Biography (6): Princess Suppavāsa, the Koliyan

(a) Her Past Aspiration

The future Suppavāsā was reborn into a worthy family in the city of Haṃsāvatī, during the time of Buddha Padumuttara. While she was listening to a sermon by the Buddha, she saw a certain female lay disciple being named by Him as the foremost in offering superior articles. She thus had a strong desire to become such a disciple in the future. After making extraordinary offerings, she aspired to that distinction in front of the Buddha, who predicted that her aspiration would be fulfilled in her future existence.

(b) As Princess Suppavāsā, The Koliyan, in Her Last Existence

The future Suppavāsā, after being reborn in either deva realm or human realm for a hundred thousand world-cycles, was reborn as a princess of the Sakyan clan, in the city of Koliya. She was named Suppavāsā. When she was of marriageable age, she was given in marriage to a Sakyan prince. As the housewife in the household of the prince, she had the occasion to listen to a discourse by the Buddha which resulted in her attaining Stream-Entry. Later, she gave birth to a son, named Sīvali. (Details of the episode of the birth of Sīvali has been described in Chapter 43: Sīvali Mahāthera.)

(c) Princess Suppavāsā as The Foremost Female Lay Disciple

At one time, Princess Suppavāsā, the mother of the Venerable Sīvali, offered choicest food to the Buddha and His Sangha. After finishing the meal the Buddha preached a discourse in appreciation of the special offering, He said:

“My female lay disciple Suppavāsā, in making this food offering, has in effect made five kinds of offering, namely, life, good appearance, happiness, strength and intelligence. Offering of life leads to longevity, either in the deva realm or in the human realm. Offering of good appearance, happiness, strength and intelligence leads to the blessing of good appearance, happiness, strength and intelligence (respectively) either in the deva realm or in the human realm.” This was the occasion that became the ground for the Buddha’s naming of foremost female lay disciple on Suppavāsā.

On another occasion, when the Buddha was residing in the Jetavana monastery in Sāvatthi, and was naming distinguished female lay disciple, He declared:

“Bhikkhus, among My female lay disciplewho make gifts of the choicest quality, Suppavāsā, the Koliyan Princess, is the foremost.”