25.9 The Story about the Elder Santakāya

Dhp 378

Burlingame: The Monk Whose Mother Was a Lioness

Elder Santakāya was said to have been born from the womb of a lioness, and lions are renowned for the dignity of their bearing; the bhikkhus praised him in front of the Buddha for being so calm and composed; the Buddha affirmed that this is just as a monastic should be with a verse.

Keywords: Animals, Similes

“Calm in body,” this Dhamma teaching was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Jetavana with reference to Elder Santakāya (Calm in Body).

It is said of this bhikkhu that he was never guilty of any improper movement of hand or foot. He never yawned or stretched out his [30.260] arms and legs, but always carried himself with composure and dignity. It seems that this elder issued from the womb of a lioness.

It is said of lionesses that if on any day they find prey, they enter one or another of the caves of silver, gold, jewels, and coral, and lie for the space of seven days on beds composed of the powder of red arsenic and yellow orpiment, on the seventh day they arise and survey the beds where they have lain, and if they notice that by reason of the movement of their tails or ears or forefeet or hindfeet, the powder of red arsenic and yellow orpiment has been scattered about, they say to themselves: “This does not become your birth or lineage,” and lie down again and fast for seven days more. Then, provided the powder has not been scattered about, they say to themselves: {4.114} “This becomes your birth and lineage,” come forth from their lairs, yawn and stretch themselves, take a view of the cardinal points, roar the lion’s roar three times, and go forth in search of prey. From the womb of such a lioness as this did this bhikkhu issue forth.

The composure and dignity of this bhikkhu attracted the attention of the other bhikkhus, and they said to the Teacher: “Venerable Sir, we have never seen such a bhikkhu as Elder Santakāya, for when he assumes a sitting posture, he never moves his hands; he never moves his feet; he never yawns, or stretches out his arms and legs.”

When the Teacher heard this, he said: “Bhikkhus, he that is a bhikkhu should be, like Elder Santakāya, composed in action, speech, and thought.” So saying, he pronounced the following verse:

378. Santakāyo santavāco, santavā susamāhito,
vantalokāmiso bhikkhu upasanto ti vuccati.

Calm in body and calm in speech,
having calmness and composure,
having thrown off worldly gain
the bhikkhu is said to be one at peace.

At the end of the teaching that elder was established in Arahatship, and those who had assembled also had benefit from the Dhamma teaching.