28.

The Chapter on Suvaṇṇabibbohana

1-10.

Commentary on the Life History of the Elder Suvaṇṇabibbohaniya and Others

In the twenty-eighth chapter, the first life history is clear in itself.

5. In the second life history, "with a mind-made body" means with a body proceeding by the power of the mind. This is the meaning.

10. In the third life history, "in dependence on the great ocean" means in the caves of a mountain situated near the great sea - this is the meaning. The Blessed One Siddhattha, through his desire for seclusion, lives, dwells - this is the meaning. "Having gone out to meet and done" means I, having gone out to meet that Blessed One, having gone near, performed the merit of salutation and so on - this is the meaning. "I gave a basket" means to the Blessed One Siddhattha, I gave a kadamba basket filled with flowers, I venerated him - this is the meaning.

14. In the fourth life history, "akakkasacittassa atha" means "of one whose mind is not harsh"; the word "atha" is an expletive particle.

19. In the fifth life history, "dwelling at the udumbara tree" means dwelling at the foot of the udumbara tree, in the shade of the tree, of the Blessed One Tissa. "On a fixed mattress of leaves" means of one sitting on a fixed, bound mattress of leaves, a seat of broken branches. "A place to stay was given by me" means in a secluded place, a place enclosed by pavilion doors and so on was given, provided by me. This is the meaning.

24. In the sixth life history, "a gift of cloth was given by me" means: a cloth made by beating the bark of the pottha tree, the outer skin of the pottha, having rubbed the unevenness with a cow's rib, having taken the fashioned thread, having spun it, having had a cloth woven with that thread for the purpose of sitting or for the purpose of a floor covering - that cloth was given by me to the Triple Gem. This is the meaning.

27. In the seventh life history, "on the bank of the Candabhāgā river" means from the bank of the river named Candabhāgā; this is a locative expression used in the sense of separation. "Downstream" means following the stream, I proceed downstream, I go, I - this is the meaning. "Seven māluvā flowers, I placed on the funeral pyre, I" means I, having taken seven petals of māluvā flowers, on the funeral pyre, on a heap of sand, having made a monument with sand, venerated - this is the meaning.

31-32. In the eighth life history, "great river, beautiful to see" means there was a water-river named the great Sindhu, well captivating because of being beautified by beautiful appearance, beautiful water, and white sandy banks. There, in that Sindhu water-river, "with luminosity" means together with radiance, "beautiful to behold" means of beautiful form, engaged in supreme peace, engaged in the highest peace, endowed with, without lust - I saw. This is the meaning. "Having seen, I with astonished disposition" means "How has he reached such a frightful Himalaya?" - with astonished intention, with a mind of wonder and marvel. This is the meaning. "I gave him a yam" means to that Worthy One, I, with a gladdened mind, gave a yam tuber; gave with regard. This is the meaning.

The ninth and tenth life histories are clear in themselves.

The commentary on the twenty-eighth chapter is complete.