I’d be grateful for some insights and reflections and verification on the following: I recently heard that Ashoka’s past life was as a poor man who offered the Buddha sand in his alms bowl and was then reborn as King Ashoka roughly 150 yrs after Buddha’s parinirvana. Ashokavadana I heard is an historic narrative based on karma and rebirth for King Ashoka and that when Ashoka then meet monastic Upagupta who told him about their past life recollection he is said to have stated" “I was rewarded with kingship simply because of a gift of dirt!” etc… thank you
That’s interesting. It shows the power of good deeds.
1 Like
Hi Asoka,
I am writing a book on Asoka and did considerable research on this. You were right to query it.
The sand story is generally accepted as coming from the northern Sanskrit Sarvastivada / Mulasarvastivada. There is no such idea in the Theravada account: think how foolish it would be to offer someone sand to eat.
The Mahavamsa, a genuine Theravada text, says that in a previous life Asoka was a honey merchant who gave honey to a paccekabuddha and aspired to rule over Jambudipa.
2 Likes
Thank you - I chose to post that one
Yet had also heard of the honey merchant past life
Thank you
As for the sand : yes indeed - however many time are there symbols used tather than actual sand or dirt - anyway - thank you for the verification
Appreciated
1 Like
yes I see the point. Like a toddler who might give her mother a pretend cookie, as part of play and with kindness. However, for an adult?
I think giving earth could be a good gift if given with the intention to help someone practice the Earth Kasina
This is interesting. I wonder if rich and famous people in the modern world like Elon Musk, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo also have a similar backstory. Maybe they offered something or performed service for a Paccekabuddha or an Ascetic with Jhana in one of their past lives and that could be why they achieved their current state. I don’t think being the best at something (like being the richest or best at a sport) could be the result of an an ordinary good deed. I think they definitely did a special act of merit for a special person or observed special vows like King Sakka when he was a human.
if they did - they havent learned much as greed seems to be their lifestyle..