Summary: Jambuka is the ascetic-turned-bhikkhu of the Dhammapada-aṭṭhakathā tradition who practised extreme austerities (nakedness, eating only dung, standing on one leg) for 55 years and attracted a popular reputation for holiness on that basis. Approached by the Buddha in his old age, he is led to recognise the fruitlessness of his practice, accepts the Dhamma, and swiftly attains arahantship. The Dhp-a occasions Dhp 70 (even if the fool eats only a blade of kusa-grass' worth a month, he is not worth a sixteenth of those who have understood the teaching) with this narrative. The canonical suttas do not name him; the story is commentarial. (commentary — not canonical)
Related pages
- dhammapada 05 balavagga — Dhp 70 vatthu
- kamma action and fruit — his story illustrates past kamma ripening into false reputation
- tapa — ascetic practice, which Jambuka misapplied (pending)