27.

The Chapter on Padumukkhipa

1-10.

Commentary on the Life History of the Elder Ākāsukkhipiya and Others

1-2. In the twenty-seventh chapter, in the first life history, "having taken two water-born flowers" means having taken two flowers such as waterlilies and so on, born in water, in water, the finest, having gone near the Buddha, I placed one flower at his feet, I venerated him, I threw one flower into space - this is the meaning.

The second life history is obvious.

10. In the third life history, "at the excellent Bodhi tree" means at the highest Bodhi tree. "A half-moon offering was given by me" means at that foot of the Bodhi tree, many flowers were offered by me in the shape of a half-moon. This is the meaning. "Dharaṇīruhapādape" means: that which bears trees, mountains, jewels, and so on is "dharaṇī," the earth; that which grows upon the earth, becomes established upon it, is "dharaṇīruha" (growing on the earth); that which drinks water through the root, which is termed the foot, and spreads it through the trunk, branches, and so on, is "pādapa" (a tree); it is both growing on the earth and a tree, thus "dharaṇīruhapādapa" (a tree growing on the earth); the meaning is: at that tree growing on the earth, flowers were offered by me.

The fourth life history is of clear meaning.

18-19. In the fifth life history, "not far from the Himalayas" means near the Himalayas. "A mountain named Romasa" means due to the absence of trees, creepers, and bushes, being covered only with grass and reeds and so on, there was a mountain named Romasa. "At the foot of that mountain" means at the border of that mountain. "An ascetic with developed faculties" means an ascetic who has calmed evil, whose mental defilements are allayed, with developed faculties; the meaning is one whose faculties such as the eye-faculty and so on are guarded. Or, "with developed faculties" means one whose faculties such as the faith faculty and so on have been developed - this is the meaning. The meaning is that I, having taken biḷālī tubers, gave them to that ascetic.

The sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth life histories are of manifest meaning.

The commentary on the twenty-seventh chapter is complete.