Scripture/Theravāda — Pali Canon/Khuddaka Nikāya — The Minor Collection

Khuddaka Nikāya — The Minor Collection – page 14

2,353 texts · page 14 of 24 (texts 1,301–1,400)

Ja 70: The Spade Sage

“The conquest.”—This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about the Elder named Cittahattha-Sariputta. He is said to have been a youth of a good family in Savatthi; and one day, on his way home from ploughing, he turned in to the monastery. Here he received from the bowl of a certain Elder some dainty fare, rich and sweet, which made him think to himself,—“Day and night I am toiling away with my hands at divers tasks, yet never do I taste food so sweet. I must turn Brother myself!” So he joined the Brotherhood, but after six weeks’ zealous application to high thinking, fell under the dominion of Lusts and off he went. His belly again proving too much for him, back he came to join the Brotherhood once more, and studied the Abhidhamma. In this way, six times he left and came back again; but when for the seventh time he became a Brother, he mastered the whole seven books of the Abhidhamma, and by much chanting of the Doctrine of the Brothers won Discernment and attained to Arahatship. Now his friends among the Brethren scoffed at him, saying—“Can it be, sir, that Lusts have ceased to spring up within your heart?”

Tha Ap 70: Ambadāyaka

Vv 70: Almsfood Giver’s Mansion

A deva’s gains were bountiful after giving water to a thirsty monk.

Iti 71: Having Right View

The Buddha reports having seen, for himself, beings reborn in good destinations in line with their right views and good actions.

Ja 71: The Temple Tree

“Learn thou from him.”—This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about the Elder named Tissa the Squire’s Son. Tradition says that one day thirty young gentlemen of Savatthi, who were all friends of one another, took perfumes and flowers and robes, and set out with a large retinue to Jetavana, in order to hear the Master preach. Arrived at Jetavana, they sat awhile in the several enclosures—in the enclosure of the Iron-wood trees, in the enclosure of the Sal-trees, and so forth,—till at evening the Master passed from his fragrant sweet-smelling perfumed chamber to the Hall of Truth and took his seat on the gorgeous Buddha-seat. Then, with their following, these young men went to the Hall of Truth, made an offering of perfumes and flowers, bowed down at his feet—those blessed feet that were glorious as full-blown lotus-flowers, and bore imprinted on the sole the Wheel!—and, taking their seats, listened to the Truth. Then the thought came into their minds, “Let us take the vows, so far as we understand the Truth preached by the Master.” Accordingly, when the Blessed One left the Hall, they approached him and with due obeisance asked to be admitted to the Brotherhood; and the Master admitted them to the Brotherhood. Winning the favour of their teachers and directors they received full Brotherhood, and after five years’ residence with their teachers and directors, by which time they had got by heart the two Abstracts, had come to know what was proper and what was improper, had learnt the three modes of expressing thanks, and had stitched and dyed robes. At this stage, wishing to embrace the ascetic life, they obtained the consent of their teachers and directors, and approached the Master. Bowing before him they took their seats, saying, “Sir, we are troubled by the round of existence, dismayed by birth, decay, disease, and death; give us a theme, by thinking on which we may get free from the elements which occasion existence.” The Master turned over in his mind the eight and thirty themes of thought, and therefrom selected a suitable one, which he expounded to them. And then, after getting their theme from the Master, they bowed and with a ceremonious farewell passed from his presence to their cells, and after gazing on their teachers and directors went forth with bowl and robe to embrace the ascetic life.

Tha Ap 71: Sumana

Vv 71: Barley-Warden’s Mansion

A human who guarded a barley field explains how he became a deva.

Iti 72: Elements of Escape

Three properties for escape: from sensuality, from form, and from whatever is fabricated and dependently co-arisen.

Ja 72: The Virtuous Elephant King

“Ingratitude lacks more.”—This story was told by the Master while at the Bamboo-grove about Devadatta. The Brethren sat in the Hall of Truth, saying, “Sirs, Devadatta is an ingrate and does not recognise the virtues of the Blessed One.” Returning to the Hall, the Master asked what topic they were discussing, and was told. “This is not the first time, Brethren,” said he, “that Devadatta has proved an ingrate; he was just the same in bygone days also, and he has never known my virtues.” And so saying, at their request he told this story of the past.

Tha Ap 72: Pupphacaṅgoṭiya

Vv 72: Deity With Decorated Hair Mansion

Having confidence and offering food and drinks to Arahants results in many benefits.

Iti 73: More Peaceful

Formless phenomena are more peaceful than forms; cessation, more peaceful than formless phenomena.

