Tag Archives: The Bodhisatta And The Monkey Ascetic

197. The Bodhisatta And The Monkey Ascetic

Once upon a time, in the reign of Brahmadatta king of Benares, the Bodhisatta was born in a Brahmin family. When he grew up, and his own son was of an age to run about, his wife died; he took the child on his hip, and departed into the Himalayas, where he became an ascetic, and brought up his son to the same life, living in a hut of leaves.

It was the rainy season, and rain poured heavily. A Monkey tormented with the cold, chattering and rattling his teeth. The Bodhisatta fetched a great log, lit a fire, and sat down upon his pallet. His son sat by him, and chafed his feet.