Biography (4): Hatthakālavaka of Uposatha Habit

(a) His Past Aspiration

The future Hatthakāḷavaka was reborn into a worthy family in the City of Haṃsāvatī, during the time of Buddha Padumuttara. On one occasion, when he was listening to the Buddha’s sermon, he saw a lay disciple being named the foremost among those lay disciples who were accomplished in the practice of the four ways of kind treatment to others^[1]. He emulated that man, and, making an extraordinary offering, he aspired to that distinction. The Buddha prophesied that his aspiration would be fulfilled.

(b) His Last Existence as Prince Āḷavaka

The future Hatthakāḷavaka was reborn in the good destinations for the entire one hundred thousand world-cycles. During the time of Buddha Gotama he was reborn as Prince Āḷavaka, son of King Āḷavaka, in the city of Āḷavī.

(In this connection, the background events beginning with the sporting expedition of King Āḷavaka, to the establishment in the Uposatha precepts of Prince Āḷavaka, his attainment of anāgāmī-phala, and his following of five hundred lay disciples who were established in the Uposatha precept, have been described fully in Chapter 33. The reader is advised to refer to the relevant pages therein.)

(c) Hatthakāḷavaka being named as The Foremost Lay Disciple

One day, Hatthakāḷavaka, the Uposatha-habituate, accompanied by five hundred lay disciples, visited the Buddha. After making obeisance to Him, he sat in a suitable place. When the Buddha saw the big following of very sedate manners that came with Hatthakāḷavaka, He said: “Āḷavaka you have a big following; what sort of kind treatment do you extend to them?” And Hatthakāḷavaka replied: “Venerable Sir, (1) I practise charity towards those persons who would be delighted by my act of charity. (2) I use pleasant words to those who would be delighted by pleasant words. (3) I give necessary assistance to those who are in need of such assistance and who would be delighted by my assistance. (4) I treat those as my equals in respect of those who would be delighted by such treatment.

With reference to that conversation between the Buddha and Hatthakāḷavaka, on one occasion, during the Buddha’s residence at the Jetavana monastery when He was conferring titles to outstanding lay disciples, He declared:

“Bhikkhus, among My lay disciples who kindly treat their followers in four ways, Hatthakāḷavaka is the foremost.”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Four ways of kind treatment to others: Saṅgaha-Vatthu: Liberality, kindly speech, beneficial actions, impartiality (A. IV, 32: VIII 24).