Ja 73: It Seems They Knew the Truth

“They knew the world.”—This story was told by the Master while at the Bamboo-grove, about going about to kill. For, seated in the Hall of Truth, the Brotherhood was talking of Devadatta’s wickedness, saying, “Sirs, Devadatta has no knowledge of the Master’s excellence; he actually goes about to kill him!” Here the Master entered the Hall and asked what they were discussing. 323] Being told, he said, “This is not the first time, Brethren, that Devadatta has gone about to kill me; he did just the same in bygone days also.” And so saying, he told this story of the past.

Tha Ap 73: Nāgasamāla

Vv 73: Second Deity With Decorated Hair Mansion

A deva explains the fruit of offering food and drink to Arahants.

Iti 74: A Child

Three types of sons and daughters (when compared to their parents): of heightened birth, of similar birth, and of lowered birth.

Ja 74: The Lesson of the Tree

“United, forest-like.”—This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about a quarrel concerning water which had brought woe upon his kinsfolk. Knowing of this, he passed through the air, sat cross-legged above the river Rohini, and emitted rays of darkness, startling his kinsfolk. Then descending from mid-air, he seated himself on the river-bank and told this story with reference to that quarrel. (Only a summary is given here; the full details will be related in the Kunala-jataka.) But on this occasion the Master addressed his kinsfolk, saying, “It is meet, sire, that kinsfolk should dwell together in concord and unity. For, when kinsfolk are at one, enemies find no opportunity. Not to speak of human beings, even sense-lacking trees ought to stand together. For in bygone days in the Himalayas a tempest struck a Sal-forest; yet, because the trees, shrubs, bushes, and creepers of that forest were interlaced one with another, the tempest could not overthrow even a single tree but passed harmlessly over their heads. But alone in a courtyard stood a mighty tree; and though it had many stems and branches, yet, because it was not united with other trees, the tempest uprooted it and laid it low. Wherefore, it is meet that you too should dwell together in concord and unity.” And so saying, at their request he told this story of the past.

Tha Ap 74: Padasaññaka

Vv 74: Uttara’s Mansion

A deva explains the benefits of offering alms to monks.

Iti 75: A Rainless Cloud

Three types of people: one like a cloud without rain, one who rains locally, and one who rains everywhere.

Ja 75: The Fish

“Pajjunna, thunder!”—This story the Master told while at Jetavana, about the rain he caused to fall. For in those days, so it is said, there fell no rain in Kosala; the crops withered; and everywhere the ponds, tanks, and lakes dried up. Even the pool of Jetavana by the embattled gateway of Jetavana gave out; and the fish and tortoises buried themselves in the mud. Then came the crows and hawks with their lance-like beaks, and busily picked them out writhing and wriggling, and devoured them.

Tha Ap 75: Saññaka

Vv 75: The Creeper Mansion

What are the results of taking care of one’s parents and having confidence in monks?

Iti 76: Wishing for Happiness

Aspiring to three forms of bliss, wise people should guard their virtue.

Ja 76: Fearlessness

“The village breeds no fear in me.”—This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about a lay-brother who lived at Savatthi. Tradition says that this man, who had entered the Paths and was an earnest believer, was once journeying along on some business or other in the company of a leader of a caravan; in the jungle the carts were unyoked and a laager was constructed; and the good man began to pace up and down at the foot of a certain tree hard by the leader.

Tha Ap 76: Bhisāluvadāyaka

Vv 76: Nandana Mansion

A deva explains the results of taking care of one’s parents and having confidence in monks.

Dhp 76–89: 6. The Astute

Iti 77: Fragile

This body falls apart; consciousness is subject to fading; all acquisitions are inconstant, sufferingful, subject to change.

Ja 77: The Great Dreams

“Bulls first, and trees.”—This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana about sixteen wonderful dreams. For in the last watch of one night (so tradition says) the King of Kosala, who had been asleep all the night, dreamed sixteen great dreams, and woke up in great fright and alarm as to what they might portend for him. So strong was the fear of death upon him that he could not stir, but lay there huddled up on his bed. Now, when the night grew light, his brahmins and chaplains came to him and with due obeisance asked whether his majesty had slept well.

Tha Ap 77: Ekasaññaka

Vv 77: Mansion with Pillars of Gems

A deva explains his offerings and the fruits of his labor.

Iti 78: Converging Elements

Like attracts like. It’s in accordance with their properties—either low or admirable—that beings come together and associate with one another.

Ja 78: The Two Illisas

“Both squint.”—This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about a miserly Lord High Treasurer. Hard by the city of Rajagaha, as we are told, was a town named Jagghery, and here dwelt a certain Lord High Treasurer, known as the Millionaire Miser, who was worth eighty crores! Not so much as the tiniest drop of oil that a blade of grass will take up, did he either give away or consume for his own enjoyment. So he made no use of all his wealth either for his family or for sages and brahmins: it remained unenjoyed,—like a pool haunted by demons. Now, it fell out on a day that the Master arose at dawn moved with a great compassion, and as he reviewed those ripe for conversion throughout the universe, he became aware that this Treasurer with his wife some four hundred miles away were destined to tread the Paths of Salvation.

