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Dhammasoṇḍa

The Bodhisatta born as king of Bārāṇasī. He was so called because, at the time of his birth, all beings were filled with a desire for righteousness. The religion of Kassapa Buddha had disappeared, and Dhammasoṇḍa was unable to get anyone to teach the Dhamma to him. He therefore left the kingdom and entered the forest. By his virtue Sakka’s throne was heated, and Sakka, coming down as a Rakkhasa, agreed to teach Dhammasoṇḍa if he would allow himself to be eaten. Dhammasoṇḍa consented, and, climbing a rock three quarters of a league high, threw himself into the Rakkhasa’s mouth, listening to his teaching as he fell. Sakka then revealed his identity, took him to the deva-world and taught him a stanza on impermanence, which had been spoken by Kassapa. Ras.i.2 f; the story is very popular in Sri Lanka.