Tag Archives: The Bodhisatta As Chaplain

266. The Bodhisatta As Chaplain

Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king in Benares, the Bodhisatta was chaplain, and a wise, learned man was he. One day, he went into his park to disport him, and seeing a beautiful lady, fell in love with her, and took up his abode with her. He got her with child, and when she perceived it she said to him: “Sir, I am with child; when he is born, and I am to name him, I will give him his grandfather’s name.” but he thought, “It can never be that the name of a noble family should be given to a slave-girl’s bastard.” Then he said to her. “My dear, this tree here is called Uddala, and you may name the child Uddalaka because he was conceived here.” Then he gave her a seal-ring, and said, “If it be a girl use this to help bring her up; but if a boy, bring him to me when he grows up.”