batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg-l4163-l4291
---
record_id: batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg-l4163-l4291
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
passage_locator:
label: TABLE VII. / THE BODISATS. / TABLE VIII. / THE DISTANT EPOCH.; lines 4163-4291
start: '4163'
end: '4291'
translation: Buddhist birth stories; or, Jataka tales, Volume 1
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: 'The passage closes the story of Sumedha: the people of Ramma and assembled
angels honor the Bodhisatta after his resolve before Dīpankara Buddha. Sumedha
undertakes the ten Perfections, vows future Buddhahood after a vast span of time,
rises into the air, returns to Himavanta, and enters the forest. The passage then
summarizes Dīpankara Buddha’s teaching, conversions, assemblies, and final Nirvāṇa.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The people of Ramma take garlands, perfumes, and unguents, leave the city,
offer presents to the Bodhisatta, bow and salute him, and return to the city.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The Bodhisatta takes upon himself the Perfections of a Buddha, makes firm
his resolve, bows to Dīpankara, and rises from his seat.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Angels from all the ten thousand worlds assemble, offer garlands and perfumes,
and speak praise and blessing to the hermit Sumedha.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The angels bless Sumedha’s resolve and ask that sickness, danger, and hindrance
not obstruct his attainment of supreme Buddhahood.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: The Bodhisatta declares that, after fulfilling the ten Perfections and after
four asankheyyas and a hundred thousand cycles, he will become a Buddha.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The Bodhisatta rises into the air, returns to Himavanta, and is later described
as entering the forest to begin fulfilling the Conditions.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: The blessing verses compare the Bodhisatta’s future wisdom and refuge-giving
to flowering trees in season, the full moon, the sun released by Rāhu, and rivers
flowing to the ocean.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: After returning to Ramma, the people keep open house for the priesthood with
the Buddha at their head.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Dīpankara preaches the Law, establishes people in the three Refuges and other
branches of the Faith, lives out his span, and attains Nirvāṇa in an element where
no trace of existence remains.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Dīpankara establishes different people in refuges, precepts, priesthood, Fruitions,
Knowledges, Acquisitions, Wisdoms, and supernatural Faculties.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Dīpankara converts very large numbers, awakens distant persons who are ripe
for salvation, preaches in the angel world, and has three assemblies.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: People of the city of Ramma
description: The people who hear the Buddha’s words, bring offerings to the Bodhisatta,
return to Ramma, and later support the priesthood.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Bodhisatta / hermit Sumedha
description: The ascetic who receives homage and blessing, undertakes the ten Perfections,
vows future Buddhahood, rises into the air, returns to Himavanta, and enters the
forest.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:4
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Dīpankara Buddha / Teacher
description: The Buddha before whom Sumedha makes his resolve; he later teaches
the Law, establishes followers, converts multitudes, and attains Nirvāṇa.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Angels in the ten thousand worlds
description: Celestial beings who assemble, offer garlands and perfumes, and pronounce
praise and blessing for Sumedha’s future Buddhahood.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Priesthood / clergy with the Buddha at their head
description: The religious community entertained by the people of Ramma after their
return to the city.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Spotless Arhats and assemblies
description: Large assemblies associated with Dīpankara, including spotless Arhats
who meet at Nārada Kūta.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: homage-givers and offerers
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:4
basis: The people and angels bring flowers, garlands, perfumes, unguents, or other
offerings and honor the Bodhisatta.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:2
label: vow-making Bodhisatta
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Sumedha undertakes the Perfections, makes firm his resolve, and declares
future Buddhahood after a vast period.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:3
label: Buddha and teacher of the Law
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Dīpankara is identified as Buddha and Teacher, preaches the Law, and establishes
people in religious practices and attainments.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: recipient and pronouncer of blessing
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:4
basis: Sumedha receives blessings, while the angels and men pronounce blessings
for his future attainment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: religious community and supporters
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:5
basis: The people of Ramma keep open house to the priesthood with the Buddha at
