Mayhaka Jataka, Mayhaka-jātaka: 1 definition
Introduction:
Mayhaka 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)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesThe Bodhisatta was once born in a very wealthy family, and he built an alms hall and gave away generously. He married, and, on the birth of a son, he entrusted wife and child to his younger brother and became an ascetic. When the boy began to grow up, the brother drowned him in the river lest he should claim half the estate. The Bodhisatta saw this with his divine eye and called on his brother, to whom he pointed out the folly of covetousness You are like the bird, Mayhaka, who sits on the pipal tree and keeps on crying Mine, mine, while the other birds eat the fruit.
The story was told in reference to a wealthy man of Savatthi, a stranger who settled down there. He neither enjoyed his wealth nor gave it to others, living in poverty, eating rice dust and sour gruel, and travelling in a broken down chariot with a parasol of leaves. He died without issue and his money, passed to the king. When the king told the Buddha of this, the Buddha explained to him that the miser had, in a previous birth, met the Pacceka Buddha Tagarasikhi begging for alms and had sent word to his wife to give the food prepared for himself. This the wife gladly did. But the man saw Tagarasikhi with his bowl full of sweet foods and repented of his generosity. Therefore, in this birth, though possessing much wealth, he never enjoyed it. He was childless because he was the very man who had drowned the Bodhisattas son. J.iii.299-303.
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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Search found 2 books and stories containing Mayhaka Jataka, Mayhaka-jātaka; (plurals include: Mayhaka Jatakas, jātakas). 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 390: Mayhaka-jātaka < [Volume 3]
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Supplement (d): The Eight Differences (vematta) < [Chapter 9 - The chronicle of twenty-four Buddhas]