ACCHARIYA-ABBHUTA SUTTA
Discourse on the Marvellous and the Extraordinary
Sunnata Vagga, Uparipannasa
Majjhima Nikaya, Suttanta Pitaka

SOURCE: "TWENTY-FIVE SUTTAS FROM UPARIPANNASA"
Translated by Myanmar Tipitaka Association, 1990

         197. Thus have I heard:

         Once the Bhagava was staying at the Jetavana monastery of Anathapindika in Savatthi. On that occasion, the following conversation arose among many bhikkhus who had had their alms-food, had left the place (of the meal) and gathered in the assembly hall:

         "Friends! How marvellous! And, indeed, how extraordinary, friends, is the power and greatness of the Tathagata! Regarding even the Buddhas of the past who had realized Nibbana, who had cut off the factors that prolong samsara1, who had cut off the round of existences, who had put an end to the round of existences, who had overcome all dukkha, the Tathagata could reflect and know thus: 'Those Bhagavas belonged to such and such castes; those Bhagavas were known by such and such names: those Bhagavas were born into such and such clans; those Bhagavas were endowed with such and such morality; those Bhagavas were endowed with such and such concentration;2 those Bhagavas were endowed with such and such wisdom (panna); those Bhagavas used to dwell in such a way (remaining in the sustained attainment of cessation of consciousness); those Bhagavas were endowed with such and such kinds of emancipation (vimutti)"3. When this was said, the Venerable Ananda said to those bhikkhus thus: "Friends, the Tathagatas are marvellous and they are endowed with marvellous phenomena. Friends the Tathagatas are extraordinary and they are endowed with extraordinary phenomena." This was the unfinished conversation of those bhikkhus.


          198. Then, in the evening the Bhagava rose from his solitary retreat, approached the assembly-hall and took the seat prepared for him. After taking the seat, the Bhagava asked the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, what are you talking about now as you are assembled here? What is the subject of your unfinished conversation?" "Venerable Sir, the conversation which we were having in the assembly-hall where we have gathered after having had our alms-food and left the place (of the meal) is this:

          'Friends! How marvellous! And, indeed, how extraordinary, friends, is the power and greatness of the Tathagata! Regarding even the Buddhas of the past who had realized Nibbana, who had cut off the factors that prolong samsara, who had cut off the round of existences, who had put an end to the round of existences, who had overcome all dukkha, the Tathagata could reflect and know thus: 'Those Bhagavas belonged to such and such castes; were known by such and such names; were born into such and such clans; were endowed with such and such morality; were endowed with such and such concentration; were endowed with such and such wisdom; used to dwell in such a way (remaining in the sustained attainment of cessation of consciousness); were endowed with such and such kinds of emancipation.' Venerable Sir, when this was said, the Venerable Ananda said to us thus: 'Friends, the Tathagatas are marvellous and they are endowed with marvellous phenomena. Friends, the Tathagatas are extraordinary and they are endowed with extraordinary phenomena.' This, Venerable Sir, was our unfinished conversation before the bhagava came in."



          199. Thereupon, the Bhagava said to the Venerable Ananda: "If that be so, Ananda, let the marvellous and extraordinary phenomena of the Tathagata be made evident to the fullest extent,"

          "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, the Bodhisatta was born in the Tusita deva realm, mindful and fully aware.' In fact, Venerable Sir, the Bodhisatta was born in the Tusita deva realm, mindful and fully aware. Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava.(1)

          "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, the Bodhisatta lived in the Tusita deva realm, mindful and fully aware.' In fact, Venerable Sir, the Bodhisatta lived in the Tusita deva realm, mindful and fully aware. Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava." (2)

          200. "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, the Bodhisatta lived his full life-span in the Tusita deva realm'. In fact, Venerable Sir, the Bodhisatta lived his full life-span in the Tusita deva realm. Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava.(3)

          "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, the Bodhisatta passed away in the Tusita deva realm and was conceived in his mother's womb, mindful and fully aware.' In fact, Venerable Sir, the Bodhisatta passed away in the Tusita deva realm and was conceived in his mother's womb, mindful and fully aware. Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a 'marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava."(4)

