Ekasataka, Ekasāṭaka, Ekasātaka: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Ekasataka means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesA very poor brahmin who lived in the time of Vipassi Buddha. He was so called because he and his wife had, between them, only one upper garment, worn by whichever of them happened to be going out. The Buddha was in the habit of preaching every seven years. On one such occasion the brahmin listened to the Buddhas sermon, and being greatly pleased, wishing to make an offering, he gave the Buddha his upper garment after a hard mental struggle as to whether he could afford the gift. Having made the gift, he shouted with joy saying, I have won. The king of the city, Bandhuma, having heard the shout and learnt the reason, gave to the brahmin various rich gifts, including the sabbatthaka (*), all of which the latter presented to the Buddha, keeping, at the kings special request, a single pair of garments for himself and his wife. The king later made Ekasataka his chaplain (AA.i.92ff; also ThagA.ii.136).
The sabbatthaka seems to have been a gift of various things in groups of eight: eight elephants, eight horses, eight thousand pieces of money, etc. (DhA.iii.3); but see Mil.Trs.ii.147, n.1, where it is spoken of as an office.
Ekasataka is given in the Anguttara Commentary (loc. cit.) as a previous birth of the Elder Maha Kassapa. The Dhammapada Commentary (DhA.iii.1ff) mentions another brahmin, Culla Ekasataka by name. He is, however, stated as having lived in the time of Gotama Buddha, although the story related is, in most respects, identical with that given above, except that the king in the story of Culla Ekasataka is Pasenadi, king of Kosala. No mention is made of the brahmin being created purohita. Moreover, this brahmin received as gift only the sabbacatukka (groups of four) and not the sabatthaka. More important still, Culla Ekasataka is identified with Maha Ekasataka, the latter being mentioned as having lived in the time of Vipassi Buddha. Here we evidently have a confusion of legends.
The story of Ekasataka is related in the Milindapanha (pp.115, 291), as one of seven cases in which an act of devotion received its reward in this very life.
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryekasāṭaka : (adv.) definitely.
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Ends with: Cula Ekasataka, Vivekashataka.
Full-text: Cula Ekasataka, Bandhuma, Nigantha, Bhadda Kapilani Theri.
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Ekasataka, Ekasāṭaka, Ekasātaka; (plurals include: Ekasatakas, Ekasāṭakas, Ekasātakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 116 - The Story of Culla Ekasāṭaka < [Chapter 9 - Pāpa Vagga (Evil)]
Maha Kassapa (by Hellmuth Hecker)
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Biography (4): Mahā Kassapa Mahāthera < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]