No. 12.
NIGRODHA-MIGA JĀTAKA.
The Banyan Deer.
"Follow the Banyan deer," etc. — This the Master told while at Jetavana, about the mother of the Elder named Kumāra Kassapa.[1] She, we are told, was the daughter of a rich merchant of the city of Rājagaha; she was deeply rooted in virtue, and despised all transient things; she had reached her last birth, and in her heart the destiny of future Arahatship shone like a lamp within a translucent pitcher. From the time when she knew her own mind she had no pleasure in a lay life, but was desirous to take the vows. And she said to her parents, —
"Mother, dear! my heart finds no pleasure in household life. I want to take the vows according to that teaching of the Buddha which leads to Nirvāna. Let me be ordained!"
"What is it you are saying, dear? This family is of great wealth, and you are our only daughter. You cannot be allowed to take the vows."
When, after repeated asking, she was unable to obtain her parents' permission, she thought, "Let it be so. When I get to another family, I will make favour with my husband, and take the vows."
And when she grew up, she entered another family as
- ↑ This Introductory Story is given also as the occasion on which v. 160 of the Dhammapada was spoken (Fausböll, pp. 327 and foll.)
