Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c14.922

v1.c14.922

Gotama’s desire for normal food is satisfied by an offering brought by Sujātā to the Ajapāla banyan tree under which he is seated. She had made a vow to the tree, and her wish having been granted, she takes her slave-girl, Puṇṇā, and goes to the tree prepared to fulfil her promise. They take Gotama to the Tree-god, come in person to accept her offering of milk-rice; the offering is made in a golden bowl and he takes it joyfully. Five dreams¹⁷ he had the night before convince Gotama that he will that day become the Buddha. It is the full-moon day of Visākha; he bathes at Suppatittha in the Nerañjarā, eats the food and launches the bowl up stream, where it sinks to the abode of the Nāga king, Kāla (Mahākāla).