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Originally Posted by BigJohn
Maṅgala Buddha
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Maṅgala Buddha is extensively mentioned in the Buddhavamsa as the sixth Buddha from a list of 29 Buddhas. Siddhārtha Gautama Buddha is the current and is also the 28th Buddha. The 29th Buddha is the Buddha of the Future, and that is Maitreya.
We have already discussed the first five Buddhas. They are:
► Taṇhaṅkara Buddha
►► Medhaṅkara Buddha
►►► Saraṇaṅkara Buddha
►►►► Dīpankara Buddha
►►►►► Koṇḍañña Buddha.
The Buddhavamsa gives the history of the 27 Buddhas who proceeded Siddhārtha Gautama Buddha during the last twelve world cycles (kappas). The Four Nikāyas make no mention of the 29 Buddhas. In the Dīgha Nikāya, only six of the Buddhas are enumerated.
Maṅgala Buddha is the sixth Buddha listed in the Buddhavamsa. In countries where Theravada Buddhism is the dominate religions, festivals are held on a regular basis in which the patrons play homage to these Buddhas.
There are some Temples that are specific for a particular Buddha. For example, in Singapore is a Temple dedicated to the sixth Buddha, Maṅgala Buddha.
These Temples are open to the public but very few 'outsiders' have been inside. It should be noted that the Pagan Temples have the same 'honor'. As far as I am concerned, these Temples should be on every ones 'want to see' list.
For those who sense energies, a venture in a Temple that has all 29 Buddhas represented in statue form is a very impressive sight to see. I do not know how many times I have been in one of these Temples.
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As mentioned, Maṅgala Buddha, is the sixth of twenty-seven Buddhas who preceded the historical Gotama Buddha as recorded in the Buddhavamsa. The Buddhavamsa is the fourteenth book of the Khuddaka Nikāya, which is the fifth division of the Sutta Piṭaka. Maṅgala Buddha was also the first Buddha of the World called Sāramaṇḍa Kalpa. The Sāramaṇḍ Kalpa is a place where four Buddhas were born. That World was nothing like our current World. As for the word Kalpa, it appears to be a modified Hindu share word.
In the Buddhavamsa, Maṅgala Buddha is described as a Buddha that used the Dhamma Torch to enlighten the dark World. His rays, emanating from him, out shined the Sun and Moon so nobody could see the Sun nor the Moon.
Like his predecessor Buddhas, Maṅgala Buddha was a giant standing about 132 feet tall.