In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

During the reign of Kosambika in Kosambi, two brahmins, Dipayana and Mandavya, gave away their vast wealth and lived for fifty years as ascetics in Himava. After that, while on a pilgrimage to Benares, they were entertained by a householder who was also named Mandavya. Dipayana journeyed on while the ascetic Mandavya remained in a cemetery near Benares. There some robbers left some stolen goods outside his hut, and Mandavya, being charged before the king, was impaled, but by virtue of his great powers he continued to live. Dipayana came to see his friend, and finding him thus and learning that he bore no ill will towards anyone, took up his abode under his impaled body. Gouts of gore fell from Mandavyas wound on to Dipayanas golden body and there dried, forming black spots; so he came to be called Kanha Dipayana. When the king heard of this, he had Mandavya released with a piece of the stake still inside him, on account of which he came to be called Ani Mandavya. Dipayana returned to the householder Mandavya, whose son Yannadatta he helped to heal by an Act of Truth, the child having been bitten by a snake while playing ball. The lads parents then performed acts of Truth. In this declaration of Truth it was disclosed that Dipayana had no desire for the ascetic life, that the father did not believe in the fruits of generosity, and that the mother had no love for her husband. They thereupon admonished each other and agreed to mend their ways.

The Mandavya of the story was Ananda, his wife Visakha, the son Rahula, Ani Mandavya Sariputta and Kanha Dipayana the Bodhisatta (J.iv.27ff). The occasion for the story is the same as that for the Kusa Jataka (q.v.). In one verse Kanha Dipayana is addressed merely as Kanha (Ibid., p.33).

The story is also given in the Cariyapitaka (p.99f).

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).

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Kanhadipayana, Jataka.

Full-text: Kosambaka, Mandavya, Yannadatta, Kanhadipayana.

Relevant text

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