their head.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: forest-entering ascetic quester
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: After taking on the ten Conditions, the Bodhisatta begins fulfilling them
and enters the forest.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: converter and savior of multitudes
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Dīpankara converts large numbers, awakens distant persons ripe for salvation,
and procures salvation for many.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: liberated assembly
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The passage describes large meetings of spotless Arhats and assemblies around
Dīpankara.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: offerings of flowers and fragrance
literal_form: garlands, flowers, perfumes, unguents, and presents
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: sym:2
label: seat and throne of knowledge
literal_form: the Bodhisatta’s seat and the throne of knowledge mentioned in blessing
verses
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- id: sym:3
label: ten Perfections / ten Conditions
literal_form: the number ten attached to the Perfections or Conditions undertaken
by the Bodhisatta
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: flowering and fruit-bearing trees
literal_form: trees bringing forth flowers and fruit in season
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: sym:5
label: ten thousand worlds
literal_form: all the ten thousand worlds named as the range of angelic assembly
and future shining
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: sym:6
label: Himavanta and lofty rocks
literal_form: Himavanta, Nārada Kūta, and the lofty rock Sudassana
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: sym:7
label: moon, sun, and Rāhu
literal_form: the full moon and the sun released by Rāhu used in blessing similes
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:8
label: rivers and great ocean
literal_form: all rivers finding their way to the great ocean
associated_figures:
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:9
label: Nirvāṇa element without trace
literal_form: the element of annihilation in which no trace of existence remains
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Ramma people honor the Bodhisatta
summary: After hearing the Buddha’s words, the people of Ramma bring offerings to
the Bodhisatta, bow and salute him, and return to the city.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Angels bless Sumedha’s resolve
summary: Angels from the ten thousand worlds gather, offer garlands and perfumes,
praise Sumedha’s resolve at Dīpankara’s feet, and bless his path to Buddhahood.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: scene:3
label: Bodhisatta undertakes the Perfections and departs
summary: Sumedha vows to fulfill the ten Perfections and become a Buddha after a
vast span, rises into the air, returns to Himavanta, and enters the forest to
begin fulfilling the Conditions.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Dīpankara teaches Ramma and attains Nirvāṇa
summary: The people support the priesthood; Dīpankara preaches the Law, establishes
followers in refuges and faith, lives out his span, and attains Nirvāṇa without
trace of existence.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Dīpankara’s conversions and assemblies
summary: Dīpankara grants religious attainments, converts immense numbers, awakens
distant persons ripe for salvation, preaches in the angel world, and is associated
with great assemblies and Arhats at mountain or rock settings.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Bodhisatta’s great vow and undertaking of perfections
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
- mystical_quest
- wisdom
basis: Sumedha takes on the Perfections, makes a firm resolve before Dīpankara,
and declares his future attainment of Buddhahood after a vast span.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents a Buddhist doctrinal vow rather than a generic initiation;
taxonomy references are approximate motif-family alignments.
- id: motif:2
label: Homage, offerings, and blessing around a holy figure
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
basis: People and angels offer flowers, perfumes, and other gifts, while blessings
are pronounced for Sumedha’s attainment.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The exchange is devotional and liturgical; the passage does not describe
a negotiated bargain.
- id: motif:3
label: Ascent or flight after sacred resolve
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
basis: After declaring his future Buddhahood, the Bodhisatta rises into the air
and returns to Himavanta.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives the ascent briefly and without additional journey details.
- id: motif:4
label: Forest departure after vow
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
- mystical_quest
basis: The Bodhisatta begins to fulfill the ten Conditions and enters the forest
after the vow and blessings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The passage marks the departure but does not narrate subsequent forest
events in this excerpt.
- id: motif:5
label: Buddha as universal teacher and converter
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: Dīpankara preaches the Law, establishes followers in refuges and practices,
converts multitudes, awakens distant persons, and teaches in the angel world.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The motif is doctrinally framed as Buddhist teaching activity rather than
a culture-hero narrative.
