In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. Chattapani - An upasaka of Savatthi. He was an Anagami according to the Jataka account (J.i.381f.) and a Sakadagami according to the DhA. (i.380f.).

Once, when listening to the Buddhas teaching, he failed to notice and do reverence to the king, Pasenadi, who arrived during the discourse. Later, when summoned to the kings palace, he went with every sign of respect and paid obeisance to the king. When asked why he had not so behaved on the previous occasion, Chattapani replied that such an action would have been discourteous to the Buddha. Thereupon Pasenadi asked him to act as instructor in the Dhamma to the women of the palace, but he refused the invitation, deeming that such a course would be unseemly and unwise. The task was therefore given to Ananda. DhA.i.380f; cp. Vin.iv.157. The story is also found in J.i.381f, with several variations in detail. There we are told that the Buddha, seeing that the king was displeased, made special mention to him of Chattapanis attainments.

2. Chattapani - The barber of King Yasapani. His story is related in the Dhammaddhaja Jataka (q.v.). He had four virtues - he was free from envy, drank no intoxicants, had no strong desires and no wrath. In one of his previous lives he was a king whose queen carried on intrigues with sixty four of the slaves. Having failed to tempt the Bodhisatta, she spoke calumny against him and had him put in prison. But he explained the matter to the king and was released. From that time the king gave up envy. In another birth he was a king of Benares, strongly addicted to drinking and meat eating; one day the meat prepared for him was eaten by the palace dogs. It was fast day, and as there was no meat in the town the cook sought the queens advice. When the king sat down to eat, his small son, whom he much loved, was brought to him in the hope that he might forget to ask for meat. But the plan failed, and in his drunkenness he twisted his sons neck and had his flesh cooked for him to eat. Thence forth he refrained from strong drink and meat eating.

Two other births of Chattapani are mentioned, once as Kitavasa and once as Araka (q.v.). He is identified with Sariputta. J.ii.186-96.

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).

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

chattapāṇī : (m.) one who carries an umbrella.

context information

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)

Full-text: Dhammaddhaja Jataka, Culaka, Kitavasa, Mahasara Jataka.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Chattapani, Chattapāṇī, Chattapāni; (plurals include: Chattapanis, Chattapāṇīs, Chattapānis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)

Verse 51-52 - The Story of Chattapāni, a Lay Disciple < [Chapter 4 - Puppha Vagga (Flowers)]

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