Mahabodhi Jataka, Mahābodhi-jātaka: 1 definition

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Mahabodhi 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.

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In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

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

The Bodhisatta was born in an Udiccabrahmin family, and, on growing up, renounced the world. His name was Bodhi.

Once, during the rains, he came to Benares, and, at the invitation of the king, stayed in the royal park. The king had five councillors, unjust men, who sat in the judgment hall giving unjust judgments. One day a man, who had been very badly treated by them, asked Bodhi to intervene. Bodhi reheard the case and decided in his favour. The people applauded, and the king begged Bodhi to dispense justice in his court. Bodhi reluctantly agreed and twelve years passed. The former councillors, deprived of their gains, plotted against Bodhi and constantly poisoned the kings mind against him; they first decreased all the honours paid to Bodhi, and when this failed to drive him away, obtained the kings permission to kill him.

A tawny dog, to whom Bodhi used to give food from his bowl, overheard the plot, and, when Bodhi approached the palace the next day, bared his teeth and barked as a warning of the conspiracy. Bodhi understood, returned to his hut, and, in spite of the kings expression of remorse, left the city, promising to return later, and dwelt in a frontier village. The councillors, nervous lest Bodhi should return, informed the king that Bodhi and the queen were conspiring to slay him. Believing their words, he had the queen put to death. The queens four sons thereupon rose in revolt, and the king was in great danger and fear.

When Bodhi heard of this, he took a dried monkey skin, went to Benares, and stayed again in the royal park. The king came to do him honour, but Bodhi sat silent, stroking the monkey skin. The king asked him why he did so. He answered, This monkey was of the greatest service to me; I travelled about on its back, it carried my water pot, swept out my dwelling, and performed various other duties for me; in the end, through its simplicity, I ate its flesh and now I sit and lie on its skin.

(He had used the skin for his garment, hence I sat on the monkeys back; he had the skin on his shoulder, whence his water pot was suspended, hence it carried the water pot; he had swept the cell with the skin, hence swept my dwelling place; he had eaten the flesh of the monkey, hence I ate its flesh).

The councillors who were present made great uproar, calling him a murderer and a traitor. But Bodhi knew that of these councillors, one denied the effect of all kamma, one attributed everything to a Supreme Being, one believed that everything was a result of past actions, one believed in annihilation, and one held the khattiya doctrine that one should secure ones interests, even to the extent of killing ones parents. He, therefore, argued with one after another,

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).

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