- id: motif:6
label: Final Nirvāṇa without remaining trace
taxonomy_refs:
- annihilation_union
basis: Dīpankara lives out his span and attains Nirvāṇa in an element of annihilation
where no trace of existence remains.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: low
cautions: The available taxonomy label includes 'union,' while the passage emphasizes
annihilation and absence of trace; alignment is therefore limited.
- id: motif:7
label: Refuge converging like rivers to the ocean
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A blessing verse asks that the worlds of men and angels take refuge in the
Bodhisatta as rivers find their way to the great ocean.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: This is an explicit simile within a blessing verse, not an independently
narrated episode.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage explicitly compares the Bodhisatta’s timely attainment of Buddha-wisdom
to flowering trees blossoming when their season comes.
claim_level: same_function
target: seasonal_cycle pattern of timely blossoming
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: This is an internal simile in the passage; it does not by itself establish
historical contact or a broader comparative tradition.
- id: claim:2
claim: The passage explicitly compares future refuge in the Bodhisatta to rivers
converging into the great ocean.
claim_level: visual_similarity
target: water-convergence image for refuge
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: medium
limitations: The claim is limited to the passage’s own simile and should not be
extended to external water motifs without further evidence.
- id: claim:3
claim: The blessing verses align Sumedha’s projected path with the repeated pattern
of all Buddhas fulfilling the ten Perfections, attaining enlightenment, and establishing
the Law.
claim_level: same_function
target: pattern attributed in the passage to all Buddhas
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The comparison is internal to the Buddhist frame given in the passage
and is not a claim about other traditions.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 4163-4175
quote_or_summary: People of Ramma hear the Buddha’s words, bring offerings to the
Bodhisatta, bow to him, and return; the Bodhisatta takes on the Perfections, resolves,
bows to Dīpankara, and rises from his seat.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary from supplied passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 4176-4193
quote_or_summary: Angels from the ten thousand worlds assemble, offer garlands and
perfumes, praise Sumedha’s resolve at Dīpankara’s feet, bless him against sickness
and hindrance, and compare his attainment to trees flowering in season.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary from supplied passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 4194-4204
quote_or_summary: The Bodhisatta resolves that after fulfilling the ten Perfections
for four asankheyyas and a hundred thousand cycles he will become a Buddha; he
rises into the air and returns to Himavanta.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary from supplied passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 4205-4241
quote_or_summary: Verses describe angels and men sprinkling flowers, blessing the
Bodhisatta, urging fulfillment of the ten Perfections, and using similes of trees,
moon, sun, rivers, and ocean; he takes the ten Conditions and enters the forest.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary from supplied passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 4242-4257
quote_or_summary: The people of Ramma support the priesthood; Dīpankara preaches
the Law, establishes followers in refuges and faith, completes the duties of a
Buddha, and attains Nirvāṇa in an element where no trace remains.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary from supplied passage.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 4258-4279
quote_or_summary: Verses state that Dīpankara establishes people in refuges, precepts,
priesthood, Fruitions, Knowledges, Acquisitions, Wisdoms, and supernatural Faculties;
he saves many, awakens distant persons, and converts vast numbers including in
the angel world.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary from supplied passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 4280-4291
quote_or_summary: Dīpankara is said to have three assemblies; large numbers gather,
including spotless Arhats at Nārada Kūta and a vast surrounding at the lofty rock
Sudassana.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain; summary from supplied passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: medium
notes: The passage is explicit about figures, actions, vows, blessings, teaching,
conversion, and Nirvāṇa. Motif-family alignment is strongest for ascent, departure,
vow/quest, and wisdom; weaker where the taxonomy only partly matches Buddhist
doctrinal terms.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Only the supplied passage and metadata were used. No external parallels or historical-contact claims are asserted.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg__l4163-l4291
passage_sha256=91cdd86e4e109447859c3523dacbefb5a1319a7aa2dfac7d9cfcb1d4120441de