Sunita

Sonu was a highly accomplished disciple of the Buddha. He was born in a family of untouchables whose job was of sweeping around the temple area. According to Thanissaro Bhikkhu's translation of the Theragāthā account, Sunīta laments:


 * "People found me disgusting,
 * despised me, disparaged me.
 * Lowering my heart,
 * I showed reverence to many."

Sunīta continues, describing his meeting with the Buddha and ordination:


 * The compassionate Teacher,
 * sympathetic to all the world, said:
 * "Come monk."
 * That was my formal Acceptance.

Sunīta practiced arduously and eventually became an Arhant. His status was acknowledged by the gods Brahmā and Śakra:


 * Then, as night was ending
 * & the sun returning,
 * Indra & Brahmā came to pay homage to me,
 * hands palm-to-palm at their hearts:
 * "Homage to you,
 * O thoroughbred of men,
 * Homage to you,
 * O man supreme,
 * whose effluents are ended.
 * You, dear sir,
 * are worthy of offerings."