Monks and Acharyas
Ashadhabhuti
आषाढ़भूति · અષાઢાભૂતિ
The monk who became an actor, and the play that brought him home
- 5 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- Best shared with a grown-up
- Shvetambar telling
A gifted young monk uses a magic power to get an extra sweet, and that small trick leads him out of the monastery and onto the stage. Years later, playing the part of a great king, he remembers who he really is.
What it teaches Honesty Self-control Returning to the path
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago, in the city of Rajgruhi, there was a young monk named Ashadhabhuti. He had a special power. He could change the way he looked.
One day he went to a house for food and was given one sweet laddu. He thought, "That is for my teacher. I want one too." So he changed how he looked and went back for another, and then another. That was not honest, and deep down he knew it.
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
One small dishonesty can lead us far away, and one honest look can bring us home.
To talk about together
Ashadhabhuti's trouble began with a small trick to get an extra sweet. Why do small dishonest acts matter?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.