Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Fully Self-Enlightened One

In the Collection of Minor Texts

Commentary on the Past Life Histories of the Elder Monks-2

(Second Part)

43-48.

The Chapter on Sakiṃsammajjaka and Others

1-60.

Commentary on the Life History of the Elder Sakiṃsammajjaka and Others

In the forty-third chapter, all the elder monks' life histories are of manifest meaning only. Only the diversity of the elder monks' names and the diversity of merit is the distinction.

In the forty-fourth chapter too, all the life histories are well-known only. Only the diversity of merit and the diversity of fruition is the distinction.

1. In the forty-fifth chapter, in the first life history, the life history of the Venerable Elder Vibhīṭakamiñjiya, beginning with "Kakusandha, the great hero."

2. Therein, "gave seed kernels with honey" means having split open the fruits of the Beleric Myrobalan, having taken the seeds and kernels, having mixed them with honey and sugar, he gave them to the Blessed One Kakusandha - this is the meaning. The second life history and so on are all easily understood precisely, and the diversity of the elders' names and so on too should be understood in accordance with the text.

1. In the forty-sixth chapter, in the first life history, "I had a terrace built" means I had a veranda built all around the excellent Bodhi tree - this is the meaning. The remaining, from the second life history onwards, are all of manifest meaning only.

In the forty-seventh chapter, from the first life history onwards, they are easily understood precisely in accordance with the Pāḷi text.

In the forty-eighth chapter, the first and second life histories are of manifest meaning only.

30. In the third life history, "the Blessed One named Kosiya" means because of being born in the Kosiya clan, the Individually Enlightened One is named Kosiya - this is the meaning. "At Cittakūṭa" means among the mountain peaks standing concealing Lake Anotatta, such as Cittakūṭa, Kelāsakūṭa, Sānukūṭa and so on, that Individually Enlightened One dwelt on Cittakūṭa mountain, which was decorated with various jewels, medicinal herbs and so on - this is the meaning.

The fourth and fifth life histories are of manifest meaning only.

56. In the sixth life history, "I gave eight portions of kusa-grass food" means among fortnightly meals, observance-day meals, regular meals, ticket meals and so on, I gave eight ticket meals to be given by means of kusa-grass lots - this is the meaning.

61. In the seventh life history, "the Fully Self-Enlightened One named Sobhita" means because of having a body that was shining with height, girth, the thirty-two marks of a great man, the fathom-wide halo, and so on, he is the Fully Self-Enlightened One named Sobhita - this is the meaning.

66. In the eighth life history, "at Takkara he dwelt then" means: Takkarā is the royal city where people who perform those ten ways of making merit dwell. The meaning is: at that Takkara, he dwelt then.

72. In the ninth life history, "having taken a well-made beverage vessel" means having taken a pair of sandals produced in a beautiful manner - this is the meaning. The tenth life history is easily understood in itself.

The commentary on the forty-eighth chapter is finished.