| J.260 |
Duuta Jaataka |
Once the bodhisatva was king of Benares. He was very fussy about food and spent so
much time worrying about it that he came to be known as Bhojanasuddhika (dainty-food).
He always ate in a decorated pavillion in full view of his people. One day, a greedy
man seeing him eat, and wishing to taste the food, rushed up to him with clasped
hands, saying that he was a messenger (duta), messengers having free access to the
king. Approaching the table, he snatched some food and put it in his mouth. The king’s
attendants wished to behead him, but the king invited him to share his meal and at
the conclusion, enquired as to his message. He said he was the messenger of Lust
and of the Belly, and told the king how great was the power of the two. The king
was pleased with him and gave him 1,000 cows. The story was told in reference to
a greedy monk. |
58/088 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.ii.318ff. |
greed |