Khuddaka Nikaya - Buddhavamsa - The Story of Hatthakalavaka of Uposatha Habit

Khuddaka Nikaya - Buddhavamsa - The Story of Hatthakalavaka of Uposatha Habit

The Great Chronicle of The Buddhas
by Mingun Sayadaw

Edited and Translated by
U Ko Lay and U Tin Lwin
Yangon, Myanmar

(a) The past aspiration of the Uposatha-habituate

The Future-Hatthakalavaka was born into a worthy family in the City of Hamsavati during the time of Padumuttara Buddha. On one occasion when he was listening to the Buddha's sermon he saw a lay disciple being designated the foremost among those lay disciples who were accomplished in the practice of the four ways of kind treatment to others*. He emulated that man, and making an extraordinary offering, he aspired to that title. The Buddha prophesied that his aspiration would be fulfilled.

(b) The last existence as Prince Alavaka.

That worthy man fared in the good destinations for the entire one hundred thousand world-cycles. During the time of Gotama Buddha he was born as Prince Alavaka, son of King Alavaka in the city of Alavi.

(In this connection, the background events beginning with the sporting expedition of King Alavaka, to the establishment in the Uposatha precepts of Prince Alavaka, his attainment of Anagami phala, and his following of five hundred lay disciples established in the Uposatha precept, have been described fully in The Great Chronicle, Volume Four. The reader is advised to refer to the relevant pages therein.)

(c) Hatthakalavaka being designated as the Foremost lay disciples.

One day Hatthakalavaka the Uposatha- habituate visited the Bhagava accompanied by five hundred lay disciples. After making obeisance to the Bhagava he sat in a suitable place. When the Bhagava saw the big following of very sedate manners that came with Hatthakalavaka, he said, "Alavaka, you have a big following; what sort of kind treatment do you extend to them?" And Hatthakalavaka replied,

"Venerable Sir,

(1) I practise charity towards those persons who would be delighted by my act of charity.

(2) I use pleasant words to those who would be delighted by pleasant words,

(3) I give necessary assistance to those who are in need of such assistance and who would be delighted by my assistance,

(4)And I treat those as my equals in respect of those who would be delighted by such treatment.

With reference to that conversation between the Bhagava and Hatthakalavaka, on another occasion, during the Bhagava's residence at the Jetavana monastery, when he was conferring titles to outstanding lay disciples, he declared:

"Bhikkhus, among my lay disciples who kindly treat their followers in four ways, Hatthakalavaka is the foremost."

(Here ends the story of Hatthakalavaka the Uposatha-Habituate.)

(Here ends the story of Hatthakalavaka)

* Four ways of kind treatment to others: Sangaha - Vatthu: Liberality, kindly speech, beneficial actions, impartiality (A. IV, 32: VIII 24).