11. Ven. Bhaddā Kaccānā
As the Myanmar saying goes: “Masses of water follow the tide,” so it is also with the story of Bhaddā Kaccānā, who was also known as Yasodharā, whose story is inseparably linked with that of the Buddha. The commentary therefore treats her story only in a brief manner. We do likewise in this book.
Aspiration in the Past
The future Bhaddā Kaccānā, was reborn into a worthy family in the city of Haṁsavatī, during the time of Buddha Padumuttara. When she was attending a discourse by the Buddha, she saw a nun being named by the Buddha as the foremost nun in attaining great supernormal power. She aspired to that attainment. After making an extraordinary offering to the Buddha, she made her aspiration in front of him, and received confirmation.
Ascetic Life in Her Final Existence
The future Bhaddā Kaccānā was reborn only in the Deva realm or the human realm for 100,000 aeons. During the time of Buddha Gotama, she was reborn as the daughter of the Sakyan Prince Suppabuddha, who was an uncle of the Buddha. She was named Bhaddā Kaccānā.
When she came of age, she was married to Prince Siddhattha and became his Chief Queen. She gave birth to Prince Rāhula. On the night she gave birth to Rāhula, Prince Siddhattha renounced the home life. After attaining Perfect Awakening at the foot of the Bodhi tree, the Buddha concerned himself with the spiritual welfare of the sentient world. He made a journey to Kapilavatthu where he caused the Awakening of his kith and kin.
During the Buddha’s fifth year after Awakening, his father became an Arahat while reigning as a king and passed away the same day. Then, Queen Mahā Pajāpati Gotamī and the five Sakyan princesses, whose husbands had become monastics as a result of listening to the Discourse about the Great Assembly (Mahā-samaya-sutta, DN 20), became nuns in the Buddha’s teaching. At that time, Princess Yasodharā, as a nun was referred to as Bhaddā Kaccānā. Bhaddā Kaccānā and Princess Janapadakalyāṇī or Nandā, became nuns with Mahā Pajāpati Gotamī as their preceptress. She strove to gain insight and in due time became an Arahat.
Foremost Title Achieved
Ven. Bhaddā Kaccānā, after attaining Awakening, was most proficient in the exercise of supernormal powers. At one sitting, in a single adverting of her mind (āvajjana), she could recall all her previous existences over one incalculable period and 100,000 aeons. This extraordinary feat of hers became the talk of the monastic world.
With
Etad-aggaṁ bhikkhave mama sāvikānaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ
mahābhiññappattānaṁ yad-idaṁ Bhaddākaccānā.
Monastics, among my female monastic disciples who are endowed with great supernormal powers, Bhaddā Kaccānā is the foremost (etad-agga).
Note that there are only four outstanding disciples of the Buddha who are endowed with such great supernormal powers. They have exceptional powers to recall past lives over one incalculable period and 100,000 aeons whereas other disciples can recall their past lives over 100,000 aeons only. The four such exceptional disciples were Ven. Sāriputta, Ven Mahā Moggallāna, Ven. Bākula and Ven. Bhaddā Kaccānā. The original name of the nun was Bhaddā Kaccānā but on account of her golden complexion she was also known as Bhaddā Kañcānā.