Category Archives: INDIA
85. The Bodhisatta – As King Of Gandhara
Once upon a time the Bodhisatta was the king’s son of the Gandhara kingdom; at his father’s death he became king and ruled with righteousness. In the Central Region, in the kingdom of Videha a king named Videha was ruling at the time. These two kings had never seen each other, but they were friends and had great trust the one in the other. At that time men are long–lived; their life was for thirty thousand years. Then once, on the fast day of the full moon, the king of Gandhara had taken the vow of the commands, and on the dais in the middle of a royal throne prepared for him, looking through an open window on the eastern quarter, he sat giving to his ministers a discourse on the substance of the law. At that moment Rahu was covering the moon’s orb which was full and spreading over the sky. The moon’s light vanished. The ministers, not seeing the moon’s brightness, told the king that the moon was seized by Rahu.
84. The Bodhisatta – As Elephant Trainer
Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born as an elephant trainer’s son. When he grew up, he was carefully taught all that pertains to the training of elephants. He was in the service of a king who was an enemy to the king of Benares. He trained this king’s royal elephant to perfection.
83. The Bodhisatta – As Dwarf Brahmin
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born a Brahmin, somewhat of a crooked little dwarf. When he was grown up he studied under a teacher of world wide fame at Takkasila. There he learnt the Three Vedas and the Eighteen Branches of knowledge, and completed his education. And he became known as the sage Little Bowman.
82. The Bodhisatta – As Atthisena
Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born in a brahmin household in a certain village, and they called his name young Atthisena. When he grew up, he learned all the arts at Takkasila, and afterwards seeing the misery of desires he took the religious life, and reaching the higher Faculties and Attainments, he dwelt long in the Himalayas; then coming down among men to get salt and vinegar, he reached Benares, and after staying in a garden he came begging next day to the king’s court.
