8. Sūrambaṭṭha the Householder
Aspiration in the Past
The future Sūrambaṭṭha the householder was born into a worthy family in the city of Haṁsavatī, during the time of Buddha Padumuttara. While listening to a discourse by the Buddha, he saw a lay disciple being named by the Buddha as the foremost lay disciple who had firm conviction in the teaching. He aspired to that distinction, and, after making an extraordinary offering, he expressed his wish that at some future existence his aspiration would be fulfilled.
Discipleship in His Last Existence
The future Sūrambaṭṭha was reborn in the Deva or human realms for 100,000 aeons before being reborn into a rich man’s family of Sāvatthī, during the time of
Early one morning, the Buddha, in his routine review of the world for individuals who were ready for Awakening, saw the ripeness of the past merit of Sūrambaṭṭha the householder to gain Stream-entry (Sotāpatti-magga). So, he went to Sūrambaṭṭha’s house for alms food. Sūrambaṭṭha thought to himself: “Ascetic Gotama comes from a royal family and has earned a vast reputation in the world. Perhaps, it is only proper for me to welcome him.” Thinking thus, he went to the Buddha, made obeisance at his feet, took his alms bowl, and conducted him to a raised couch which was set aside for noble persons. He made offerings of food and after attending on him, sat in a suitable place.
The Buddha taught a discourse, which suited the mental framework of Sūrambaṭṭha, at the end of which, he was established in Stream-entry (Sotāpatti-phala). After bestowing Sūrambaṭṭha with Stream-entry knowledge, the Buddha returned to the monastery.
Then Māra thought: “This Sūrambaṭṭha the householder belongs to my fold and is a follower of the ascetics which are outside the Buddha’s teaching. But the Buddha has visited his house today. Why? Has Sūrambaṭṭha become a noble one (ariya) after hearing the Buddha’s discourse? Has he escaped from my domain of sensuality? I must find out.” Then, being possessed of powers of impersonating anyone, he assumed the form of the Buddha complete with the 32 marks of the great man and in perfect Buddha-style of holding the alms bowl and the robe. In that deceitful impersonation, he stood at the door of Sūrambaṭṭha the householder.
Sūrambaṭṭha wondered why the Buddha visited a second time, when he was informed by his attendants. “The Buddha never comes without some good reason,” he thought, and approached the impersonated Buddha in the belief that he was the real Buddha. After paying respects to the impersonated Buddha, he stood in a suitable place, and asked: “Venerable sir, the Fortunate One has just left this house after having a meal. For what purpose does the Fortunate One come again?”
The bogus Buddha, who was really Māra, said: “Lay supporter Sūrambaṭṭha, I made a slip in my discourse to you. I said that all of the aggregates are impermanent, suffering and insubstantial. But the five aggregates are not always of that nature. There are certain of the five aggregates that are permanent, stable and eternal.”
Sūrambaṭṭha, a Stream-enterer, was vexed by that statement. He pondered thus: “This is a statement of most serious import. The Buddha never makes a slip in his speech, for he never utters a word without proper consideration. They say that Māra is the opponent of the Buddha. Surely this must be Māra himself.” Thinking correctly thus, he asked bluntly: “You are Māra, are you not?” Māra was shocked and shaken as if struck with an axe because it was a confrontation by a noble one. His disguise fell off and he admitted it: “Yes, Sūrambaṭṭha, I am Māra.”
Sūrambaṭṭha rebuked him: “Wicked Māra, even 1,000 of your kind will not be able to shake my conviction. Buddha Gotama, in his discourse has said: “All conditioned things are impermanent.” And the Buddha’s discourse has led me to Stream-entry (Sotāpatti-magga). Get out of here!” He said it so sternly to Māra, snapping his fingers. Māra had no words to cover up his ruse, and vanished immediately.
In the evening, Sūrambaṭṭha went to the Buddha and related the visit of Māra to him and what Māra had said, and how he had dealt him. “Venerable sir,” he said to the Buddha, “in this way has Māra attempted to shake my conviction.”
Foremost Title Achieved
Referring to this incident, the Buddha, during his residence at the Jetavana monastery, on the occasion of naming outstanding lay disciples in accordance with their merits, declared:
Etad-aggaṁ bhikkhave mama sāvakānaṁ upāsakānaṁ
aveccappasannānaṁ yad-idaṁ Sūrambaṭṭho.
Monastics, among my lay disciples who have unshakeable conviction in my teaching, Sūrambaṭṭha is the foremost.