Agama And Tripitaka Comparative Study

SR No.: 022804
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nagaraj Muni
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Printers and Publishers
Publication Year: 1986
Total Pages: 804
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

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184
the progeny of the Buddha)moved round Sumedha (thrice). People said,
"Holy sir! You will surely become a Buddha., Exert yourself with all your might, move on forward, retrace not backward".
When Sumedha heard these words, thought he,
'The Buddha's words cannot be wrong'.
Now he concentrated all his efforts for the attainment of Buddhahood. He looked for the path that would entitle him to this great status, and he exhibited great enthusiasm in his search for this. He practised 10 paramitās (list given at the end of the Chapter) which had formerly been practised by the Bodhi-sattvas. Sumedha received the Buddhist disciplines from the living Buddha and bowed before him. From now on, Sumedha started his penances and passed through 550 lives. Thereafter, he was born in what is called Tusit-loka (which is stated to be the abode of the Bodhi-sattvas). In this world (of the would-be Buddhas), a thousand years prior to the Great Enlightenment, there aros e a din that Sumedha's success was now a certainty. Having descended from the Tusit-loka, he entered as an embryo into the womb of Queen Maya devi, and on the arrival of the right moment, he was born as the next Buddha(3).
There are many items of researchers' interest in the two accounts given above, such as the glidings of the two, their life-span, etc., etc. Twenty nimittas have been considered a must for the attainment of Tirthankarahood, as 10 paramitas are a must for the attainment of Buddhahood. It is interesting that both the lists have many similar items. The lists are as follows:
20 nimittas (4)
Devotedness to the Arihantas (
Worthy Ones ). Devotedness to the Siddhas (Perfected Souls). Devotedness to the Teachings (prayacana). Obedience to the Preceptor, Obedience to Senior Monks (sthaviras). Obedience to Canonists (scholars).
Woo -