A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s5.50

v2.c19.s5.50

This Nidāna-Kathā consists of three sections: 1. The story of the "beginnings in the remote past" (dūrenidāna), from the existence of the later Buddha as Sumedha at the time of the Buddha Dīpaṅkara down to his re-birth in the heaven of the Tusita gods; 2. The story of the "beginnings in the not very remote past" (avidūrenidāna), beginning with the descent of Buddha from the heaven of the Tusita gods, and ending with the attainment of Bodhi, *i.e.*, enlightenment; and 3. The story of the "beginnings in the present" (santikenidāna), relating the events from the enlightenment of Buddha down to the story of the magnificent donation of the merchant Anāthapiṇḍika.