance of phenomena of opposite character in pairs e.g., producing flames from the upper part of the body and a stream of water from the lower, and then alternatively from the right side of his body and from the left. From every pore of his body a radiance of six colours darted forth, upwards to the realm of Brahma and downwards to the edge of the Cakkavāḷa.” DPPN, s.v. Yamaka pāṭihāriya.

While he was doing so, he gave the discourse on the lives of the Buddhas, beginning with the story of the Brahmin Sumedha, as requested by Ven. Sāriputta, the chief disciple, who had the honour of occupying the seat on the immediate right of the Buddha.^{The other chief disciple, Ven. Moggallāna, had the honour of occupying a similar seat on the immediate left of the Buddha.}

At the time of the First Council, the great elders, Ven. Mahā Kassapa, the Ven. Ānanda, etc., desiring to recite the full discourse of the Chronicles of the Buddhas (Buddha-vaṁsa) together with the introductions,^{The author gives details of the introduction in the chapter on the Chronicle of Buddha Gotama.} prescribed a set way of recitation (vācana-magga) beginning with the verse (Bv 1.1) Brahma Sahampati, chief in the world (Brahma ca Lokādhipati Sahampati). Here, however, the narration will begin with the story of the Brahmin Sumedha, as told by the Buddha, at the request of Ven. Sāriputta.

Four immeasurable periods and 100,000 aeons ago, there flourished the city of Amaravatī. A well-planned city in all respects, it was beautiful and pleasant. Surrounded by verdant and delightful open spaces, abounding in shades and springs, well-stocked with food and provisions and rich in assorted goods for people’s enjoyment, this city warmed the hearts of the Devas and human beings.

This city was ever resounding with the ten kinds of sounds, such as the sounds of elephants, horses, chariots, long drums, short drums, harps, singing, conch shells, clappers and of invitations to feasts, whereas other cities were full of unpleasant noises and alarming cries.

Here the author gives some examples of unpleasant noises and alarming cries to be heard in other cities. We have omitted them from our translation. In connection with the ten sounds refer to the Further Explanations.

This city was endowed with all characteristics of a metropolis. There was no scarcity of trades and crafts for earning a living. It was rich in the seven kinds of treasures, namely: diamonds, gold, silver, cat’s-eyes, pearls, emeralds and coral. It was crowded with foreign visitors. Provided with everything as in a Deva realm, it was the abode of a powerful people enjoying the benefits of meritorious deeds.

There lived in the city of Amaravatī a Brahmin named Sumedha.^{The author says Sumedha was so called “because he was endowed with praiseworthy wisdom.” [The name literally means “great intelligence.”]} His parents were descendants from a long line of Brahmin families. He was, therefore, a pure Brahmin by [26] birth from both paternal and maternal sides. He was born of a virtuous and healthy mother. He could not be treated with contempt on account of his birth, by saying: “This man is of low birth that goes back to seven generations of his ancestors.” He was not a man to be abused or despised. In fact, he was a man of true Brahmin blood with very good looks that charmed everyone.

As regards his wealth, he had treasures in store worth many billions and abundant grain and other commodities for daily use. He had studied the three Vedas of Iru, Yaju and Sāma, and, being expert in these texts, could recite them flawlessly. Effortlessly, he became well versed in 1) The glossaries that explains various terms (nighaṇḍu); 2) rhetoric (keṭubha), which is concerned with literary works and which explains various literary ornamentations of learned authors; 3) grammar (vyākaraṇa or akkhara-pabheda), that deals with the analysis of words and explains various grammatical rules and such things as the alphabet, consonants, vowels, etc.; and 4) Ancient Histories (Itihāsa), also called tales of old (purāṇa), which constitutes the fifth Veda and which tells of legends and ancient tales.

The author says: “Ancient Histories as the fifth Veda,” means it is the fifth in the enumeration of sciences, which according to the canon, should run: 1) Three Vedas, 2) glossaries (nighaṇḍu), 3) rhetoric (keṭubha) 4) grammar (vyākaraṇa) and 5) Ancient Histories (Itihāsa).

According to the Collection of the Long Discourses (Dīgha-nikāya) commentary, by adding the fourth, Atharvaveda (Athabbaṇa), the Vedas become four in number and hence Ancient Histories (Itihāsa), which comes after them, is the fifth.

He was equally well-versed in Lokāyata, or natural philosophy, which discourages deeds of merit and favours actions which prolong Saṁsāra and in works dealing with various characteristics of great men, such as Perfect Bodhisattas, Independent Bodhisattas, etc. He was also an accomplished teacher in Brahmanical lore that had been taught by generation after generation of teachers.

The parents of the wise Sumedha passed away while he was still young. Then the family treasurer, bringing the list of riches, opened the treasure-house which was full of gold, silver, rubies, pearls, etc., said: “Young master, this much is the wealth that has come down from your mother’s side and this much from your father’s, and this much from your ancestors.” He informed him of his wealth which had belonged to seven generations of his ancestors, and saying: “Do as you wish with these riches,” handed them over to him.