| J.420 |
Suma"ngala Jaataka |
The bodhisatva was once a king of Benares and had a park-keeper called Sumangala.
A paccekabuddha came from Nandamuulapabbhaara and took up abode in the park. The
king seeing him on his almsround, invited him for a meal in the palace and urged
him to stay longer in the park. The paccekabuddha agreed and the king told Sumangala
to look after him. One day, the paccekabuddha went away to a village and after an
absence of some days returned in the evening. Putting away his bowl and robe, he
sat on a stone seat. Sumangala was hunting in the park for some meat to feed relatives
who had arrived unannounced, and mistaking the paccekabuddha for a deer, shot him
with an arrow. The paccekabuddha revealed his identity and made Sumangala pull out
the arrow. Sumangala was full of remorse but the paccekabuddha died. Feeling sure
that the king would never forgive him, Sumangala fled with his wife and children.
After a year, he asked a friend, a minister at court, to discover how the king felt
towards him. The man uttered his praises in the kingís presence, but the king remained
silent. This was repeated every year and in the third year, knowing that the king
bore him no ill-will, he returned to the king who forgave him. When asked why he
had remained silent, the king replied that it was wrong for a king to act hastily
in his anger. Suma"ngala is identified with Ananda. The story was related in
connection with the admonition of a king. |
59/495 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iii.439ff. |
decision, anger, intention |