Garuda aka Supanna: A demigod?

[Ontheway]

I have read Vidhurapandita Jataka and Pandaraka Jataka, it seems both King of Naga and King of Supanna (or Garuda) can interact with each other face-to-face without violence and hatred, and they both also capable of developing excellent virtues (eg: forbearance and self restraint).

As Naga (mystic dragons) are classified a Catumaharajikā Deva under the command of Virupakkha Devaraja, what about Garudas (Supannas) ? Are they under the command of the Catumaharajikā Kings too? Or they are a separate entity by their own?

I tried to find such info in the Suttas but not much…only noticed that in Mahasamaya Sutta, it was written that Garudas taken refuge in Gotama Buddha.

They resembled birds of prey a lot…

And are they demigods or belong to Tiracchana (animal) realm ?

[Trobinson465]

Catumaharajikā literally means the four great kings. There are four kings, each ruling a class of devas: one that rules yakkhas, one that rules nagas, one that rules gandhabbas, and one that rules kumbhandas. Ive heard conflicting stories about this, ive once heard that garudas are a type of kumbhanda and thus are under the rule of thier king, and in another ive heard they are not under the jurisdiction of any of the four great kings but are still a type of deva living in that realm or lower.

[Ontheway]

I found some good info from this link:
https://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/g/garudaa.htm

It says that Sakka Devaraja appointed them as guards against Asura troops.

To my surprise, one Supanna mentioned in Vidhurapandita Jataka named Son of Vinata, which coincidentally shared the same name as Hindu version of Garuda too.

Sharing pic of my little piece of art token - Thai Garuda pendant.

[Ontheway]

It is stated that the nagas are capable of faith and attendance to Dhamma Sermons (like how the young Naga is faithful to Buddha’s teachings and even ordained as monk, but disrobed later).

Not much records of Supannas or Garudas on how they act the same to the Buddhasasana. So far I know Mahasamaya Sutta spoke about them but not many details.

My little Garuda statue, holding two Nagas:

[Brunobm]

Supannas/ Garudas/ Phoenixes and Nāgas/ Cobras/ Dragons are considered animals. Being born as a Supanna or Nāga results from mixed kamma—bad enough to prevent rebirth as a human or deva, but good enough to grant certain benefits, such as beauty, power, longevity, and mundane happiness.

Dhammapada 182 commentary

These beings cannot attain stream-entry. They may be devoted to the Buddha, but due to their unfortunate births, they lack the capacity for a profound understanding of the Dhamma. While they may possess intelligence, it’s not the kind that enables them to attain the Paths and Fruitions. So those Supannas and Nāgas who wish to attain Nibbāna practice the precepts and engage in merit-making to attain better rebirths, giving them a chance to fully practice the Dhamma.

There is a famous story of a Nāga who assumed human form to be ordained as a monk but was expelled from the Saṅgha by the Buddha. Nāgas are not considered fit for monkhood. The same seems to be valid for Supannas.

The Great Chapter of Vinaya, see No. 49.Animals

The dragon [nāga] woke up [after being discovered in his true form] from the noise and sat down on his seat. The monks asked him who he was. He replied, “I’m a dragon.”

“Why did you do this?” The dragon told them what had happened, and they told the Buddha.

He then had the Sangha of monks gathered and said to the dragon, “Dragons are unable to make progress on this spiritual path. Go, dragon, and keep the observance days of the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the eighth of the lunar half-month. In this way you’ll be released from existence as a dragon and quickly become human.”

When he heard this, the dragon wept. Sad and miserable, he cried out in distress and left.

See SN 29, SN30, SN31 and SN32 to more information.
Khandhavaggasaṁyutta, see 29-32