Difference between revisions of "Asita"
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[[阿私仙人]] (Skt; Jpn [[Ashi-sennin]]) | [[阿私仙人]] (Skt; Jpn [[Ashi-sennin]]) | ||
| − | (1) A seer mentioned in the "[[Devadatta]]" (twelfth) chapter of the [[Lotus Sutra]] and referred to as a former {{Wiki|incarnation}} of [[Devadatta]]. According to this chapter, when [[Shakyamuni]] was a [[king]] in a past [[existence]], he renounced the [[throne]] to seek the Law. At that [[time]], a seer named [[Asita]] came to the retired [[king]] and said: "I have a great-vehicle text called the [[Sutra | + | (1) A [[seer]] mentioned in the "[[Devadatta]]" (twelfth) [[chapter]] of the [[Lotus Sutra]] and referred to as a former {{Wiki|incarnation}} of [[Devadatta]]. According to this [[chapter]], when [[Shakyamuni]] was a [[king]] in a {{Wiki|past}} [[existence]], he renounced the [[throne]] to seek the Law. At that [[time]], a [[seer]] named [[Asita]] came to the retired [[king]] and said: "I have a [[great-vehicle]] text called the [[Sutra of the Lotus of the Wonderful Law]]. If you will never disobey me, I will expound it for you." Overjoyed, the former [[king]] served the [[seer]], carrying firewood, drawing [[water]], and making a couch of his [[own]] [[Body]] for the [[seer]] to [[sleep]] on. One thousand years passed, and the [[king]] finally received instruction in the [[Lotus Sutra]] from the [[seer]]. |
| − | (2)[ | + | |
| + | In the "[[Devadatta]]" [[chapter]], having related this story, [[Shakyamuni]] identifies the [[king]] with himself, and the [[seer]] with [[Devadatta]]. Moreover, he says that [[Devadatta]] acted as a "[[good friend]]" to him, or one who leads other [[people]] to the correct [[teaching]], and that he was thus able to attain [[Enlightenment]]. He then predicts that [[Devadatta]] will become a [[Buddha]] named [[Heavenly]] [[King]]. | ||
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| + | [[Kumarajiva]]'s {{Wiki|Chinese}} translation of the [[Lotus Sutra]] carries the [[name]] of this [[seer]], but his [[name]] does not appear in the extant versions of the [[Sanskrit]] text. | ||
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| + | (2)[[阿私陀]](Skt, [[Pali]]; Jpn [[Ashida]]): A [[seer]] of [[Kapilavastu]], the {{Wiki|kingdom}} of the [[Shakyas]], in northern [[India]]. According to the [[Causality]] of Past and Present [[Sutra]], when [[Shakyamuni]] was born, his father, [[King]] [[Shuddhodana]], asked [[Asita]] to examine his newborn child's {{Wiki|physiognomy}}. [[Asita]], perceiving in the child the thirty-two {{Wiki|features}} of a great man, foretold that, if the boy remained in the {{Wiki|secular}} [[World]], he would become a [[Wheel]]-turning [[king]] by the age of twenty-nine; but if he renounced {{Wiki|secular}} [[Life]], which was more probable, he would achieve [[supreme]] [[Wisdom]] and become a [[Buddha]]. [[Asita]] lamented that, since he himself was already ninety years old, he would [[die]] before the {{Wiki|prince}} [[attained]] [[Enlightenment]] and therefore be unable to hear The [[Buddha]]'s [[teaching]]. | ||
</poem> | </poem> | ||
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Revision as of 08:35, 21 September 2015
Asita
阿私仙人 (Skt; Jpn Ashi-sennin)
(1) A seer mentioned in the "Devadatta" (twelfth) chapter of the Lotus Sutra and referred to as a former incarnation of Devadatta. According to this chapter, when Shakyamuni was a king in a past existence, he renounced the throne to seek the Law. At that time, a seer named Asita came to the retired king and said: "I have a great-vehicle text called the Sutra of the Lotus of the Wonderful Law. If you will never disobey me, I will expound it for you." Overjoyed, the former king served the seer, carrying firewood, drawing water, and making a couch of his own Body for the seer to sleep on. One thousand years passed, and the king finally received instruction in the Lotus Sutra from the seer.
In the "Devadatta" chapter, having related this story, Shakyamuni identifies the king with himself, and the seer with Devadatta. Moreover, he says that Devadatta acted as a "good friend" to him, or one who leads other people to the correct teaching, and that he was thus able to attain Enlightenment. He then predicts that Devadatta will become a Buddha named Heavenly King.
Kumarajiva's Chinese translation of the Lotus Sutra carries the name of this seer, but his name does not appear in the extant versions of the Sanskrit text.
(2)阿私陀(Skt, Pali; Jpn Ashida): A seer of Kapilavastu, the kingdom of the Shakyas, in northern India. According to the Causality of Past and Present Sutra, when Shakyamuni was born, his father, King Shuddhodana, asked Asita to examine his newborn child's physiognomy. Asita, perceiving in the child the thirty-two features of a great man, foretold that, if the boy remained in the secular World, he would become a Wheel-turning king by the age of twenty-nine; but if he renounced secular Life, which was more probable, he would achieve supreme Wisdom and become a Buddha. Asita lamented that, since he himself was already ninety years old, he would die before the prince attained Enlightenment and therefore be unable to hear The Buddha's teaching.
