Sujata goswami biography of mahatma

Woman said to have fed the Buddha

For other uses, see Sujata (disambiguation).

Sujata, also Sujātā, or Nandabala , was a farmer's wife, who is said to have fed Gautama Buddha a bowl of kheer, a milk-rice pudding, ending his six years of asceticism.

Such was his emaciated appearance that she wrongly believed him to be a tree-spirit that had granted her wish of having a child. The gift provided him enough strength to cultivate the Middle Way, develop jhana, and attain Bodhi, thereafter becoming known as the Buddha^[1][2][3]

In a previous life, she is said to have met Padumuttara Buddha, who predicted that one day she would be the first lay disciple of a Buddha of the future.^[4]

The village of Bakraur near Bodh Gaya is believed to be her home.

The Sujata Stupa was dedicated to her there in the 2nd century BCE^[5]

There is also the Sujata Temple, which today is a place of pilgrimage and a popular tourist si