| J.040 |
Khadira"ngaara Jaataka |
Once the bodhisatva was Treasurer of Benares and a paccekabuddha emerging from seven
days of samapatti came to him at mealtime. The bodhisatva sent him some food, but
Mara created a pit of glowing khadira embers between the paccekabuddha and the Treasurerís
house When the Treasurer heard this, he took the bowl himself and stepped into the
pit, ready to die rather than to have his alms-giving thwarted. A lotus sprang up
to receive his foot, the pit vanished, and Mara discomfitted, vanished. The Jataka
was told relating to the behaviour of a house-devata in the palace of Anathapindika.
She, and her family had had to descend from the palace every time the Buddha entered
the palace for alms -- and to avoid the inconvenience, had tried to discourage Anathapindika
from his generosity by turning his relatives against him. Eventually when Anathapindika
exhausted his wealth through his generosity, she approached him directly and warned
him not to do any more generous things. He ordered her out of the house. Later, she
sought the counsel of Sakka, who told her to make up to him by revealing hidden treasure
to Anathapindika. |
55/365 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.226ff. |
generosity, mara, hindrance |