Sunita

rdf:langString Sunita

rdf:langString Sunīta was a highly accomplished disciple of the Buddha. He was born in a family of untouchables whose job was of sweeping around the temple area. According to Thanissaro Bhikkhu's translation of the Theragāthā account, Sunīta laments: "People found me disgusting,despised me, disparaged me.Lowering my heart,I showed reverence to many." Sunīta continues, describing his meeting with the Buddha and ordination: The compassionate Teacher,sympathetic to all the world, said:"Come monk."That was my formal Acceptance. Sunīta practiced arduously and eventually became an Arhant. His status was acknowledged by the gods Brahmā and Śakra: Then, as night was ending& the sun returning,Indra & Brahmā came to pay homage to me,hands palm-to-palm at their hearts:"Homage to you,O thoroughbred of men,Homage to you,O man supreme,whose effluents are ended.You, dear sir,are worthy of offerings."