Called Sumanā-rājakumārī. She was the daughter of the king of Kosala and sister of Pasenadi. She is included among the eminent female lay supporters (upāsikā) (A.iv.347). She once visited the Buddha, with five hundred royal maidens in five hundred royal chariots, and questioned him regarding the efficacy of giving (See Sumanā Sutta, A.iii.32 f).

The Commentary explains (AA.ii.593 f) that these five hundred companions were born on the same day as herself. She was seven years old when the Buddha paid his first visit to Sāvatthi, and she was present at the dedication of Jetavana with her five hundred companions, carrying vases, flowers, etc., as offering to the Buddha. After the Buddha’s discourse she became a Stream-winner.

It is said that, in the time of Vipassī Buddha, she belonged to a millionaire’s family, her father being dead. When the people, almost at the point of the sword, obtained the king’s permission to entertain the Buddha and his monks, it was the general’s (senāpati) privilege to invite the Buddha to his house on the first day. When Sumanā came back from playing, she found her mother in tears, and when asked the reason, her mother replied, “If your father had been alive, ours would have been the privilege of entertaining the Buddha today.” Sumanā comforted her by saying that that honour should yet be theirs. She filled a golden bowl with richly flavoured milk-rice, covering it with another bowl. She then wrapped both vessels all round with jasmine flowers and left the house with her slaves. On the way to the general’s house she was stopped by his men, but she coaxed them to let her pass, and, as the Buddha approached, saying that she wished to offer him a jasmine garland, she put the two vessels into his almsbowl. She then made the resolve that in every subsequent birth she should be named Sumanā and that her body should be like a garland of jasmine. When the Buddha arrived in the general’s house and was served first with soup, he covered his bowl saying that he had already been given his food. At the end of the meal the general made enquiries, and, full of admiration for Sumanā’s courage, invited her to his house and made her his chief consort. Ever after that she was known as Sumanā, and, wherever she was born, a shower of jasmine flowers fell knee deep on the day of her birth.

According to the Therīgāthā Commentary (ThigA.22 f), Sumanā joined the Order in her old age. She was present when the Buddha taught Pasenadi, the discourse (S.i.68-70) beginning with, “There are four young creatures, Sire, who may not be disregarded,” and Pasenadi was established in the Refuges and the Precepts. Sumanā wished to leave the world, but put off doing so that she might look after her grandmother as long as she lived.

After the grandmother’s death, Sumanā went with Pasenadi to the vihāra, taking such things as rugs and carpets, which she presented to the Order. The Buddha taught her and to Pasenadi, and she became a Non-returner. She then sought ordination, and, at the conclusion of the stanzas (Thig.vs.16) taught her by the Buddha, attained Arahantship.