Vattaka Jataka, Vattaka-jātaka: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Vattaka 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 Names1. Vattaka Jataka (No. 35). The Bodhisatta was once born as a quail, and before he was old enough to fly, fire broke out in the forest wherein his nest was. Seeing no means of escape, he made an Act of Truth (sacca kiriya), calling to mind the holiness of the Buddhas and their doctrines. The fire retreated to a distance of sixteen lengths and then extinguished itself. The story was related in reference to a fire which broke out in the jungle when the Buddha was travelling in Magadha with a large company of monks. Some of the monks were frightened and suggested various methods for putting out the fire, while others said they should seek the Buddhas protection. This they did and the Buddha took them to a certain spot, where he halted. The flames came no nearer than sixteen lengths from where they were standing, and in approaching the spot extinguished themselves. When the monks marvelled at the great power of the Buddha, he told them the story of the past and said that, owing to his Act of Truth as a quail, that spot would never be harmed by flames during the whole of this kappa. J.i.212ff.; cp.i.172.
2. Vattaka Jataka (No. 118). The Bodhisatta was once born as a quail, and was caught by a fowler who sold birds after fattening them. The Bodhisatta, knowing this, starved himself, and when the fowler took him out of the cage to examine his condition the quail flew away and rejoined his companions.
The story was told in reference to a young man of Savatthi called Uttarasetthiputta. He had descended from the Brahma world and had no desire for women. Once, during the Kattika festival, his friends sent him a gaily decked woman to entice him, but he gave her some money and sent her away. As she came out of his house, a nobleman saw her and took her with him. When she failed to return, her mother complained to the king, and the setthiputta was told to restore her. On failing to do so, he was taken off for execution. He resolved that if by any means he could escape execution he would become a monk. The girl noticed the crowd following the young man, and on learning the reason she revealed her identity and he was set free. He, thereupon, joined the Order and soon after became an arahant. J.i.432ff.
3. Vattaka Jataka (No. 394). The Bodhisatta was once a forest quail living on rough grass and seeds. A greedy crow of Benares, who was in the forest, saw the quail and thought that the good condition of his body was due to rich food. The quail, seeing the crow, talked to him, and then the crow discovered that the quail had a beautiful body not because he ate rich food, but because he had contentment of mind and freedom from fear.
The story was related in reference to a greedy monk who is identified with the crow. J.iii.312f.
4. Vattaka Jataka. See also the Sammodamana Jataka, which is evidently also referred to as the Vattaka 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).
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryVattaka, (adj.) (fr. vatta1) doing, exercising, influencing; in vasa° having power, neg. avasa° having no free will, involuntary PvA. 64. (Page 598)
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Vattaka, Jataka.
Full-text: Sammodamana Jataka, Mahasamaya-sutta, Rohini.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Vattaka Jataka, Vattaka-jātaka; (plurals include: Vattaka Jatakas, jātakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Discourse on Vattaka Jātaka (or Sammodamāna Jātaka) < [Chapter 22 - Founding of Vesali]
Part 6 - War between the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu and of Koliya < [Chapter 22 - Founding of Vesali]
The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study) (by Moumita Dutta Banik)
(8) Atanatiya-sutta < [Chapter 4 - Subject Matter of the Third Bhanavara]