| J.118 |
Va.t.taka Jaataka |
The bodhisatva was once born as a quail and was caught by a fowler who sold birds
after fattening them. Knowing this, the bodhisatva starved himself, and when the
fowler took him out of the cage to examine his condition, the quail flew away and
rejoined his companions. The Jataka was told in reference to a young man of Savatthi
called Uttarasetthiputta. He had descended from the brahma-world and had no desire
for women. Once, during the Kattika festival, his friends sent him a gaily-decked
woman to entice him, but he gave her some money and sent her away. As she came out
of his house, a nobleman saw her and took her with him. When she failed to return,
he mother complained to the king, and Uttara was told to restore her. On failing
to do so, he was taken off for execution. He resolved that if by any means he could
escape execution, he would become a monk. The girl noticed the crowd following the
young man, and on learning the reason, revealed her identity and he was set free.
He thereupon joined the Order and soon afterwards became an arahant. |
56/445 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.432ff. |
restraint |