In the Paramattha-jotika II, at 128-29, we find the passage below,
commenting on Suttanipata, verse 74. In the passage, it is said
that the paccekabuddha Matanga was still alive when the Bodhisatta
arose in the world, and on being informed of this by the devas, he
attained parinibbana.
It struck me as strange that a paccekabuddha should still be alive
at the time the Bodhisatta appears in the world. I vaguely recall
reading elsewhere in a Pali commentary that paccekabuddhas
completely vanish from the world *before* the Bodhisatta even
descends from the Tusita realm. Yet I can't locate the passage.
This is the position taken in the Mahavastu (see Mvu I 357;
trans. by Jones I 302–3), but I
believe I saw the same in a Pali work. Is anybody able to provide
me with the reference? It's also possible that I am simply
conflating in my mind the passage of the Mvu with the Pali
material. Any help would be welcome.
Asantasaṃ
jīvitasaṅkhayamhi, eko care khaggavisāṇakappo’’ti.
--
Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi
Chuang Yen Monastery
2020 Route 301
Carmel NY 10512
U.S.A.
Sabbe sattā averā hontu, abyāpajjā hontu, anighā hontu, sukhī hontu!
願眾生無怨，願眾生無害，願眾生無惱，願眾生快樂！
May all beings be free from enmity, free from affliction, free from distress. May they be happy!