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In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

Isisinga, son of the Bodhisatta and of a doe, who had drunk water into which the Bodhisattas semen had fallen, lived the ascetic life like his father. He had been warned by his father about the wiles of women, and lived in the forest practising the most severe austerities. By virtue of the power of these austerities, Sakkas abode trembled, and Sakka, fearing his rivalry, sent down a beautiful celestial nymph, Alambusa, to tempt him and despoil him of his virtue.

This she succeeded in doing, and for three years he lay unconscious in her embrace. At last, realising what had happened, he forthwith forsook sensual desire, and developing mystic meditation, attained to jhana. Alambusa pleaded for forgiveness, which was readily granted. The story was related in reference to the temptation of a monk by the wife he had had during his lay life (J.v.152-61. See also the Nalinika J. (v.193f.) where Isisinga is tempted by Nalinika).

In the Digha Nikaya Commentary (ii.370; see also Sp.i.214. Cp. the story of Rsyasrnga in the Ramayana i.9. The story is found in the Bharhut Tope, see Cunningham, CSB.29, P1.15) the name of the ascetic is given as Migasingi, and the story is quoted as an instance of a wrong explanation of the cessation of consciousness.

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).

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Jataka, Alambusha.

Full-text: Isisinga, Alambusha, Indriya Jataka.

Relevant text

No search results for Alambusa Jataka, Alambusa-jātaka; (plurals include: Alambusa Jatakas, jātakas) in any book or story.