Commentary on Biography of the thera Sumana

Stanzas starting with Sumana nāma nāmena constitute the biography of the venerable thera Sumana. This one also, having done devoted service toward former Buddhas, accumulating meritorious deeds conducive towards escape from rounds of rebirth (vaṭṭa) in this and that existence, was reborn in a family house of a garland-maker at the time of the Glorious One Sikhi, grew up in due course, became full of pious faith in the Glorious One, with his mind pleasingly pious, he caught hold of handfuls of jasmine flowers and offered them reverentially. On account of that act of merit he enjoyed two kinds of prosperity among divine and human beings, was reborn in a family house when this Buddha arose, grew up in due course, developed himself with wife and children, became well-known by the name of Sumana, had pleasingly pious faith in the Master, renounced the world, and not long afterwards even, he became an arahat.

62. Having become an arahat, he recollected his own former deed, became pleasure-minded, uttered a stanza, starting with sumanonāma nāmena, in order to make manifest the deed done by himself formerly. He, to whom there is excellent mind and good heart, is Sumana (good mind) at that time I was a garland maker (or a florist) named Sumana, by the name connected with mind of abundantly pious faith and clear piety.

63. Sikhino Lokabandhuno, to Sikhi, the kinsman of the world; he shows crest and head, thus Sikhi; Crested One; in other words, eats and destroys self-connections properly connected, thus Sikhi, Crested One;just as a flame of fire shines, becomes apparent, the flame burns leaves, grass, fuel, yellow or pale wood or leaves and so on, so also this Glorious One shines with rays of such colours as blue, yellow and so on, became apparent in the residential abode of the whole world; he had all kinds of depravity (kilesa) which had reached his own bodily system, dried up, destroyed and burnt up; thus, the word-name, naming act and bearing of name; to that Sikhi; the relative kinsman of the whole world; thus, okabandhu (world kinsman));abhiropayim (I had it mounted distinctly) I reverentially offered jasmine flowers to that Glorious (One Sikhi, the kinsman of the world; thus, is the meaning.

The commentary on the biography of the thera Sumana has ended.