| J.496 |
Bhikkhaaparampara Jaataka |
Once Brahmadatta, king of Benares, travelled about his kingdom in disguise seeking
for someone who would tell him of a fault possessed by him. One day, in a frontier
village, a very rich landowner saw him, and pleased with his appearance, brought
him a very luxurious meal. The king took the food and passed it to his chaplain --
the latter gave it to an ascetic who happened to be passing by. The ascetic placed
the food in the bowl of a paccekabuddha sitting nearby. The paccekabuddha proceeded
without a word to eat the meal. The landowner was astonished and asked them the reason
for their actions, and, on learning that each was progressively greater in virtue
than the king, he rejoiced greatly. The story was told in reference to a landowner
of Savatthi, a devout follower of the Buddha. Being anxious to honour the Dhamma
also, he consulted the Buddha, and, acting on his advice, invited Ananda to his house
and gave him choice food and three costly robes. Ananda took them and offered them
to Sariputta, who in turn offered them to the Buddha. Ananda was the king of the
story, Sariputta the chaplain,while the ascetic was the bodhisatva. |
60/530 |
Jaataka |
Khuddhaka |
J.iv.369ff. |
virtue, respect |