A View on Buddhism

[pohtiongho]

According to Buddhist history, two young acrobats, both aged about twenty, were husband and wife, became arahants while they were performaning somersaults, each on top of a bamboo pole standing vertically from the ground. The Buddha was there and He admitted them as monks on the spot, when the performance was over, because arahants would leave this world within seven days unless they join the monkhood.

Please tell me the names of the two acrobats, and whether the location where the story took place was Rajaghaha

[Mitch White]

Pohtiongho:

Hay do I get a certificate for this?

First there are several versions of this story in what is now usually called “The Dhammapada Stories” I am not sure anyone really see’s them as history , more along the line of Buddhist folk tales or parables.

I have seen the primary story translated as:

“Uggasena the treasurer’s son.” Or just, “The Story of Uggasena”.


The story is a bit more developed than just having the Buddha wander by and make them arhats. But in the end the basic theme of this story is rebirth and fruits of past deeds, as Buddha explains his actions by explaining that these two people were together in a past life in the time of another Buddha, Kassapa, and his making Uggasena and his wife arhats was connected to their good deeds in a past life..

I know of no version that gives the wife’s name.

And yes this was set in Rajaghaha were the acrobats were to perform.


There is another well known story of a male and female acrobat found in the Sedaka Sutta:

– It is a story called the “The Bamboo Acrobat” also called “The Discourse at Sedaka” or [Truly guarding self and guarding others]
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– This story’s theme is mindfulness and how we should look after not only ourselves but each other. In it the master acrobat ( the man) has no name but the female assistant is named Medakathalika. Which I think means “frying pan” in pali


_________________
"Investigate Right Where You're Standing"
Master Chu-hung

[pohtiongho]

Dear Sir, your certificate has been offered. You will see it when you become an arahant. There was no one to sign the cert as merits crop up naturally whenever good deeds are done. Thanks for spending the time to give the answers. I do not think it was fairy tale. He knew where and when there were people who needed His help. His presence at the performance, which I heard was at night, could be because that performance was done for him, or else He went there personally as the two acrobats needed Him.

[Mitch White]

As in all things, I never worry about what is real in a world of delusions:


But in the long version of the story (there are at least 2 versions) the Buddha had entered the city as Uggasena was doing his act, and the crowds left the acrobats to see the Buddha. The Buddha was aware that this was causing Uggasena problems which would prevent his development, having worked so hard on this act and then no one was seeing it and sent an elder arhat named moggallana to summon Uggasena to perform for him, when uggasena came and preformed the Buddha taught (helped) him. And told him to come down as a monk.. his wife it is said was soon to follow..






_________________
"Investigate Right Where You're Standing"
Master Chu-hung

[pohtiongho]

Thanks for the elaboration on the topic.

[Mitch White]

you are very welcome, and please don't let my poor attempt at a joke put you off if there is anything I or any of us here can elp with please feel free to ask.


_________________
"Investigate Right Where You're Standing"
Master Chu-hung

[pohtiongho]

I heard that an ascetic (not a Buddhist) was travelling from one location in India to another location. Before he reached his destination, it was getting dark. He came to a cave ( some say it was a rest house ) to put up for the night. Later on, the Buddha also went to that cave to spend the night. They did not know one another. The Buddha asked the ascetic regarding the ascetic's teacher. If my memory does not fail me, that ascetic said he did not have a teacher, and he was going to look for the Buddha. The Buddha talked Dhamma to the ascetic and immediately that ascetic realized that was the Buddha Himself. He kowtowed the Buddha immediately and asked for permission to be admitted as a Buddhist monk.
The Buddha agreed, and the ascetic left the place looking for a robe and a bowl. Before he found the bowl and the robe, a bull charged at him killing him on the spot. The Buddha confirmed that ascetic attained Arahanthood.

Please tell me the name of that ascetic, the name of that place in India, the topic the Buddha taught him during that night.

[Mitch White]

sorry just have no idea on this one, do you have any more information on this?
_________________
"Investigate Right Where You're Standing"
Master Chu-hung