[Verse 1]
In days of old, a florist stood,
A man named Sumana, with a heart of good.
He saw the Buddha, Sikhī bright,
And felt his soul awaken to the light.
[Verse 2]
With both his hands, he gently raised
The jasmine flowers in a loving praise.
No gold or crown, no wealth to bring,
Just faith and love before the Awakened King.
[Pre-Chorus]
A gift is more than what we give,
It's the pure intention with which we live.
A humble flower, a heart sincere,
Can make the path of goodness clear.
[Chorus]
One jasmine flower, offered with devotion,
A heart awakened, a peaceful ocean.
Let faith and kindness light the way,
And guide our steps through every day.
[Verse 3]
Through changing lives and passing years,
His wholesome deeds brought joy, not fear.
In Buddha Gotama's time, he came,
And entered the path beyond all blame.
[Bridge]
Four analytical knowledges,
Eight liberations, wisdom's light.
Six higher knowledges realized,
His task complete, his heart released.
[Final Chorus]
One jasmine flower, offered with devotion,
A heart awakened, a peaceful ocean.
Beyond the gifts and worldly gain,
Walk the path that ends all pain.
[Outro]
Flowers may fade, but wisdom stays,
Let pure intentions guide our ways.
Give with love, let wisdom grow,
And find the peace the Buddhas show.
Venerable Sumanathera: The Offering of Jasmine Flowers to Buddha Sikhī and the Fruits of Devotion
1. The Story in the Tipiṭaka
The story of Venerable Sumanathera appears in the Sumanatherāpadāna, No. 69, in the Apadāna, Khuddaka Nikāya, Sutta Piṭaka, Volume 32. It recounts the merit resulting from an offering of jasmine flowers.
Venerable Sumanathera recalled that, in a former existence, he was a florist named Sumana. One day, he saw Buddha Sikhī, the Worthy One who was free from defilements and worthy of offerings from the world.
Filled with faith and reverence, Sumana held beautiful, fully blossomed jasmine flowers in both hands and offered them to the Buddha.
He declared that through this floral offering and the wholesome intention with which he made it, he had never experienced an unfortunate destination. He further recalled the fruits of his offering across many aeons, including the appearance of four Universal Monarchs endowed with great power and the seven treasures.
In the final part of his verses, he declared that he had realized the four kinds of analytical knowledge, the eight liberations, and the six higher knowledges. He had fulfilled the Buddha's dispensation.
2. The Life of Venerable Sumanathera According to the Commentary
The commentary explains that the elder had cultivated spiritual perfections under former Buddhas and accumulated wholesome deeds that served as supporting conditions for Nibbāna.
During the time of Buddha Sikhī, he was born into a florist's family. As he grew older, he developed faith in the Buddha and offered jasmine flowers with both hands.
As a result of this wholesome deed, he experienced prosperity among celestial beings and human beings. In the era of Buddha Gotama, he was born into a prosperous family, had a wife and children, and was known as Sumana. Having developed faith in the Buddha's teaching, he ordained and attained arahantship not long afterward.
3. The Dhamma Teachings
Faith expressed through action: Sumana did not merely admire the Buddha; he expressed his faith through a sincere and wholesome offering.
Generosity with a pure intention: The spiritual value of an offering does not depend solely on its material price or quantity. The intention and purity of heart are essential.
The importance of wholesome intention: The verses mention both the flower offering and the establishment of the mind. A good deed should therefore be accompanied by a wholesome state of mind.
Accumulating wholesome conditions: The commentary explains that past meritorious deeds can become supporting conditions for spiritual development. Nevertheless, liberation requires the cultivation and practice of the Dhamma.
The ultimate goal is liberation: The story concludes not merely with worldly prosperity, but with the realization of profound spiritual attainments and the completion of the Buddha's dispensation.
4. A Message for Buddhists Today
The story of Venerable Sumanathera reminds us that a meaningful act of giving need not begin with great wealth. Even a simple jasmine flower can represent deep devotion when offered with a sincere and steadfast heart.
However, Buddhist practice should not stop at making offerings or wishing for future rewards. It should continue through generosity, morality, meditation, and wisdom, leading the mind toward freedom from suffering.
A flower offered with faith is beautiful; a mind cultivated with wisdom is liberated.
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