Alinacitta Jataka, Alīnacitta-jātaka: 1 definition
Introduction:
Alinacitta 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 NamesStory of the Bodhisatta, when he was born as Alinacitta, King of Benares.
An elephant, while walking in the forest, trod on a splinter of acacia wood left there by carpenters while felling forest trees for wood for buildings in Benares. In great pain he came to the carpenters and lay down before them. They removed the splinter and owing to their treatment the wound healed. The elephant, in gratitude, spent the rest of his life working for them, and, before his death, he enlisted his son, white in colour, magnificent and high bred, in their service. One day a half dry cake of the young ones dung was carried into the river by the flood (we are told that noble animals never dung or stale in water), and, floating down, stuck near the bathing place of the kings elephants in Benares. The royal elephants, scenting the noble animal, refused to enter the water and fled. Having discovered the reason for their behaviour, the king decided to obtain the animal for himself, and going up stream in a raft, he saw the carpenters and the white elephant working for them. The merchants agreed to give him to the king, but the elephant refused to move till the carpenters were adequately compensated. The animal was taken in procession to the city and with his help the king became supreme ruler over India.
In course of time the Queen Consort bore a son to the king, but the king died before his birth. The Kosala king thereupon laid siege to Benares, but desisted from attack for seven days, astrologers having predicted that at the end of that time the child would be born. The men of Benares had agreed to surrender unless the baby proved to be a boy. After seven days the queen bore a son named Alinacitta, and the in habitants of Benares gave battle to the Kosala king. The queen, being told that they were in danger of defeat, dressed the baby and took him to the elephant for protection. The elephant had been kept in ignorance of the kings death, lest he himself should die of a broken heart. But, on hearing the news, he sallied forth into battle and soon brought back the Kosala king as captive.
Alinacitta became, in due course, king over the whole of Jambudipa (J.ii.17-23). This story and that of the Samvara Jataka were both related in connection with a monk who had become faint hearted. For details see Samvara. The elephant of the Jataka was the faint hearted monk and the father elephant was Sariputta.
This Jataka also was related by the Buddha, with reference to the Elder Radha whom Sariputta had taken under his special spiritual protection and guidance, in gratitude for a ladleful of food that Radha, as layman, had once given him. The Buddha pointed out that this was not the first time that Sariputta had shown his gratitude (DhA.ii.106).
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: Alinacitta, Jataka.
Full-text: Alinacitta, Samvara Jataka, Radha.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Alinacitta Jataka, Alīnacitta-jātaka; (plurals include: Alinacitta 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)
Biography (40): Rādha Mahāthera < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]
The Alīnacitta Jātaka < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]
Settlement in Early Historic Ganga Plain (by Chirantani Das)
Part 7 - Ceramics and Pottery of the Vārāṇasī region < [Chapter VI - Vārāṇasī: Emergence of the Urban Centre and Seat of Administration]
Part 4 - Urban features of ancient Vārāṇasī < [Chapter VIII - Vārāṇasī–Sārnāth: Inter-Settlement Relations]
Part 3 - Rivers and other water sources of Vārāṇasī < [Chapter V - Rise of Vārāṇasī as a Nodal Centre]
The Life of Sariputta (by Nyanaponika Thera)
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 156: Alīnacitta-jātaka < [Book II - Dukanipāta]