Ja 175 The Birth Story about Worshipping the Sun (2s)

Ja 175 Ādiccupaṭṭhānajātaka
The Birth Story about Worshipping the Sun (2s)

In the present there is a rogue; we are told no more about him. The Buddha tells a story of a monkey who dressed himself up as an ascetic in order to receive alms, but who was chased off with sticks and clods.

The Bodhisatta = the teacher of a group (gaṇasatthā),
the Buddha’s disciples = the seer’s group (isigaṇa),
the cheating monk = the monkey (makkaṭa).

Present Source: Ja 487 Uddāla,
Quoted at: Ja 89 Kuhaka, Ja 138 Godha, Ja 173 Makkaṭa, Ja 175 Ādiccupaṭṭhāna, Ja 336 Brahāchatta, Ja 377 Setaketu.

Keywords: Deceit, Animals.

“There is no tribe.” [2.50] This is a story told by the Teacher in Jetavana, about a rogue. [I include the standard story here, which comes from Ja 487 Uddālajātaka.]

This story the Teacher told, while dwelling in Jetavana, about a dishonest monk. This man, even though dedicated to the dispensation that leads to safety, notwithstanding to gain life’s necessaries fulfilled the threefold cheating practice [seeking requisites, seeking honour and hinting].

The monks brought to light all the evil parts in the man as they conversed together in the Dhamma Hall, “Such a one, monks, after he had dedicated himself to this dispensation which leads to safety, yet lives in deceit!” The Teacher came in, and would know what they talked of there. They told him. Said he, “This is not now the first time; he was deceitful before,” and so saying he told a story of the past.

In the past, when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born in a brahmin family of Kāsi. Coming of years, he went to Taxila, and there completed his education. Then he embraced the ascetic life, cultivated the Super Knowledges and Attainments, and becoming the preceptor of a large band of pupils he spent his life in the Himālayas.

There for a long time he abode; until once in need of salt and seasoning, he came down from the highlands to a border village, where he stayed in a leaf-hut. When they were absent seeking alms, a mischievous monkey used to enter the hermitage, and turn everything upside down, spill the water out of the jars, smash the jugs, and finish by making a mess in the cell where the fire was.

The rains over, the ascetics thought of returning, and took leave of the villagers, “For now,” they thought, “the flowers and fruit are ripening on the mountains.” “Tomorrow,” was the answer, “we will come to your dwelling with our alms; you shall eat before you go.” So next day they brought there plenty of food, solid and liquid. The monkey thought to himself, “I’ll trick these people and cajole them into giving me some food too.” So he put on the air of a holy man seeking alms, {2.73} and close by the ascetics he stood, worshipping the sun. When the people saw him, they thought: “Holy are they who live with the holy,” and repeated the first verse:

It seems that amongst all the creatures there are those endowed with virtue, see this contemptible monkey, who is worshipping the sun-god!

In this connection, there are those endowed with virtue, there are found those endowed with virtue, there are found the virtuous and composed and concentrated, this is also the meaning.

Contemptible means inferior.

Who is worshipping the sun-god means continually paying respects to the sun-god.

After this fashion the people praised our monkey’s virtues. But the Bodhisatta, observing it, replied, “You don’t know the ways of a mischievous monkey, or you would not praise one who little deserves praise,” adding the second verse:

2. Nāssa sīlaṁ vijānātha, anaññāya pasaṁsatha,
Aggihuttañ-ca uhannaṁ, dve ca bhinnā kamaṇḍalū ti.

You do not understand his character, unknowing, you praise him, he defecated on the fire offering, and broke the waterpots in two. [2.51]

In this connection, unknowing means without knowing. These are two negative absolutive forms from the same root.

He defecated means having this wicked monkey nature, he defecated.

Waterpots. “And because of that he broke the waterpots in two,” he spoke of his lack of virtue.

When the people heard what a rascally monkey it was, seizing sticks and clods they pelted him, and gave their alms to the monks. The sages returned to the Himālayas; and without once interrupting their Absorption they came at last to Brahma’s Realm.

At the end of this discourse, the Teacher identified the Jātaka, “This deceitful person was in those days the monkey; the Buddha’s followers were the company of sages; and their leader was I myself.”