3

Where does the story appear about a monk who was born in a lower realm for breaking a leaf of a tree?

Also there are some related stories (use generally alongside the above) where small transgressions leading to disproportionately large karmic results. What are they and where can I find references?

Improve this question
2
  • Sankha told that story in this answer but without a reference.
    – ChrisW ♦
    Jan 15, 2017 at 16:43
  • 1
    This is a popular story in many Dhamma talks. I am trying to trace the source either in the Tipitaka or Commentaries.
    – Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
    Jan 15, 2017 at 16:49

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

It's in the commentary to verse 182 of the Dhammapada:

On seeing the Buddha, Erakapatta related to the Buddha how he had been a bhikkhu during the time of Kassapa Buddha, how he had accidentally caused a grass blade to be broken off while travelling in a boat, and how he had worried over that little offence for having failed to do the act of exoneration as prescribed, and finally how he was reborn as a naga.

Improve this answer
3
  • What does it mean by "Having failed to do the act of exoneration as prescribed"?
    – NuWin
    Jan 16, 2017 at 4:51
  • 1
    Monks have (many) monastic rules: page 272 of this document says, "The damaging of a living plant is to be confessed". So if a monk damages a living plant, they should "confess" that, i.e. tell another monk or tell the whole community of monks that they did that, described on page 161: "This confession is what clears him of the offense". So this act of the confession is what's meant by the "prescribed act of exoneration".
    – ChrisW ♦
    Jan 17, 2017 at 16:46
  • ah I see now. Thanks for taking the time to explain this.
    – NuWin
    Jan 17, 2017 at 20:09

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .