Tag Archives: The Bodhisatta As Dhammapala

268. The Bodhisatta As Dhammapala

Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was King of Benares there was in the kingdom of kasi a village named Dhammapala, and it took that name because the family of one Dhammapala lived there. From his keeping the Ten Paths of Virtue this Brahmin was know where he dwelt as Dhammpala, or the Lawkeeper. He gave alms, and observed virtue, and kept the holy day.

At that time the Bodhisatta came to life in that household, and to him they gave the name of Dhammapala-Kumara, or Lawkeeper the Younger. So soon as he came of age, his father gave him a thousand pieces, and sent him to study at Takkasila. There he went, and studied with a world famed teacher, and became the chief pupil in a company of five hundred youths.