Buddhist Fables

Buddhist Classics

Life and Legends of Buddha

The Illustrated Jataka & Other Stories of the Buddha by C. B. Varma Introduction | Glossary | Bibliography

098 – Sikhi Buddha

Sikhi Buddha is the twentieth Buddha as known in the Pali tradition. The name of his father was Arunava and the mother was Pabhavati. The place, where he was born is called Arunavati. The name of his wife was Sabbakama. He had a son named Atula.

He lived in the palaces of Suchanda, Giri and Vehana for seven thousand years until he renounced the house-hold life riding on an elephant. He practised austerities for eight months. Just before the Enlightenment he accepted the milk-rice from Daughter-of-Piyadassi-Setthi; and sat on the seat prepared by Anomadassi. The tree of his Enlightenment was Pundarika (lotus). He delivered his first sermon in the Migachira Park and demonstrated his twin-miracle at a place near Suriyavati under a Champaka tree. Abhibhu and Sambhava were his chief monk disciples; and Akhila (or Makhila) and Paduma were his principal female disciples. His chief attendant was Khemankara. Sirivaddha and Chanda (or Nanda) were his chief male patrons; and Chitta and Sugutta were the chief among the women.

He lived for seventy thousand years and died in Dussarama (Assarama) in Silavati.

He was called Sikhi because his turban (unhisa) looked like a sikha (flame).

During his Age the Bodhisatta was born as king Arindama and ruled the kingdom of Paribhutta.

bjtk098a

Sikhi Buddha on the panel Cave 17, Ajanta