Sūkaramaddava : An Unexplored Interpretive Perspective

Abstract

Although more than 2,500 years have passed, the mystery surrounding Sūkaramaddava, the final meal consumed by the Buddha before his Parinibbāna, remains unresolved. Scholars have yet to reach a consensus on what this food actually was. This article aims to propose an interpretive perspective that has not yet been explored, drawing upon the Pāli Canon, commentarial literature, and related Buddhist texts.

          The study finds that certain characteristics unique to all Buddhas may help clarify of this food, which appears to be a special kind requiring digestion through tejodhātu (the fire element) generated by the Buddha’s own karmic energy, known as pācaka-tejo. Regardless of its exceptional qualities, this food could not escape the law of Tilakkhaṇa — the three characteristics of existence. For this reason, Sūkaramaddava remains a significant topic in Buddhist discourse and continuing to be discussed even today.