Biography (7): Suppiyā

(a) Her Past Aspiration

The future Suppiyā was reborn into a worthy family in the city of Haṃsāvati, during the time of Buddha Padumuttara. On one occasion, while listening to a sermon by the Buddha, she saw a certain female lay disciple being named as the foremost in looking after a sick bhikkhu in an exceptional way. She had a strong desire to become such a disciple in her future existence. After making a great offering, she made her wish in front of the Buddha who predicted that her wish would be fulfilled in her future existence.

(b) As Suppiyā in Her Last Existence

After faring for a hundred thousand world-cycles in the deva realm or the human realm, she was reborn into the family of a rich householder in the city of Bārāṇasī, during the time of Buddha Gotama. She was named Suppiyā. When she was of marriageable age she became the wife of a son of a householder.

It was then that the Buddha visited Bārāṇasī in the company of many bhikkhus and was staying in the monastery at Isipatana Migadāvana. Suppiyā, the householder’s wife, visited the Buddha and after listening to His discourse on her first visit, she was established in the Fruition of Stream-Entry.

Suppiyā’s Astounding Zeal in Giving

One day, after listening to the Buddha’s sermon, Suppiyā made a round of the monastic dwelling at Migadāvana to see to the needs of their residents. She came across a wan, enfeebled bhikkhu who had taken some purgative. She asked him what sort of food or medicine would do him good. He replied: “Lay female supporter, meat soup would do me good.” Suppiyā said: “So be it, Venerable Sir, I will send some meat soup to you,” and she left after making obeisance to the bhikkhu. On the next day, she sent her servant to buy some meat in the bazaar, hoping to get some meat for sales to unspecified buyers. The servant could not find such meat and reported to her.

Suppiyā thought to herself: “I have promised to the sick bhikkhu to send meat soup. If I do not make good my word, he would feel ill at ease because he is not likely to get meat soup from anywhere else. So, I must see that he gets the meat soup somehow.” She went into her bedroom and cut a piece of flesh from her thigh, which she gave to her housemaid to cook some soup using the usual ingredient (such as chilli, onion and other condiments) and said: “Take this soup to the sick bhikkhu and offer it to him. If he asks about me, tell him that I am taken ill.” The house-maid did as she was told.

The Buddha learned about the matter. On the next morning, at the time of making the daily alms-collecting, He went to Suppiyā’s house (being invited by her husband) in the company of many bhikkhus. After having seated at the special seat prepared for Him, the Buddha asked the householder: “Where is Suppiyā?” “She is unwell, Venerable Sir,” answered the householder.

“Let her come to Me, even though she is unwell.”

“She is unable to walk, Venerable Sir.”

“Then carry her.”

The householder went and carried his wife, Suppiyā, when, to her surprise, at the instant she looked at the Buddha, her big wound on her thigh suddenly disappeared and was restored to its normal flesh with body hair. Thereupon, the householder and his wife, Suppiyā, exclaimed: “Marvellous it is! Astounding it is! Friend, great is the power of the Bhagavā. At the very instant of seeing the Bhavagā, such a deep wound is restored to natural flesh!” Feeling elated, they served the Buddha and His Sangha with choicest food, specially prepared for offering.

After finishing the meal and preaching a discourse to the donor, the Buddha returned to the monastery. Then, at the congregation of bhikkhus, the Buddha asked: “Bhikkhus, who asked for meat from Suppiyā the householder’s wife?” “I did, Venerable Sir,” answered the sick bhikkhu.

“Did she send the meal (i.e. meat soup)? Did you enjoy it?”

“Yes, Venerable Sir, I did.”

“Did you ask what meat it is?”

“No, Venerable Sir, I did not.”

The Buddha reprimanded the bhikkhu showing many reasons and laid this rule of conduct for bhikkhus:

“Bhikkhus, lay supporters, who have conviction in the Triple Gem, even give up their own flesh to the Sangha. Bhikkhus, human flesh should not be consumed. Any bhikkhu who consumes human flesh is liable to a breach of the Thullasaya Rule. Bhikkhus, it is improper for a bhikkhu to consume meat without inquiring about it. He who does so without inquiring about it incurs a breach of the Dukkaṭa rule.”

(For details, refer to Vinaya Mahāvagga.)

Thus took place the event leading to Suppiyā earning the title of foremost female laydisciple.

(c) Suppiyā as The Foremost Female Lay Disciple

On one occasion, when the Buddha was residing in the Jetavana monastery naming distinguished female lay disciples, He declared:

“Bhikkhus, among My female lay disciples who look after the sick bhikkhus, Suppiyā is the foremost.”