| J.003 |
Serivaa.nija Jaataka |
The bodhisatva was once a hawker of Seriva and was called Serivaa. Once, in the company
of a greedy merchant of the same name, he crossed the Telavaaha and entered Andhapura.
In that city was a family who had fallen on hard times, the sole survivors being
a girl and her grandmother. The greedy merchant went to their house with his wares.
The girl begged her grandmother to buy a trinket, and suggested that they should
give the hawker the golden bowl from which they ate. The bowl was a valuable heirloom,
but it had lost its lustre and the woman didnít know its value. The hawker was called
in and shown the bowl. He scratched it with a needle and knew it was gold, but wishing
to have it for nothing, said it was not worth half a farthing -- so he threw it away
and left. Later, the bodhisatva came to the same street and was offered the same
bowl. He told them the truth, gave them all the money he had and his stock, leaving
only eight pieces of money for himself. These he gave to the boatman and boarded
the boat to cross the river. Meanwhile, the greedy merchant went again to the old
womanís house, hoping to get the bowl in exchange for a few trinkets. When he heard
what had happened, he lost command of himself, and throwing down all he had, ran
down to the river to find the bodhisatvaís boat in mid-stream. He shouted to the
boatman to return, but the bodhisatva urged him on. The merchant, realizing what
he had lost through his greed, was so upset that his heart burst and he fell down
dead. The Jataka was told to a monk who had given up striving. The greedy merchant
is identified with Devadatta and this was the beginning of his enmity towards the
Buddha. |
55/178 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.110ff. |
greed, vengeance, vow |