A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t2.348

v2.c19.s3.t2.348

Gotama Buddha was at that time a rich Brahman named Sumedha, and he relates in verses (7-27) which are reminiscent of the Theragāthās, how he one day felt disgusted with the world, how he cast off the wretched body, as though it were dirt, and withdrew to a hermitage in the Himālaya. This was precisely the time when the Buddha Dīpaṅkara was carrying on his campaign of conquest throughout the world, and men and gods worshipped him. Sumedha, the hermit, comes too, and at a marshy spot loosens his plaited hair, spreads it out on the dirty ground, with his hempen garment and his cloak of skins, and lies face downwards,³ inspired with the wish that the exalted Buddha Dīpaṅkara, with his host of disciples, may step over him without having their feet soiled by the mud. Prostrate on the ground, he resolves to become a Buddha one day, and bring salvation to the world. Dīpaṅkara approaches, and prophesies the future greatness of Sumedha. The inhabitants of the ten thousand worlds make a joyful noise, and signs and miracles happen, as is always the case when a future Buddha is foretold. But Sumedha determines to realise in himself all the ten perfections (Pāramitās), in order to fulfil the preliminary conditions of Buddhahood.