In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

The Bodhisatta is born as leader of a herd of monkeys. He has given strict injunctions that none of his followers should eat or drink in a strange place without his consent. One day the monkeys are very thirsty and arrive at a lake in the forest, but will not drink until their leader arrives. He examines the lake and discovers that it is haunted by an ogre. He then provides all his followers with long reeds which, by the power of his virtue, immediately become hollow throughout. Thenceforth all the reeds round that lake are hollow, and the lake itself comes to be known as Nalakapanapokkharani.

This is one of the four miracles which will endure throughout the kappa.

The story was related by the Buddha in the village of Nalakapana to explain the hollowness of the canes which grew round the lake. The ogre in the story is identified with Devadatta. J.i.170ff.

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: Jataka.

Full-text: Ketakavana, Nalakapana, Ghatikara.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Nalapana Jataka, Nalapāna-jātaka; (plurals include: Nalapana Jatakas, jātakas). 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)

(7) Seventh Pāramī: The Perfection of Truthfulness (sacca-pāramī) < [Chapter 6 - On Pāramitā]

show preview