6. Ven. Bhaddiya

This chapter on the Jewel of the Saṅgha contains two Ven. Bhaddiyas: one being this Bhaddiya, and the other being Lakuṇḍaka Bhaddiya, about whom we will tell his story next. The former Bhaddiya was one of the six Sakyan princes who became monastics as has been told in the story of Ven. Anuruddha.

Aspiration in the Past

This Bhaddiya was a son of a wealthy family in the lifetime of the Buddha Padumuttara, 100,000 aeons ago. He went to the monastery in the same way as was told in the story of Anuruddha, to listen to the Dhamma.

That day he saw the Buddha declare a monk as the foremost (etad-agga) among those belonging to high family (uccā-kulika). He became instantly inspired, thinking: “I should also become one like him in the Dispensation of a Future Buddha.” Accordingly, he invited the Saṅgha headed by the Buddha to a great alms giving (mahā-dāna) performed for seven days. Thereafter, prostrating at the feet of the Buddha, he said: “Exalted Buddha, I do not long for a luxurious life as a result of my great gift (mahā-dāna) but I do wish to become a monk who is foremost among those of high family.”

Surveying the future, the Buddha foresaw that his wish would be fulfilled and said: “This wish of yours will be fulfilled. A 100,000 aeons from now, the Buddha Gotama will arise. Then will you become one declared foremost among the monks who come from a superior family.” Having predicted this, the Buddha gave a discourse of appreciation concerning the meal and left for the monastery.

After receiving the prediction, he acquired good works conducive to that end and had seats for teachers made and donated, he had coverings for the seats made and donated. He donated fans for teachers’ use while teaching, he gave offerings in honour of teachers, and lights outside the Hall of Discipline (Sīmā). In this way, he performed deeds of merit till the end of his life. On passing away, he was reborn either in divine or human abodes. Some time between the Buddhas Kassapa and Gotama, he was reborn as a householder’s son in the city of Bārāṇasī.

At that time, a large number of Paccekabuddhas came from Mount Gandhamādana to Bārāṇasī and, having taken their seats on the bank of the river Ganges, where water was plenty, [1231] they partook of their food. Knowing that the Paccekabuddhas always went to that site and had their meals, the householder, the future Bhaddiya, placed eight great stone slabs there as his donation and gave the Paccekabuddhas food as long as he lived.

Ascetic Life in His Final Existence

During the interval between the two Buddhas, Kassapa and Gotama, lasting innumerable aeons (Buddhantara-asaṅkhyeyya), he was reborn only in the realms of Devas and human, and in the lifetime of this Buddha, his rebirth was that of a Sakyan Prince in the city of Kapilavatthu. He was named Bhaddiya by his parents.

When he came of age, he became a leading Prince amongst the six Sakyan princes, who all ordained along with the barber Upāli. While the Buddha was sojourning in the Mango Grove near the town of Anupiya, he received ordination as a monastic and became an Arahat in the Rains Retreat (Vassa) of the same year.

After attaining, as he lived in the bliss of fruition-attainment (phala-samāpatti) and uttered with joy: “Blissful I am! Blissful I am!” Worldling monastics did not know of his attainment and misunderstood him, thinking he uttered it from recalling his previous princely luxuries. They reported it to the Buddha. The account of this may be read in the Exalted Utterances (Udāna, 2.10).

Foremost Title Achieved

At a later time, while the Buddha was staying at the Jetavana monastery, he addressed the monastics regarding Ven. Bhaddiya:

Etad-aggaṁ bhikkhave mama sāvakānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ
uccā-kulikānaṁ yad-idaṁ Bhaddiyo Kāḷi-godhāya-putto.

Monks, among my monastic disciples belonging to a high family, Bhaddiya, son of Kāḷigodhā, is the foremost.

Speaking thus in praise of him, the Buddha declared that Ven. Bhaddiya was the foremost (etad-agga) among those of high birth.

Herein, the original name of Ven. Bhaddiya’s mother was Godhā. As she was slightly dark, she was called Kāḷigodhā, the Sakyan Princess. Hence Ven. Bhaddiya’s name Kāḷigodhaputta Bhaddiya, “Bhaddiya, the son of Kāḷigodhā.”

Kāḷigodhā was the oldest of all Sakyan princesses. At the time the Bodhisatta become a Buddha, his father, King Suddhodana, was over 90. This is an estimate. He was not strong enough then to perform his duties as a leading monarch unlike when he was younger. Therefore, he must have been the nominal head of the Sakyan princes.

So Bhaddiya was elected king, the choice was made from the senior to the junior families, and it therefore fell upon him. But the Prince gave up his kingship of the Sakyans and became a monk; hence, his appointment as the foremost amongst the monks belonging to a high family.

Alternatively, Ven. Bhaddiya had been king for 500 successive existences as a result of his resolution made in the past; hence, his title as foremost amongst those belonging to a high family.