Brahmadatta untranslated

Brahmadatta 01. King of Kāsi. He captured Kosala and murdered its king Dīghīti and Dīghīti’s wife, but made peace later with Dīghīti’s son, Dīghāvu, restored to him his father’s kingdom, and gave him his own daughter in marriage. Vin.i.342ff.; Dhp­a.i.56f.

Brahmadatta 02. King of the Assakas and friend of Reṇu. When Mahā Govinda divided Jambudīpa into seven equal portions for Reṇu and his six friends, Brahmadatta was given the kingdom, of the Assakas, with Potana as his capital. DN.ii.235f.

Brahmadatta 03. In the Jātaka Commentary this is given as the name of numerous kings of Benares. In most cases we are told nothing further of them than that they reigned at Benares at the time of the incidents related in the story. Brahmadatta, was probably the dynastic name of the kings of Benares. Thus, for instance, in the Gaṅgamālajātaka (Ja 421, Ja.iii.452) Udaya, king of Benares, is addressed as Brahmadatta.

In the Gaṇḍatindujātaka (Ja 520, Ja.v.102-106) however, Pañcāla, king of Uttarapañcāla, is also called Brahmadatta; in this case it was evidently his personal name. It was also the name of the husband of Piṅgiyāni (q.v.). He was a king, but we are not told of what country. He is identified (Ja.v.444) with Kuṇāla.

Brahmadatta 04. Brahmadatta Thera. He was the son of the king of Kosala, and, having witnessed the Buddha’s majesty at the consecration of Jetavana, he entered the Saṅgha and in due course became an Arahant. One day, while going for alms, he was abused by a Brahmin, but kept silence. Again and again the Brahmin abused him, and the people marvelled at the patience of Brahmadatta, who then preached to them on the wisdom of not returning abuse for abuse. The Brahmin was much moved and entered the Saṅgha under Brahmadatta. Thag. vs. 441-6; Thag­a.i.460ff.

Brahmadatta 05. Head of a dynasty of thirty-six kings, all of whom ruled at Hatthipura. His ancestors ruled at Kapilanagara. Mhv­ṭ. 127; Dpv.iii.18.

Brahmadatta 06. A Pacceka Buddha. In the time of Kassapa Buddha he had been a monk and had lived in the forest for twenty thousand years. He was then born as the son of the king of Benares. When his father died he became king, ruling over twenty thousand cities with Benares as the capital, but, wishing for quiet, he retired into solitude in the palace.

His wife tired of him and committed adultery with a minister who was banished on the discovery of his offence. He then took service under another king and persuaded him to attack Brahmadatta. Brahmadatta’s minister, much against his will, and having promised not to take life, made a sudden attack on the enemy and drove them away. Brahmadatta, seated on the field of battle, developed thoughts of mettā and became a Pacceka Buddha. Snp­a.i.58ff.

Brahmadatta 07. A Brahmin, father of Kassapa Buddha. Ja.i.43; Bv.xxv.34.

Brahmadatta 08. Pupil of the Paribbājaka Suppiya. A conversation between these two led to the preaching of the Brahmajālasutta. DN.i.1.

Brahmadatta 09. A monk, sometimes credited with having supplied the illustrations to the aphorisms in Kaccāyana’s grammar. PLC. 180.

Brahmadatta 10. See also Ekaputtika Brahmadatta, Cātumāsika Brahmadatta, Cūḷanī Brahmadatta, and Sāgara Brahmadatta; and s.v. Brahmadattakumāra.