A

B

C

D

E

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

U

V

Y

?

Home page Up (parent) Next (right) Previous (left) Abbreviations


Page last updated on 8 October, 2020

Association for Insight Meditation Home Page

Kumbhakāra Jātaka (No.408)

The Bodhisatta was a potter in Bārāṇasī, and four Pacceka Buddhas — Karaṇḍaka, Naggaji, Nimi and Dummukha — came to his house from Nandamūlapabbhāra. He welcomed them and asked them the stories of their renunciation. Having heard them, both he and his wife wished to leave the world, but his wife, deceiving him, went before him, leaving him to look after their son and daughter. When the children were old enough he, too, became an ascetic, and though he met his wife later he refused to have anything to do with her.

The son was Rāhula and the daughter Uppalavaṇṇā, the wife being Rāhulamātā.

The story was related to five hundred monks who had lustful thoughts at midnight. The Buddha read their thoughts and visited them with Ānanda (J.iii.375 ff). See also the Pānīya Jātaka.