Hatthipala Jataka, Hatthipāla-jātaka: 1 definition

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Theravada
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Introduction:

Hatthipala 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 Names

Esukari, king of Benares, had no sons. His chaplain, hearing that the deity of a certain banyan tree had the power of giving sons, went to the tree and threatened to cut it down unless Esukari had a son. The tree deity consulted Sakka, who persuaded four devas to be born as the sons, not of Esukari, but of his chaplain. On the day when the chaplain came to cut down the tree, the deity told him of Sakkas decision, and also warned him that the sons would not live the household life. In due course the sons were born and were named Hatthipala, Gopala, Assapala and Ajapala. Various devices were adopted to prevent them from turning to the ascetic life. But when Hatthipala grew up he insisted on leaving home and becoming an ascetic, heedless of the entreaties both of his father and of Esukari. His brothers, when their time came, acted in the same way. Later, their parents joined them. The king sent for all their wealth, but the queen, being wise, made him realize by means of a simile the folly of such an act. Together they left the world and joined Hatthipala and his family. The citizens followed their example till the whole city was empty.

Hatthipala preached to them and they all became ascetics. His company covered an area of thirty leagues, and with it he went to the Himalaya, where Vissakamma, acting under Sakkas orders, built for them a hermitage extending over thirty six leagues, on the banks of the Ganges. Soon after, other kings who, with their followers, had gone, one after another, to take Benares, realizing their folly, joined Hatthipala and became ascetics.

The story was related in reference to the Buddhas Great Renunciation. Suddhodana was Esukari, Mahamaya his queen, Kassapa the chaplain, Bhadda Kapilani his wife, Anuruddha Ajapala, Moggallana Gopala, Sariputta Assapala and the Buddha himself Hatthipala.

The large concourse that followed Hatthipala is called Hatthipalasamagama, and in it were several who later attained arahantship in Ceylon - Phussadeva of Katakandharakara, Mahasangharakkhita of Uparimandalakamalaya, Maliyamahadeva, Mahadeva of Bhaggagiri, Mahasiva of Vimantapabbhara, and Mahanaga of Kalavallimandapa (J.iv.473-91; referred to at J.i.45). A Burmese monk of Ava, Ratthasara by name, born in 1468, composed a metrical version of the Hatthipala Jataka. Bode, op. cit., 44.

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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Search found 2 books and stories containing Hatthipala Jataka, Hatthipāla-jātaka; (plurals include: Hatthipala Jatakas, jātakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Jataka 70: Kuddāla-jātaka < [Book I - Ekanipāta]

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Part 16 - Vārāṇasī from proto historic to historic context < [Chapter VI - Vārāṇasī: Emergence of the Urban Centre and Seat of Administration]