Tha Ap 78: Tiṇasanthāradāyaka

Vv 78: Golden Mansion

What are the results of building a monastery and offering it to the Supreme Buddha?

Iti 79: Decline

Three things lead to the falling away of a monk in training.

Ja 79: A Harsh Drum

“He gave the robbers time.”—This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about a certain Minister. He, ’Tis said, ingratiated himself with the king, and, after collecting the royal revenue in a border-village, privily arranged with a band of robbers that he would march the men off into the jungle, leaving the village for the rascals to plunder,—on condition that they gave him half the booty.

Tha Ap 79: Sūcidāyaka

Vv 79: Mango Mansion

A deva explains his encounter with Arahant Sāriputta and the meritorious actions he did to achieve happiness.

Iti 80: Thoughts

Three kinds of unskillful thinking.

Ja 80: Bhimasena Jātaka

“You vaunted your prowess.”—This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about a certain braggart among the Brethren. Tradition says that he used to gather round him Brethren of all ages, and go about deluding everyone with lying boasts about his noble descent. “Ah, Brethren,” he would say, “there’s no family so noble as mine, no lineage so peerless. I am a scion of the highest of princely lines; no man is my equal in birth or ancestral estate; there is absolutely no end to the gold and silver and other treasures we possess. Our very slaves and menials are fed on rice and meat-stews, and are clad in the best Benares cloth, with the choicest Benares perfumes to perfume themselves withal; whilst I, because I have joined the Brotherhood, [3561 have to content myself with this vile fare and this vile garb.”

Tha Ap 80: Pāṭalipupphiya

Vv 80: Cow Herder’s Mansion

A deva explains how the compassion of Arahant Moggallana gave him much happiness.

Iti 81: Esteem

The dangers of letting your mind be overcome by the fact that you either receive offerings or don’t receive offerings.

Ja 81: Surapana Jātaka

“We drank.”—This story was cold by the Master about the Elder Sagata, while he was dwelling in the Ghosita-park near Kosambi.

Tha Ap 81: Ṭhitañjaliya

Vv 81: Kanthaka’s Mansion

What happened to, Kanthaka, the horse, who carried Prince Siddhartha on the day he left his home?

Iti 82: The Cry of the Gods

Three occasions on which devas give voice to joy over the behavior of human beings.

Ja 82: Mittavinda Jātaka

“No more to dwell.”—This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about a self-willed Brother. The incidents of this Birth, which took place in the days of the Buddha Kassapa, will be related in the Tenth Book in the Maha-Mittavindaka Jataka.

Tha Ap 82: Tīṇipadumiya

Vv 82: Mansion of Many Colors

A deva explains how worshiping the relics of a Buddha can bring much happiness.

Iti 83: Five Warning Signs

Five omens that appear when a deva is about to pass away, and the encouragement that other devas give at that time.

Ja 83: Kalakanni Jātaka

“A friend is he.”—This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about a friend of Anatha-pindika’s. Tradition says that the two had made mud-pies together, and had gone to the same school; but, as years went by, the friend, whose name was ‘Curse,’ sank into great distress and could not make a living anyhow. So he came to the rich man, who was kind to him, and paid him to look after all his property; and the poor friend was employed under Anatha-pindika and did all his business for him. After he had gone up to the rich man’s It was a common thing to hear in the house—“Stand up, Curse,” or “Sit down, Curse,” or “Have your dinner, Curse.”

Tha Ap 83: Timirapupphiya

Vv 83: Maṭṭhakuṇḍalī’s Mansion

A deva shows a grieving father the way to end his sorrow through Dhamma.

Iti 84: For the Welfare of the People

Three people who appear for the benefit of the world.

Ja 84: Atthassadvara Jātaka

“Seek health.”—This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about a boy who was sage in matters relating to spiritual welfare. When he was only seven years old, the boy, who was the son of a very wealthy Treasurer, manifested great intelligence and anxiety for his spiritual welfare; and one day came to his father to ask what were the Paths leading to spiritual welfare.

Tha Ap 84: Gatasaññaka

Vv 84: Serīsaka’s Mansion

A deva named Serissaka explains how he came to enjoy a comfortable life and what we can do to achieve the same.

Iti 85: Observing Ugliness

The rewards of focusing on the foulness of the body, of establishing mindfulness of breathing to the fore, and of focusing on the inconstancy of all conditions.

Ja 85: Kimpakka Jātaka

“As they who ate.”—This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about a concupiscent Brother. Tradition says there was a scion of a good family who gave his heart to the Buddha’s doctrine and joined the Brotherhood. But one day as he was going his round for alms in Savatthi, he was there stirred to concupiscence by the sight of a beautifully dressed woman.