          201. "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'When the Bodhisatta was conceived in his mother's womb after passing away in the Tusita deva realm, there appeared an illimitable radiant light surpassing the radiance of the devas, in this world of devas, maras and brahmas, and in the human world comprising samanas, brahmanas, rulers and men. This illimitable radiant light, which appeared in the world, and which surpassed the radiance of the devas also appeared in the lokantara nether regions which are great voids between worlds, abysses of space, pitch dark and totally lacking in visibility where even the powerful and majestic sun and moon cannot spread their light. And the beings in those lokantara nether regions saw one another by this light and came to know (thus): "O Friends! 'There are also other beings existing here!" Also the ten thousand universes trembled, quaked and shook violently as this illimitable radiant light, surpassing the radiance of the devas, appeared in the world.' in fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava."(5)

          202. "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, when the Bodhisatta was conceived in his mother's womb, four devas4 came to guard the four quarters, in order that no one, whether human or non-human, shall harm the Bodhisatta or his mother.,' In fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava."(6)

          203. "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, when the Bodhisatta was conceived in his mother's womb, the Bodhisatta's mother observed moral precepts on her own. She abstained from taking of life, abstained from taking what was not given, abstained from sexual misconduct, abstained from false speech, and abstained from taking intoxicants.' In fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava. (7)

         "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, when the Bodhisatta was conceived in his mother's womb there did not arise in the Bodhisatta's mother any thought associated with sensual desire for any man. Also, no man could approach the Bodhisatta's mother with sensual desire.' In fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava.(8)

          "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, when the Bodhisatta was conceived in his mother's womb, the Bodhisatta's mother received the five kinds of sense-pleasure5 in abundance. Fully endowed with these five kinds of sense-pleasure, she lived in pleasant satisfaction.' in fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava." (9)

          204. "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, when the Bodhisatta was conceived in his mother's womb, no ailment arose in the Bodhisatta's mother. The Bodhisatta's mother was not subject to bodily fatigue and she was at ease. The Bodhisatta's mother could see the Bodhisatta in her womb, complete with all the limbs, great and small, and perfect in all the sense-organs. Ananda, take the example of a Veluriya gem, brilliant, genuine, eight-faceted, well-cut, which is threaded with a dark-blue, or yellow, or red, or white, or light-yellow string. A man with normal vision placing it on his palm, might reflect thus: "This gem is brilliant, genuine, eight-faceted and well-cut. It is threaded with a dark-blue, or yellow, or red, or white, or light-yellow string." Ananda, in the same way, when the Bodhisatta was conceived in his mother's womb, no ailment arose in the Bodhisatta's mother. The Bodhisatta's mother was not subject to bodily fatigue and she was at ease. The Bodhisatta's mother could see the Bodhisatta in her womb, complete with all the limbs, great and small, and perfect in all the sense-organs.' In fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava." (10)

          205. "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself:'Ananda, seven days after the Bodhisatta was born, the Bodhisatta's mother died and was reborn in the Tusita deva realm.' In fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava. (11)

         "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, other women might give birth after carrying the foetus for nine or ten months. The Bodhisatta's mother did not give birth to the Bodhisatta in this way. She gave birth to the Bodhisatta only after carrying a full ten months.' In fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava. (12)

          "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, the Bodhisatta's mother did nor give birth to the Bodhisatta while sitting or lying as in the case of other women. She gave birth to the Bodhisatta while standing.' In fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava. (13)

          "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'When the Bodhisatta was delivered from his mother's womb, the devas6 received him first. Human beings received him later.' In fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava" (14)

          206. "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, when the Bodhisatta was delivered from his mother's womb, he did not touch the ground. Four devas7 received him and put him before the mother, saying: O Queen, rejoice! A mighty and majestic son has been born to you!' In fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava. (15)

          "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, when the Bodhisatta was delivered from his mother's womb, he came forth perfectly clean. He was delivered without being smeared with any watery matter, nor with mucus, nor with blood, nor with any impurities. He was perfectly clean. Ananda, take the example of a precious gem placed on cloth made in Kasi. The gem is not soiled by the Kasi cloth, nor is the Kasi cloth soiled by the gem. Why is it so? It is because both are clean. Ananda, in the same way, when the Bodhisatta was delivered from his mother's womb, he came forth perfectly clean. He was delivered without being smeared with any watery matter, nor with mucus, nor with blood, nor with any impurities. He was perfectly clean.' In fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava. (16)

