Maccharikosiya: 1 definition
Introduction:
Maccharikosiya 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 Names1. Maccharikosiya. A setthi, worth eighty crores, of Sakkhara near Rajagaha. His real name was Kosiya, but as he was too miserly to give away even a drop of oil, he came to be called Maccharikosiya. One day, when returning from the palace, he saw a half starved yokel eating a round cake filled with sour gruel. The sight made him hungry, but fearing to spend his money, he told no one, but lay on his bed in great distress, till his wife found him. Having discovered the reason for his misery, she said she would bake cakes sufficient for everyone in Sakkhara. But that would be such extravagance, said Kosiya, and persuaded his wife to bake just one cake, using only broken grains of rice. Fearful lest someone should ask for a piece of his cake, he retired with her to the seventh storey of his house and there made her start the cooking after bolting all the doors.
The Buddha saw him with his divine eye and sent Moggallana to him; Moggallana stood poised in mid air just outside Kosiyas window and indicated his wish to have something to eat, but Kosiya blustered and threatened, and, after refusing to give him anything, bade his wife cook another little cake for him. But each cake she baked grew bigger than the previous one, and when she tried to take a single cake from the basket, they all stuck together. In despair, Kosiya presented cakes and basket to the Elder. Moggallana then preached on the importance of generosity, and transported Kosiya, his wife and the cakes to Jetavana. There the cakes were offered to the Buddha and five hundred monks, and even after they had all eaten, there was no end to the cakes. The spot where the remaining ones were thrown away at the gates of Jetavana was known as Kapallapuvapabbhara. The Buddha preached to Kosiya and his wife and they became sotapannas. Kosiya then spent all his wealth in the service of the Buddha and his religion. It was in reference to him that the Illisa Jataka was preached, Illisa being identified with Maccharikosiya. DhA.i.367ff.; J.i.345ff.
2. Maccharikosiya. See the Sudhabodhana Jataka.
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: Illisa Jataka, Sudhabhojana Jataka.
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Search found 2 books and stories containing Maccharikosiya; (plurals include: Maccharikosiyas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 535: Sudhābhojana-jātaka < [Volume 5]
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter IV - Mañjarī-jātaka < [Volume II]