| J.190 |
Silaanisa.msa Jaataka |
Once a pious disciple of Kassapa Buddha went to sea with a barber who had been placed
in his charge. The ship was wrecked and together they swam by means of a plank to
a desert island. There the barber killed some birds and ate them -- however, the
lay-disciple refused a share and meditated on the Triple Gem. The naga-king of the
island, impressed by this, turned his body into a ship and with the Spirit of the
Sea as helmsman, offered to take the lay-disciple to Jambudipa. The barber also wished
to go, but his plea was refused because he was not pious. Thereupon, the lay disciple
dedicated to him the merits of his own virtues and the barber was accepted on board.
Both were conveyed to Jambudipa where wealth was provided for them. The story was
related to a holy believer who, coming one day to Jetavana, found no ferry to take
him across the Aciravati. Not wishing to return, he started to walk across the river
with his mind full of thoughts about the Buddha. In the middle of the river he lost
his train of thought and was about to sink when he put forth effort and crossed over.
The Buddha, hearing of this, told him the story and at its conclusion the man became
a sagadagamin. The naga-king was Sariputta and the Sea Spirit was the bodhisatva. |
57/219 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.ii.111ff. |
Triple Gem, transfer of merit |