| J.121 |
Kusanaa.li Jaataka |
The bodhisatva was born as a sprite in a clump of kusa grass. Close by was a mukkhaka
tree in which lived a tree sprite. One day, the kingís carpenter, looking for a suitable
pillar for the kingís one-pillared palace, reluctantly decided to fell the mukkhaka
tree. Learning of the tree-spriteís imminent danger, the bodhisatva assumed the shape
of a chameleon and deceived the carpenter into seeing the tree as being all rotten
and no use for his purpose. The story was told in reference to one of Anathapindikaís
friends. He was of low rank and poor, and Anathapindikaís other friends protested
against such intimacy. But one day, that friend saved Anathapindikaís house from
being burgled. The Buddha related the Jataka to show how each according to his strengths,
could help a friend in need. Ananda was the tree-sprite. |
56/463 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.441ff. |
friendship, loyalty |