In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

An Elder who possessed the knack of saying the wrong thing. He would go to a place where people were enjoying a holiday and recite stanzas suitable to a funeral and vice versa (DhA.iii.123ff). When the Buddha heard of this he related the Somadatta Jataka, showing that in past births, too, Laludayi had possessed the same propensity. He is identified with the foolish father (Agnidatta) of the story (J.ii.167; DhA.iii.125). We also read of his jealousy of the praises bestowed on Sariputta and Moggallana for their knowledge and exposition of the Law, and he claimed that he possessed knowledge equal to theirs. But one day when asked to preach, he sat on a seat holding a painted fan, but found nothing to say. He thereupon agreed to preach in the evening; but the same thing happened, and he barely escaped with his life, so furious was his audience. The Buddha, on hearing of this, related the Sukara Jataka (in which Laludayi was the pig), showing that in the past, too, he had covered himself with disgrace because of his boastfulness. J.ii.344ff.; but according to the introductory story of the Jataka itself (in J.ii.9ff.), Laludayis name is not mentioned, and the incident described differs somewhat.

On another occasion, he had a dispute with Dabba Mallaputta regarding the allotment of the rice tickets, and the monks, in order to teach him a lesson, handed him the tickets to distribute. But he created such confusion that there was a great uproar, and Ananda was sent by the Buddha to find out what was happening. When Ananda returned with this story, the Buddha related the Tandulanali Jataka to show that in the past Laludayi had been a foolish appraiser (J.i.123ff). The Nangalisa Jataka gives another example of his folly and ineptitude (J.i.446ff); so does also the Padanjali Jataka (J.ii.263f), where he is identified with Padanjali, an idle, lazy loafer. In the Mahaummagga Jataka (J.vi.478) he is identified with the somewhat foolish king, Vedeha.

Laludayi once had a discussion with Pasura, who, at first, thought him to be clever and wise, and accepted him as teacher, being ordained by him. But, later, Pasura easily defeated him in discussion (SNA.ii.540). Others, too, visiting Jetavana, and seeing him in the Preachers seat, mistook him for an eminent Elder, but soon discovered their mistake (E.g., DhA.ii.31).

On one occasion (A.iii.192f.; AA.ii.628) Laludayi even dared to contradict Sariputta regarding birth among the manomayadeva ??. Three times Sariputta repeated his statement and three times Laludayi contradicted him, and, there being no monk in the assembly who supported Sariputta, he took Laludayi to the Buddha, where he three times repeated the same statement, being three times contradicted. Then the Buddha called Laludayi a witless fool and silenced him.

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).

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Udayi Vatthu, Kovariyaputta, Seyyasaka, Nangalisa Jataka, Tandulanali Jataka, Padanjali Jataka, Nirodha Sutta, Nibbana Sutta, Somadatta Jataka, Vedeha, Udayi Sutta, Pasura, Dabba Mallaputta, Aggidatta, Maha Kammavibhanga Sutta, Sukam Jataka, Upavana, Udayin.

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