Regarding a certain disciple of the Buddha
Regarding a certain disciple of the Buddha
So, I vaguely heard about this story from a monk at my University recently. It was about one of Buddha's disciples who was fond of showing off his spiritual attainments to the laity. He would often fly around laymen and laywomen and make them gasp in awe at his powers. The Buddha who later found out, told him that he would not be able to achieve liberation for a certain amount of time for violating one of the major precepts in the Vinaya which prohibits showing off ones spiritual penetrations. Till this very day, there is a celebration in his honor where monasteries would offer up food and flowers to this monk. So, does this story ring a bell to anyone? What was this monks name and what are the details in regards to this story?
Re: Regarding a certain disciple of the Buddha
The disciple's name was Pindola. The story foes like this. A wealthy man put a clay bowl on a tall pole, saying anyone who could take the bowl down could have it. Pindola levitated to the top of the pole and took the bowl in order to increase the fame and reputation of the Buddha and his sangha. When he showed the bowl to the Buddha, he broke the bowl into pieces and made a Vinaya rule forbidding the demonstration of psychic powers to lay persons.
According to tradition Pindola is one of the 16 arhats who pledged to protect the dharma after Buddha's death.
According to tradition Pindola is one of the 16 arhats who pledged to protect the dharma after Buddha's death.
"It's as plain as the nose on your face!" Dottie Primrose
Re: Regarding a certain disciple of the Buddha
Oh, thank you so much!