Sunita 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 Arahant. 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."
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