Kunala-jataka, Kuṇāla-jātaka, Kunalajataka: 1 definition
Introduction:
Kunala-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 NamesKunala, king of the Citrakokilas, though well served by his hen birds, always despised them and found fault with them. The king of the Phussakokilas, Punnamukha, on the other hand, always sang the praises of his escort. One day the two kings met, and Punnamukha asked Kunala why he was not more gracious to his ladies. Because I know too much about women, was the answer; but Punnamakha was not in a mood to discuss the matter any more.
Later, Punnamukha fell ill, and his hen birds deserted him and came to Kunala. He drove them away, ministered to Punnamukha, and cheered him. Some time after, Kunala, seated on the Manosilatala in Himava (according to Buddhaghosa, D.ii.675, this was on the banks of the Kunaladaha), started to tell his friend of the wickedness of women. Hearing of this, many inhabitants of numerous worlds came to listen to him, among them Ananda, king of the vultures, and the ascetic Narada. Many were the instances given by Kunala to illustrate the deceitfulness, ingratitude and immorality of women - among them the stories of
Kanha
Saccatapavi
Kakati
Kurangavi
Pingiyani, Brahmadattas mother who sinned with Pancalacanda
the queen Kinnara
Pancapapa
Kunalas diatribe was followed by Anandas, and his by Naradas, each claiming to speak from facts within their knowledge.
In the stories related by Kunala, the bird king is identified with one of the characters concerned in each story, so that he was able to speak with authority. Thus he was
Ajjuna, one of Kanhas husbands;
the goldsmith in the story of Saccatapavi;
the Garuda in Kakatis tale;
Chalangakumara, who misconducted himself with Kurangavi;
Pancalacanda, lover of Brahmadattas mother;
the chaplain, also called Pancalacanda, who saved Kinnara from her husbands wrath;
Baka, one time husband of Pancapapa;
and Brahmadatta, husband of Pingiyani.
Punnamukha is identified with Udayi, the vulture king with Ananda and Narada with Sariputta.
The preaching of the Kunala Jataka was followed by that of the Mahasamaya Sutta.
This Jataka was related in order to destroy the discontent that rose in the hearts of the Sakiyan youths, kinsmen of the Buddha, who, having entered the Order, were troubled by the thought of the wives they had left behind. The Buddha therefore took them to the Himalaya, showed them the magnificent beauty of the region, particularly the miraculous splendours of the Kunaladaha, and there preached to them. At the end of the Jataka they all became arahants. We are told that that very day they became arahants (J.v.412-56; also DA.ii.674ff; AA.i.173).
See also the Cula Kunala Jataka.
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: Kunala, Jataka.
Full-text: Kunala, Dvaravasin, Kanakaratha, Punnamukha, Culla Kunala Jataka, Sammodamana Jataka, Kakati Jataka, Rakkhita, Amara Amaradevi, Pingiyani, Kamboja, Himava, Kanavera Jataka, Mahasamaya-sutta, Koliya.
Relevant text
Search found 5 books and stories containing Kunala-jataka, Kuṇāla-jātaka, Kunalajataka, Kuṇālajātaka; (plurals include: jatakas, jātakas, Kunalajatakas, Kuṇālajātakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Discourse on Kuṇāla Jātaka < [Chapter 22 - Founding of Vesali]
Biography (36): Nandaka Mahāthera < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]
Part 6 - War between the Sakyans of Kapilavatthu and of Koliya < [Chapter 22 - Founding of Vesali]
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 464: Culla-Kuṇāla-jātaka < [Volume 4]
Jataka 74: Rukkhadhamma-jātaka < [Book I - Ekanipāta]
Jataka 33: Sammodamāna-jātaka < [Book I - Ekanipāta]
The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study) (by Moumita Dutta Banik)
(8) Atanatiya-sutta < [Chapter 4 - Subject Matter of the Third Bhanavara]
Settlement in Early Historic Ganga Plain (by Chirantani Das)
Part 16 - Vārāṇasī from proto historic to historic context < [Chapter VI - Vārāṇasī: Emergence of the Urban Centre and Seat of Administration]
Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story) (by Somadeva)
Chapter LXV < [Book X - Śaktiyaśas]