| J.465 |
Bhaddasaala Jaataka |
Brahmadatta, king of Benares, wishing to have a palace built on one column, sent
his carpenters to find a suitable tree. They found many such in the forest, but no
road by which to transport them. At last they discovered a lordly sala-tree in the
king’s park and made preparations to cut it down. The deity of the tree, Bhaddasala,
who was the bodhisatva, was greatly distressed at the prospect of the destruction
of his children. He, therefore, visited the king by night and begged him not to have
the tree cut down. When the king refused this request, Bhaddasala asked that the
tree should be cut down in pieces, so that it’s fall might not damage its kindred
round about. The feeling of Bhaddasala for his kinsmen touched the king, and he desisted
from his purpose of destroying the tree. The story was related with reference to
the Buddha’s interference with Vidudabha when he wished to destroy the Sakyans. Ananda
is identified with the king. On this occasion the following Jatakas were also preached:
Kukkura
Jataka (J.022), Kaka
Jataka (J.140) and the Mahakapi
Jataka (J.407). |
60/109 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iv.153ff. |
compassion |