| J.099 |
Parosahassa Jaataka |
Once the bodhisatva was an ascetic in the Himalayas -- leader of 500 ascetics. His
chief disciple was away at the time of the bodhisatvaís death, and when his other
disciples asked him, just before his death, what excellence he had attained, he answered
ënothingí -- meaning ëinsight into the nothingness of thingsí. The disciples misunderstood,
however, and omitted to pay him honour at his cremation. When his chief disciple
returned and heard what had happened, he tried to explain to them, but they would
not listen to him until the bodhisatva himself reappeared from the Brahma-world and
convinced them of their folly. ëFar better than a thousand fools is one who hearing,
understandsí. The story was told in reference to Sariputtaís great wisdom. He is
identified with the chief disciple. See also Parosata
Jaataka (J.101). |
56/379 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.406ff. |
folly, nothingness |