34. Kṣemadatta

Overall Teaching

This chapter teaches that the true offering is realising the emptiness of all dharmas, revealed by Kṣemadatta Bhikṣu’s self-sacrificial act, which inspired reverence and bodhicitta in countless beings. The Buddha reveals his past life as Kṣemadatta, linking these events to the bodhisattva path of selflessness and awakening.

Summary

• Introduction: The Buddha addresses the youth Candraprabha and relates to him the time of the past Buddha, Ghoṣadatta. Ghoṣadatta Buddha led countless beings to awakening before entering final nirvāṇa.

  • The Devotion of King Śrīghoṣa: After the passing of Ghoṣadatta Buddha, King Śrīghoṣa constructed 84,000 million stūpas in honour of Ghoṣadatta. He then offered lamps, flowers, music, incense, banners, and other materials to the stūpas. Eighty million great bodhisattvas gathered, skilled in Dharma teachings, to perform a Dharma assembly.

  • Kṣemadatta Bhikṣu: In the assembly was Kṣemadatta Bhikṣu, who was young, pure, and disciplined, having received full ordination. He was inspired by the assembly and King Śrīghoṣa’s offerings.

  • Kṣemadatta’s Extraordinary Offering: Out of desire for the samādhi of equality and non-discursiveness, he wrapped his arm, anointed it with oil, and set it alight as an offering. With this supernatural offering, the earth trembled and the light of his burning arm surpassed all other lights.

  • King Śrīghoṣa’s Reverence: Filled with awe and reverence, King Śrīghoṣa leaps from the pavilion with his consorts and followers, but inspired by the power of their devotion, the devas, nāgas, and other supernormal beings prevented their injury, setting them down gentle on the ground

  • The king’s Lamentation: In verse, the king expresses commiseration at witnessing Kṣemadatta’s sacrifice.

    • Kṣemadatta explained the deeper meaning of offerings and the nature of dharmas: that all dharmas and the path to awakening are equal.

  • Miraculous Restoration: Kṣemadatta’s arm returns to its original state, after he performs a "truth act" whereby he states that if his statement that all dharmas lack inherent existence (including himself, "Kṣemadatta") is true, may his arm return to its original state. Inspired by this, the devas scatter flowers and sing praises.

• Transformation and Prophecies: After the tale of the past is finished, inspired by these statements and deeds, countless beings generated bodhicitta and the Buddha prophesised the awakening of those present.

• Offerings from Devas and Nāgas: In praise of the teaching, the devas and nāgas offered fragrant powders, jewels, and flowers and the entire area was transformed into a place of splendour.

• Identity of Past Lives: Śākyamuni reveals himself as Kṣemadatta and Maitreya as Śrīghoṣa, showing that they had lifetimes of shared practice for the benefit of sentient beings.

Commentary

Thrangu Rinpoche's commentary highlights the importance of making offerings to buddhas and stupas, both for accumulating merit and fostering the realisation of samādhi. The story of the past Buddha and the king illustrates how devotion, faith, and diligence through offerings lead to spiritual progress. While literal self-sacrifice is not required, symbolic acts, such as offerings and circumambulations, create virtuous roots that sustain Buddhism across generations and nurture devotion, enabling the realisation of samādhi and the path to enlightenment.

As a word of my own commentary, while acts of burning and self-immolation are found in Buddhist texts and practices throughout history, it should be emphasised that these serve as illustrative of doctrinal points and are only done in the context of manifested bodhisattvas who can be restored through their supernormal powers. In the case of this sūtra, Kṣemadatta Bhikṣu's self-burning serves as a profound illustration of emptiness. This act embodies the realisation that the physical body is not a permanent, independent entity but is empty of intrinsic nature.

The Tibetan commentary by Mañjuśrīkīrti suggestes that this chapter makes the following points:

• A bodhisattva's mind remains undisturbed even amidst pain, showcasing diligence, great wisdom, and the unchanging resolve to benefit others. Virtue is framed as the true "limb" of completeness, while physical imperfections are secondary.

• Offerings made with the understanding of emptiness carry boundless merit, resulting in countless future benefits for sentient beings and the attainment of the body of Dharma. Emptiness underpins the act of giving, with the truth of such actions manifesting through miraculous signs and universal blessings.

• The narrative emphasises the bodhisattva’s aspiration for the liberation of all sentient beings, demonstrating profound compassion and the power of truth. Acts of devotion inspire joy and aspiration for awakening in others, revealing the transformative nature of altruistic actions.

Discussion

• In what ways can these teachings be applied symbolically or practically in contemporary Buddhist practice?