Sīlavīmaṁsanajātaka draft

Sīlavīmaṁsanajātaka 01. (Ja 86). The Bodhisatta was chaplain to the king of Benares and wished to test the respective powers of virtue and learning (as given above in the Sīlavīmaṁsajātaka (Ja 330). When being led before the king, he saw snake-charmers exhibiting their snake and warned them lest it should bite them. “He is not like you,” they replied, “for he is good.” The king ordered the chaplain to be executed; but, on hearing of his intentions, he allowed him to become an ascetic.

The story was related in reference to a learned and pious Brahmin, in the service of the king of Kosala, who carried out a similar test. Then he joined the Saṅgha and became an Arahant. Ja.i.369-71.

Sīlavīmaṁsanajātaka 02. (Ja 290). Very similar to No. 1 above.

Sīlavīmaṁsanajātaka 03. (Ja 305). The Bodhisatta was once a Brahmin, head of five hundred students under one teacher. The teacher, wishing to test them, told them that he wished to give his daughter in marriage, and asked them to steal things for her ornaments and clothes without letting anyone know. They all did this except the Bodhisatta, who brought nothing. When asked the reason for this behaviour, he said: “You accept nothing unless brought in secrecy; but in wrong-doing there is no secrecy.” The teacher then explained his intention, and, very pleased with the Bodhisatta, gave him his daughter in marriage. The names of six pupils who stole were: Dujjacca, Ajacca, Nanda, Sukhavacchana, Vajjha and Addhuvasīla.

The story was related, late at night, to a company of monks who went about discussing the pleasures of the senses. The Buddha asked Ānanda to collect them and preached to them. At the end of the sermon they became Sotāpannas. Sāriputta is identified with the teacher. Ja.iii.18-20.