Academic Sutta Name Notes PSA Plae Vagga Nikaya PTS Keywords
J.316 Sasapa.n.dita Jaataka | Sasa Jaataka | Jayaddisa Jaataka The bodhisatva was once born as a hare. He lived with three friends: a monkey, a jackal and an otter. The three lived in great friendship and the hare was their guide in spiritual matters. One day, the hare, observing the approach of the full moon, told his friends that the next day would be an observance day and that they must collect food and give it to any beggar who should approach them. The animals all went out very early in the morning. The otter found some fish buried in the sand, the jackal a dead lizard, some meat and a pot of curds and the monkey some fruits. Each finding that nobody came to claim the food, took them to their own dwelling. The hare had only kusa-grass, which he could not offer to anyone. He therefore decided to give his own body and because of his brave decision, Sakkaís throne was heated. Disguised as a brahmin, he came to test the hare. He went first to the other animals in turn and they all offered him what they had. He then approached the hare, whom he asked for food. The hare asked him to collect faggots from the wood and make a fire. Then, telling the brahmin that he would give him his own body, without the necessity for the brahmin to kill him, he shook out the insects from his fur then jumped into the fire with no more fear than if it had been a lotus bed. By the power of Sakka, the flames of the fire were cool and Sakka revealed his identity. Then, so that the hareís nobility might be known to all the world, he took some essence of the Himalayas and painted the form of a hare in the moon to remain there for the whole of this kappa. The Jataka was related in the course of giving a blessing to a landowner of Savatthi who had entertained the Buddha and his monks for seven days. Ananda is identified with the otter, Moggallana with the jackal and Sariputta with the monkey. Also contained in Cyp.i.10 and Jatakamala No.6. The Jataka exemplifies the perfection of giving. 58/481 Jaataka Khuddhaka J.iii.051ff. perfection of giving


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Last modified on: Sunday, 2 January 2000.