According to the text there are three classes of Buddha, namely, Samma sam Buddha (the Supreme Buddha), Pacceka Buddha (the Solitary Buddha), and Anu-Buddha or Arahat disciple (the disciple pf the Supreme Buddha.) A supreme Buddha is the Buddha who discovers the law by himself and possesses unexcelled qualities of teacher, that make him the greatest moral teacher in the world. A supreme Buddha only arises in the time when the Dhamma is completely forgotten by men. Aeons and aenos elapse between each appearance of a supreme Buddha. Siddhatta Gotama is the Supreme Buddha of our time.
A Solitary Buddha, too, discovers the law by himself in the time when people are ignorant of the Dhamma, but he has no qualities of a teacher. Though he may not make them acquire right understanding deep enough to help them to attain Nibana. Yhus a solitary Buddha has no disciples but there may be several solitary Buddhas living together, each one having discovered the law by himself.
An Anu-Buddha or Arahta disciple is one who attains enlightenment by following the precepts of a supreme Buddha. Some arahats are great teachers who may help others reach Nibana, but they have to learn the Dhamma from the Supreme Buddha before they can teach others.
Written by Ashin Sandi (Dhammalayeik)
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