20. The Chronicle of Buddha Sikhī
After the end of the aeon in which Buddha Vipassī appeared, no Buddhas appeared in the world for 59 aeons as these were empty aeons (suñña-kappas). There was no light of Dhamma. In fact, the total darkness of ignorance (avijjā) prevailed and only Māra, the Wicked One and the defilements, reigned supreme in the world without any opposition. It was their whim and fancy that beings were bound to follow. When the 59 empty aeons were over, 31 aeons previous to the present one, two Buddhas, Sikhī and Vessabhū, appeared in a two-Buddha aeon (maṇḍa-kappa).
The chronicle of the Buddha Sikhī, the first of the two is as follows: In that aeon, when the lifespan of human beings decreased from immeasurables and reached 70,000 years, on complete fulfilment of the perfections, Bodhisatta Sikhī was reborn in Tusita. Having agreed to the request made by Devas and Brahmas to become a Buddha, he descended to the human world to be conceived in the womb of Pabhāvatī, consort of King Aruṇa of Aruṇavatī city. When ten months had elapsed, the Bodhisatta was born in Nisabha Park. On his naming day, learned readers of omens and his relatives named him Sikhī, because a band on his head, which was like a protuberance (uṇhīsa), stood out like the crest of a peacock.
Early Life
When he came of age, Prince Sikhī lived in three palaces: Sucandaka, Giri and Vāsabha. Being entertained and served by 24,000 female attendants headed by Princess Sabbakāmā, he thus enjoyed a divine-like royal household life for 7,000 years.
When Bodhisatta Prince Sikhī had seen the four omens while enjoying the royal household life and when Princess Sabbakāmā had given birth to a son, named Atula, he renounced the world riding an elephant. Seven million men also renounced the world, following his example.
Awakening
With these seven million recluses, Bodhisatta Sikhī practised the austerities for eight months. On the full-moon day, the day of his Awakening, he left these recluses. He partook of the milk rice offered by Piyadassī, daughter of a wealthy man, resident of the market town of Sudassana, and spent the daytime in the local grove of young acacias. In the evening, he proceeded alone to the Mahā Bodhi tree and accepted, on the way, eight handfuls of grass offered by an ascetic named Anomadassī. As soon as he spread the grass at the foot of the Fragrant Mango (Puṇḍarīka) Mahā Bodhi tree, there appeared the unconquered seat, measuring 32 cubits.
The size of that Fragrant Mango Bodhi tree was the same as that of the Trumpet Flower Bodhi tree
Three Occasions of the Buddha’s Teaching
1. After becoming a Buddha, Buddha Sikhī stayed in the neighbourhood of the Fragrant Mango Mahā Bodhi tree for 49 days. Having complied with a Brahma’s request for his teaching, he contemplated who he should teach first, and he saw the seven million fellow monastics who were endowed with the merits of their past deeds, which could lead to the paths and fruitions. By his psychic power he then immediately appeared in Migājina Park, their residence near the city of Aruṇavatī. Sitting gracefully in the midst of these seven million recluses, Buddha Sikhī taught the Dhamma Wheel (Dhamma-cakka) discourse, which was also taught by previous Buddhas, to Devas and humans who had come to listen. Then 1,000 billion Devas and humans attained the paths and fruitions.
2. At a later time, also near the city of Aruṇavatī, the Buddha taught Dhamma to his future chief disciples, Prince Abhibhū and Prince Sambhava and their retinues, and administered the elixir of immortality to 900 billion Devas and humans. [The translation stated 90,000, but BvA states 90,000 crore, i.e., 900 billion.]
3. Still at another time, near a Campak tree, close to the gate of Sūriyavatī city, the Buddha displayed the twin miracle and gave a discourse in order to suppress the arrogance of the heretics and to free beings from the bondage to the defilements. At that time, 800 billion Devas and humans attained the paths and fruitions.
Three Occasions of the Disciples’ Meeting
1. There were three meetings of Buddha Sikhī’s Arahat disciples. At the first meeting, in the midst of 100,000 Arahats, who were princes Abhibhū’s and Sambhava’s companions during their renunciation, Buddha Sikhī recited the Advisory Rules (Ovāda-Pātimokkha).
2. At a later time, in the midst of 80,000 monks who had put on the robes at the meeting of his relatives at Aruṇavatī city, Buddha Sikhī recited the Advisory Rules.
3. Still at another time, in the midst of 70,000 monks, who had become monastics after he had tamed the elephant Dhanapālaka of Dhanañjaya city, Buddha Sikhī recited the Advisory Rules.
The Bodhisatta as King Arindama
Meanwhile, our Bodhisatta was King Arindama, in the city of Paribhutta. When Buddha Sikhī 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 a 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 Saṅgha, headed by the Buddha, several tens (koti) of garments, which was worth a great deal of money.
In common parlance, a koṭi
Moreover, he offered the Buddha his state elephant which was possessed of strength, beauty, auspicious marks and speed and which was adorned with golden nets and flowers. Having assessed the value of the elephant together with his adornments, he also offered the Saṅgha, headed by the Buddha, objects that were permissible to monks. The cost of these objects was equal to the assessed total value of the elephant.
Then, with reference to the Bodhisatta Arindama, Buddha Sikhī declared prophetically: “In the thirtieth aeon from the present one, this King Arindama will indeed become a Buddha, Gotama by name.”
Particulars of Buddha Sikhī
Buddha Sikhī’s birthplace was Aruṇavatī city.
His father was King Aruṇa and his mother was Queen Pabhāvatī.
He reigned for 7,000 years.
His three palaces were Sucandaka, Giri and Vāsabha.
His chief consort was Sabbakāmā, who had 24,000 maids of honour.
His son was Prince Atula.
He renounced the world riding an elephant after seeing the four omens.
He practised the austerities for eight months.
His two male chief disciples were Ven. Abhibhū and Ven. Sambhava.
His attendant was Ven. Khemaṅkara.
His two female chief disciples were Ven. Sakhilā and Ven. Padumā.
His Bodhi tree was a Fragrant Mango tree (Puṇḍarīka).
His noble male supporters were the wealthy men, Sirivaḍḍha and Nanda.
His noble female supporters were Cittā and Suguttā.
Buddha Sikhī was 70 cubits tall. He was like a golden column, created as an object of worship. He was beautiful with the 32 marks of a Great Man.
Buddha Sikhī’s normal physical radiance shone everywhere, day and night, uninterruptedly as far as 30 leagues, which could illuminate several world-elements, if he so desired.
The lifespan during Buddha Sikhī’s time was 7,000 years. Living for four-fifths of this lifespan, he conveyed beings, such as humans, Devas and Brahmas, from the flood-waters of Saṁsāra and placed them on the shore of Nibbāna.
Causing the rain of Dhamma, Buddha Sikhī had all beings drenched with the pure water of Dhamma, let them reach Nibbāna, which is the end of repeated suffering, and together with his Arahat disciples attained Parinibbāna.
The Buddha’s physical frame, which possessed the 80 minor signs, such as red fingers and toe nails and adorned with the 32 marks of a Great Man, has completely vanished. Unsubstantial and futile are all conditioned things!
Buddha Sikhī attained Parinibbāna in the Park named Assa, near Sīlavatī city. The Buddha’s relics remained in a mass without dispersing. The people of Jambudīpa constructed for their honour a memorial shrine of the seven kinds of jewels three leagues high.