          "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, when the Bodhisatta was delivered from the mother's womb, two streams of water appeared in the sky. One was cold and the other was warm. Both the Bodhisatta and his mother were washed with these streams of water.' in fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinay phenomenon concerning the Bhagava." (17)

          207. "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, soon after his birth, the Bodhisatta stood with even feet on the ground, faced northwards and walked seven steps. With a white umbrella over him, he looked in all directions and boldly proclaimed thus: "I am the loftiest in the world! I am the greatest in the world! I am the noblest in the world! This is the last existence for me! There is no more rebirth for me." In fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava.(18)

          "Venerable Sir, I have heard and received this from the Bhagava himself: 'Ananda, when the Bodhisatta was delivered from the mother's womb, there appeared an illimitable radiant light surpassing the radiance of the devas, in this world of devas, maras and brahmas and in the human world comprising samanas, brahmanas, rulers and men. This illimitable radiant light, which appeared in the world and which surpassed the radiance of the devas, also appeared in the lokantara nether regions which are great voids between worlds, abysses of space, pitch dark and totally lacking in visibility. where even the powerful and majestic sun and moon cannot spread their light. And the beings in those lokantara nether regions saw one another by this light and came to know (thus): "O Friends! There are also other beings existing here!" Also the ten thousand universes trembled, quaked and shook violently as this illimitable radiant light, surpassing the radiance of the devas, appeared in the world.' In fact, Venerable Sir, ...p... Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava." (19)

          208. Ananda, that being so, also bear in mind what I am going to say as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Tathagata. In this Teaching, Ananda, the Tathagata clearly knows the arising, the (momentary) manifestation, and the cessation of sensations. The Tathagata clearly knows the arising ..p... of perceptions. The Tathagata clearly knows the arising, the (momentary) manifestations and the cessation of initial thoughts (vitakkas).88 Ananda, also bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning Tathagata.

          "In fact, Venerable Sir, the Bhagava clearly knows the arising, the (momentary) manifestation, and the cessation of sensations. The Bhagava clearly knows the arising of perceptions. The Bhagava clearly knows the arising, the (momentary) manifestation, and the cessation of initial thoughts. Venerable Sir, I bear this in mind as a marvellous and extraordinary phenomenon concerning the Bhagava." (20)

         The Venerable Ananda spoke these words. The Teacher was pleased. Delighted, those bhikkhus also rejoiced in what the Venerable Ananda had said.

End of the Acchariya - abbhuta Sutta,

the third in this vagga.


         1. Factors that prolong samsara: papanca: According to the Commentary, they are tanha (craving), mana (conceit) and ditthi (wrong view).

         2. Concentration: In the Text the word used is dhamma. But the Commentary explains it as both mundane and supramundane concentration.

         3. There are five kinds of vimutti (emancipation):

         (i) Vikkhambhana vimutti: freedom from the defilements for a long time due to the attainment of jhana samapatti (sustained mental absorption);

         (ii) Tadanga vimutti: momentary freedom from the view and belief that conditioned phenomena are permanent, pleasant, etc., this freedom is achieved while contemplating their impermanent, insecure and soulless nature;

         (iii) Samuccheda vimutti: freedom brought about by the uprooting of defilements on attainment of the four maggas.

         (iv) Patipassaddhi vimutti: freedom from defilements brought about by the four Fruitions following the attainment of maggas.

         (v) Nissarana vimutti: freedom from defilements brought about by the realization of Nibbana.

         4. four devas: The four chief devas of the lowest of the six deva realms (Catumaharajika devas). (The Commentary)

         5. the five kinds of sense-pleasure: This refers to the pleasure derived from the many valuable presents and gifts received from neighbouring rulers while Queen Maya was pregnant with the Bodhisatta.

         6. According to the Commentary, the devas here are those brahmas of the Suddhavasa Brahma realm who are arahats ( khinasava suddhavasa brahmas ).

         7. four devas: The four Catumaharajika devas. (The Commentary)

         8. What is meant here is that the Buddha is always mindful of the arising, the momentary manifestation and the cessation of all conditioned phenomena together with their characteristics, namely, impermanence (anicca), unsatisfactoriness (dukkha) and soullessness (anatta).