| J.095 |
Mahaasudassana Jaataka |
The bodhisatva was born as King Mahasudassana who possessed the seven treasures of
a universal Monarch, he was handsome, long-lived, free from disease and beloved by
all classes of people. He had lotus ponds made all over his kingdom, food and clothing
being placed on the edges for any who might require them. With the money people brought
to the king Vissakamma, under Sakkaís orders, built the Dhammapaasaada Palace, filled
with all splendour and luxury. The king possessed a gabled hall called Mahaavyuuha
where he spent the hot part of the day. Having realized that his power and glory
were the result of past good deeds, Mahasudassana practised generosity, self-conquest
and self-control. He developed the four jhanas, suffusing all quarters with his brahmavihaaras.
Mahasudassana had 84,000 cities (the capital of which was Kusaavatii); 84,000 palaces
(the main one of which was the Dhammapaasaada); 84,000 gabled houses (the main one
of which was Mahaavyuuha); 84,000 state elephants (the main one of which was uposatha);
84,000 horses (led by Valaahaka); 84,000 chariots (the main one of which was Vejayanta);
and 84,000 wives (led by Subhaddaa). One day the king realized that his death was
approaching and, when Subhaddaa visited him and tried to distract him with pleasures,
he stopped her, telling her to speak to him of impermanence and the need to renounce
desire. While she was still talking to him, he died and was reborn in the Brahma-world.
For 84,000 years he had been prince, a viceroy and a king respectively. Later for
48,000 years he was a devout layman in the Dhammapaasaada. In the time of Kassapa
Buddha, Sudassana had been a forester. He met a monk in the forest and built a hut
for him. He also requested the monk to receive alms every day at his house or at
least to eat there. The monk agreed and Sudassana made his hut comfortable in every
way, constructing walks, bathing places, gardens etc. outside. He also gave innumerable
gifts of various kinds and descriptions. The Jataka was told by the Buddha on his
deathbed when Ananda asks Buddha in the Mahasudassana
Sutta (D.17) not to die in Kusinara because it is not an important town, the
Buddha reveals that in fact long ago, the town was once an important city called
Kusaavatii, the royal city of King Mahaasudassana. Mahasudassana is identified with
the Buddha. Subhaddaa is identified with Raahulamaataa. |
56/348 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.391ff. |
universal monarch |