A Pacceka Buddha. In the time of Kassapa Buddha he was a monk, but was later reborn as a Treasurer of Bārāṇasī, in which life he committed adultery and was reborn in hell. Later, he became the daughter of a treasurer and was given in marriage. However, owing to her former misdeeds, her husband did not care for her and went with another woman to the fair. One day, however, she begged her husband to take her, and he told her to make preparations. This she did, and on the day of the feast, hearing that her husband had already gone to the park, she followed him with her servants, taking the food and drink she had prepared. On the way she met a Pacceka Buddha, descended from her carriage, filled his bowl with food, placing a lotus on the top, and then offered him a handful of lotus. When her gift was accepted, she made a vow that she should be born in a lotus and be of a lotus colour, should become a man and attain the deliverance of nibbāna. Her body instantly became beautiful, and her husband, who suddenly remembered her, sent for her, and from then on loved her exceedingly. After death she was born in a lotus in the deva world and was called Mahāpaduma.

In his next birth, at the suggestion of Sakka, he was born in a lotus in the park of the king of Bārāṇasī, whose queen was childless. She saw the lotus in the pond, and conceiving a great affection for it, picked it and found the child within as if in a casket. She adopted the child and brought him up in great luxury.

One day, while playing outside the palace gates, he saw a Pacceka Buddha and warned him not to enter the palace as they pressed all who entered to eat and drink. The Pacceka Buddha turned away, and the boy was filled with remorse at the idea that the Pacceka Buddha should be offended, and went to his lodging, riding on an elephant, to ask his forgiveness. On the way he descended from the elephant and went on foot. Arrived near the dwelling of the Pacceka Buddha, he dismissed his attendants and went on alone. He found the Pacceka Buddha’s cell empty, and, sitting down, developed insight and became a Pacceka Buddha. When his attendants came for him, he declared his attainment.

His verse is included in the Khaggavisāṇa Sutta. SN.vs.39; SNA.i.76 ff.