Ghosaka Setthi: 1 definition

Introduction:

Ghosaka Setthi 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»] — Ghosaka Setthi in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

(v.l. Ghosita)

A setthi of Kosambi. Being born as the son of a courtesan, he is cast away on a refuse heap. A passer by takes him home, but the Treasurer of Kosambi, knowing from an astrologer that the stars showed the birth of a very lucky boy, seeks him out and adopts him. A few days after, the Treasurers wife bears him a son, and he therefore plans to kill Ghosaka with the help of a slave woman, Kali. All his attempts having failed, he promises a potter one thousand pieces if he will kill the boy. Ghosita is sent to the potter with a message; on the way he meets his foster brother, and gives him the message, promising to win for him a game of marbles. The foster brother goes to the potter and is killed. The Treasurer then sends Ghosaka to the superintendent of his hundred villages with a letter ordering that he be killed. The letter is fastened to the boys garment. On the way he stops for a meal at the house of a country treasurer whose beautiful daughter falls in love with him. Discovering the letter, she substitutes another to the effect that Ghosaka should be married to her with great festivity and that a two storied house should be built for them. The superintendent carries out these orders and the Treasurer falls ill on receiving the news. He is visited on his death bed by Ghosaka and his wife, and while trying with his dying breath to say I do not give him my wealth, by a slip of the tongue he says I do. Ghosaka becomes a very pious man and is made the Treasurer of King Udena. Later he meets Samavati, daughter of his friend Bhaddavatiya, adopts her as his daughter and, when the time comes, gives her in marriage to Udena.

In a past life Ghosaka had been Kotuhalaka of Addilarattha, but left there with his wife and child on account of great poverty. On the way he cast off the child on account of its being too heavy, but rescued it later in answer to his wifes importunities. It was as a result of that act that he was cast away in this birth. Later he was born as a dog and then as Ghosakadevaputta (DhA.i.169ff; PsA.504ff) (q.v.).

Ghosaka had two colleagues in Kosambi, Kukkuta and Pavariya. For a number of years they entertained five hundred ascetics from Himava, during the rainy season, until one year the ascetics, hearing from a tree sprite, who had been one of Anathapindikas labourers, of the arising of the Buddha, informed Ghosaka and his friends of their determination to see the Buddha at Savatthi. The ascetics went on ahead, followed by Ghosaka and the others, bearing all kinds of gifts. They all heard the Buddha preach, became sotapannas, and invited the Buddha to Kosambi. On the invitation being accepted, they built residences for the Buddha and the monks at Kosambi, that built by Ghosaka being called Ghositarama (DhA.i.203ff; AA.i.234f.; MA.i.539f; PsA.414, etc.).

Mitta (DhA.i.

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).

Discover the meaning of ghosaka setthi in the context of Theravada from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: