Gandhara Jataka, Gandhāra-jātaka: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Gandhara 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)

[«previous next»] — Gandhara Jataka in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

The Bodhisatta was once king of Gandhara, and he and the king of Videha became friends, though they never saw each other. One day the Gandhara king saw an eclipse of the moon and, being stirred in his mind, left his kingdom and became an ascetic in Himava.

The Videha king, hearing of this, did likewise. They met in Himava, but failed to recognise each other until, seeing another eclipse of the moon, they exchanged reminiscences. They went out begging together, and the Videha ascetic, having once been given a large quantity of salt, stored up some of it for a saltless day. The Gandhara ascetic, finding this out, blamed his friend for his greediness, and the latter begged his forgiveness.

The Videha ascetic is identified with Ananda. The story was told in reference to the occasion of the passing of the rule forbidding monks to store medicine for more than seven days. J.iii.363ff; the introductory story is given in Vin.i.206ff; see also Pilindavaccha; the Jataka story is given in MA.i.534f.

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).

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