In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

He belonged to a brahmin family of Savatthi and entered the Order after hearing the Buddha preach. He attained to entire purity of conduct, but, because of some action in his former life, was attacked by leprosy, and his limbs gradually decayed. He therefore lived in the infirmary. One day Sariputta, while visiting the sick, saw him and gave him an exercise on contemplation of feeling. Practising this, Samitigutta developed insight and became an arahant. Then he remembered his past action and uttered a verse (Thag.vs.81).

In the past he was a householder and offered jasmine flowers to Vipassi Buddha. In another birth he saw a Pacceka Buddha and insulted him, calling him a leprous starveling and spitting in his presence. For this he suffered long in hell, and was reborn on earth in the time of Kassapa Buddha. He became a Paribbajaka, and, losing his temper with a follower of the Buddha, cursed him May you become a leper. He also soiled the bath powders placed by people at bathing places; hence his affliction in the present age (ThagA.i.175 f).

He is evidently identical with Jatipujaka of the Apadana. Ap.i.154.

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)

Full-text: Suparicariya, Jatipujaka.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Samitigutta; (plurals include: Samitiguttas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Life of Sariputta (by Nyanaponika Thera)

The Helper < [Part II - Maturity Of Insight]

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