Kanha Jataka, Kanha-jātaka: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Kanha Jataka 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)

[«previous next»] — Kanha Jataka in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. Kanha Jataka (No.29) - The story of Ayya kalaka (q.v.). The story was related by the Buddha to the monks, who expressed great wonder at the miracles performed by him at Sankassa. It was not only in his last birth that he performed wonders.

The old woman in the story is identified with Uppalavana (J.i.193ff).

The story is also given in the Anguttara Commentary (i.415), with a few additional details. The Dhammapada Commentary (iii.213) refers to it as the Kanhausabha Jataka.

2. Kanha Jataka (No.440) - The story of Kanha tapasa. He was the only son of a brahmin in Benares and inherited great wealth; he was educated at Takkasila. When his parents died he gave away all his wealth and retired to the Himalaya, where he practised rigid asceticism, never entering a village, eating the produce of only one tree, and living not even in a hut. He acquired great mystic powers, and Sakkas throne was heated by his virtue. Sakka visited him and, having tested him and asked him various questions, granted him six boons. The ascetic chose only such things as pertained to the life of renunciation. Sakka decreed that the tree under which the ascetic lived should bear fruit perennially.

The Sakka of the story was Anuruddha. It is said that the acetic was called Kanha on account of his dark complexion.

The story was related to Ananda in explanation of the Buddhas smile as he was passing a certain spot in the Nigrodharama in Kapilavatthu; it was the spot where the ascetic Kanha practised his meditations. J.iv.6ff

context information

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).

Discover the meaning of kanha jataka in the context of Theravada from relevant books on Exotic India

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