Monks and Acharyas
Samantabhadra
समंतभद्र · સમંતભદ્ર
A monk with a hunger no food could fill, and a hymn that opened stone
- 4 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
- Digambar telling
The great Digambar Acharya Samantabhadra was struck by a strange illness that left him always hungry, though a Digambar monk eats only once a day. His teacher gave him unexpected advice, and his long road back led him to a temple and a king.
What it teaches Perseverance Devotion Honesty
The opening of the children's telling
Long ago in the south of India lived a monk named Samantabhadra. He was clever and kind. But one day he became ill. His tummy felt hungry all the time, no matter how much he ate. It was a strange sickness called bhasmak.
Digambar monks eat only once a day, so this was very hard for him. His wise teacher said, "Go and get well first. Eat what you need. When you are better, come back and be a monk again."
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
Even after a wrong turn, honesty and devotion can always lead us home.
To talk about together
Samantabhadra's teacher believed in him even when he was ill. How can we show someone we believe in them?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.