Mattakundali, Maṭṭakuṇḍali, Matthakundali, Maṭṭhakuṇḍali: 1 definition
Introduction:
Mattakundali 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 NamesThe only son of the brahmin Adinnapubbaka. His father loved him dearly, but was a great miser, and made for him, with his own hands, a pair of burnished ear rings in order to save the goldsmiths fee; the boy thus came to be called Mattakundali (burnished ear rings). When he was sixteen he had an attack of jaundice. His father refused to call in a physician, and prescribed for him himself till the boy was beyond all cure. Then he carried him out and laid him on the terrace, lest those who came to prepare for the funeral should see his wealth.
The Buddha saw Mattakundali as he lay dying, and, out of compassion, came to the door of his fathers house. Too weak to do anything else, the boy conjured up devout faith in the Buddha; he died soon after, and was born among the gods in a golden mansion thirty leagues in extent. When he surveyed his past birth, he saw his father in the charnel ground, weeping and lamenting and preparing to cremate his body. Assuming the form of Mattakundali, he went himself to the charnel ground and, standing near, started to weep. When questioned by Adinnapubbaka, he said he wanted the moon, and in the course of conversation he revealed his identity and censured his father. Adinnapubbaka invited the Buddha to a meal the next day, and, when it was over, asked if it were possible to attain to heaven by a mere act of faith. In order to convince him, the Buddha made Mattakundali appear before him and confirm his statement that this was so. At the conclusion of the Buddhas sermon, both Adinnapubbaka and Mattakundali became sotapannas, and eighty thousand persons realized the Truth (Mil.350).
DhA.i.20ff.; Vv.vii.9; VvA.322ff.; Pv.ii.5; PvA.92; the stanzas found in Mattakundalis story occur also in the Mattakundali Jataka (q.v.), but the introductory story is quite different.
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)
Starts with: Mattakundali Jataka.
Full-text: Adinnapubbaka, Mattakundali Jataka, Ghata Jataka.
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Search found 2 books and stories containing Mattakundali, Maṭṭakuṇḍali, Matthakundali, Maṭṭhakuṇḍali; (plurals include: Mattakundalis, Maṭṭakuṇḍalis, Matthakundalis, Maṭṭhakuṇḍalis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 2 - The Story of Maṭṭakuṇḍali < [Chapter 1 - Yamaka Vagga (Twin Verses)]
A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada (by Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw)