Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c36.4306

v2.c36.4306

1. Sumana.—The fourth of the twenty-four Buddhas. He was born in Mekhala, his father being the khattiya Sudatta and his mother Sirimā. For nine thousand years he lived as a householder in three palaces—Canda, Sucanda and Vataṃsa¹—his wife being Vataṃsikā and his son Anupama. He left the world on an elephant, practised austerities for ten months, and attained enlightenment under a nāga-tree, being given a meal of milk-rice by Anupama, daughter of Anupama-seṭṭhi of Anoma, and grass for his seat by the Ājīvaka Anupama. His first sermon was preached in the Mekhala Park, and among his first disciples were his step-brother Saraṇa and the purohita’s son Bhāvitatta. His Twin-miracle was performed in Sunandavatī. The Bodhisatta was a Nāga-king Atula. One of the Buddha’s chief assemblies was on the occasion of his solving the questions of King Arindama on Nirodha.