The Prologue of the Distant Legend
A tale of great distance through time, recounting the past lives of the Bodhisatta before his final birth as the present Buddha.

An immeasurable time ago, during the era of the Buddha named Dipankara, there lived a Brahmin named Sumedha in the city of Amaravati. He renounced worldly life and became a hermit ascetic. There was also a Brahmin maiden named Sumitta.

The two met while roads were being decorated to welcome the arrival of Buddha Dipankara.

Upon seeing Sumedha, Sumitta developed a heartfelt affection for him. Holding eight lotus flowers in her hand, she offered five of them to Sumedha for his worship of the Buddha.

When Buddha Dipankara arrived, there was a muddy patch of ground that had not yet been filled. Both Sumedha and Sumitta made offerings to the Buddha. Sumedha, using the five lotus flowers he had received, worshipped the Buddha, then lay his body across the mud, allowing Buddha Dipankara to walk across his back and avoid the mire.

At that moment, Buddha Dipankara made a prophecy : Sumedha the ascetic is a true Bodhisatta. He shall, in the distant future, attain full enlightenment and become a Buddha. In his final rebirth, he shall be born as Prince Siddhattha, who will become Gautama Buddha, the Buddha of our present era.

The Buddha also prophesied about Sumitta, saying that she would be a steadfast companion, supporting the Bodhisatta throughout his future lives. In his final life, she would be reborn as Princess Yasodhara, his noble consort.

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Prophecy Regarding Sumedha the Ascetic
(Excerpted from Khuddaka Nikāya – Buddhavaṃsa: Sumedhakathā)

The Buddha named Dipankara,
Knower of the world, worthy of offerings,
Stood above my head and proclaimed:

“Behold this matted-haired ascetic!
Of great austerities and noble resolve.
From this very aeon onward,
He shall become a Buddha in the world.”

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Prophecy Regarding Sumitta the Brahmin Maiden
(Excerpted from Khuddaka Nikāya – Apadāna: Yasodharātherī-apadāna)

O Great Sage, in a time beyond measure from now,
The Buddha Dipankara prophesied concerning my virtuous nature, saying:

“This laywoman, companion to the great sage,
Shall possess an equal heart, equal actions,
Consistently working side by side,
Beloved for her efforts in the Bodhisatta’s cause.

She shall support him, cultivate virtues for his sake,
Free from defilements as a lion breaks free from its cage,
And together, they shall attain the supreme enlightenment.”