Surjunya Buddha

Surjunyas name is “Garudashekhar”. This is a Buddha born in Sarvodaya. He was born in Kusinagara, the place that he was supposed to enter upon death.

According to the legend of Avatara, it was Buddha Shakra who was so poor that he had to give his body for offering to Brahman. From that time, his fame spread in many countries. On this visit to Agasopu, where he had to choose one disciple, his other disciples discouraged him and said that, as this was the only opportunity he should select a disciple of his own choice.

Brahma said: “Brahman is truth and Brahma is Brahman. You will know the truth of Brahman, if you meditate on him.” Hearing this Buddha Shakra decided to meditate on Brahman alone.

In order to meditate on Brahman, he requested his disciples to assist him. Some of them helped him, but others did not accept the request. The Gandharvas Kutubahu (Agni), Panchadasi (Agni), Kumbhakarna (Laksmi), Mallanadurga (Ganesha) and Agastya (Ashoka) were instructed to take him to Brahma’s abode.

So they followed Brahman into Brahma’s abode. In that place, Brahma recognized Surajayudha (Siva) and proclaimed him to be the Buddha. In the knowledge of his guru, Surajayudha ascended to heaven.

He is known as the Sage, who offered a lot of merit and completed many good deeds. He accomplished many blameless lives, lived among the noble ones, taught the Dhamma to the people and then became a monk.

Surjunyas rich deep compassion and excellent qualities for training. After having attained the highest level of spiritual practice, he became the foremost teacher in the field of meditation. He taught in various centers of meditation. People from different continents were attracted to him, while some went to live in his abode.

Surjnyas revealed the truth of the experience of every person and proclaimed the liberation of the mind. He was reputed to be the sage who gave names to all the three worlds of consciousness, knowing everything about them. His teachings are still being practiced by the people in their self-help programs.