| J.148 |
Sigaala Jaataka |
The bodhisatva was once born as a jackal and, coming across the dead body of an elephant,
ate into it from behind and lived inside it. When the body dried up, he became a
prisoner and made frenzied efforts to escape. Eventually the storm broke, moistening
the hide and allowing him to emerge through the head, but not without losing all
his hair as he crawled through. He thereupon resolved to renounce his greediness.
The Jataka was told in reference to 500 companions, rich men of Savatthi who joined
the Order. One night the Buddha perceived that they were filled with thoughts of
lust. He therefore sent Ananda to summon all the monks in the monastery and told
the tale to illustrate the evil effects of desire. The five-hundred monks became
arahants. |
56/591 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.i.501ff. |
greed |