Sumedha | |
|---|---|
 Sumedha and Dīpankara Buddha, second century, Gandhāra. The ascetic Sumedha appears three times: first, standing before the Buddha Dipankara throwing flowers; second, prostrate before the Buddha spreading his matted locks over mud; and third, flying in the upper left of the panel in a gesture of veneration. | |
| Personal | |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Home town | Amaravatī, India |
| Education | Vedic |
| Known for | The previous life of Gotama Buddha, when he first declared the wish to become a Buddha |
| Senior posting | |
| Teacher | Dīpankara Buddha |
In Buddhist texts, Sumedha is a previous life of Gotama Buddha (Pāli; Sanskrit: Gautama) in which he declares his intention to become a Buddha. Buddhist texts describe that this takes place when Gotama Buddha is still a Buddha-to-be (Pali: bodhisatta, Sanskrit: bodhisattva). Traditions regard Sumedha's life as the beginning of the spiritual journey leading up to the attainment of Buddhahood by Gotama in his last life, a journey which takes place through many lifetimes. Born in a brahmin family, Sumedha begins to live as an ascetic in the mountains. One day he meets Dīpankara Buddha (Sanskrit: Dīpaṃkara) and offers his own body for him to walk over. During this sacrifice, he makes a vow that he also will be a Buddha in a future lifetime, which is confirmed by Dīpankara through a prophecy.
The encounter between Sumedha and Dīpankara Buddha is the oldest Buddhist story known which deals with the path of a bodhisatta, and the story has been described as the Theravādin interpretation of this ideal. It is the most detailed story of a previous life of the Buddha, and is one of the most popular stories in Buddhist art. It is depicted in many Theravādin temples and is at least alluded to in innumerable Buddhist works. Sumedha's story has often been raised by Theravāda Buddhists as an example of selfless service.