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After initially protesting and refusing to accept that Siddhartha would leave him, Channa saddled Kanthaka,<ref>http://www.rootinstitute.com/buddhism/buddhism_shakyamuni_sorrow.html</ref> guiding him out of the town aboard the horse to a forest by the edge of the [[Anoma River]].<ref>http://www.watlaori.org/who%20is%20buddha.pdf{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Channa returned Siddhartha's acoutrements, weapons and hair to Suddhodarnha upon his return to the palace, after Siddhartha compelled him to return after Channa had refused to leave him. |
After initially protesting and refusing to accept that Siddhartha would leave him, Channa saddled Kanthaka,<ref>http://www.rootinstitute.com/buddhism/buddhism_shakyamuni_sorrow.html</ref> guiding him out of the town aboard the horse to a forest by the edge of the [[Anoma River]].<ref>http://www.watlaori.org/who%20is%20buddha.pdf{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Channa returned Siddhartha's acoutrements, weapons and hair to Suddhodarnha upon his return to the palace, after Siddhartha compelled him to return after Channa had refused to leave him. |
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Upon Siddhartha's enlightenment as [[Gautama Buddha]] and return to [[Kapilavastu (ancient city)|Kapilavastu]], Channa became a Buddhist monk, joining the [[Sangha (Buddhism)|Sangha]]. Due to his lone accompaniment of the Buddha on his renouncement, Channa behaved in an overbearing way to the other monks, and frequently criticized the two chief disciples [[Sariputta]] and [[Moggallana]]. In spite of continual advice from The Buddha he continued to abuse the other monks. Prior to the [[parinibbana]], the |
Upon Siddhartha's enlightenment as [[Gautama Buddha]] and return to [[Kapilavastu (ancient city)|Kapilavastu]], Channa became a Buddhist monk, joining the [[Sangha (Buddhism)|Sangha]]. Due to his lone accompaniment of the Buddha on his renouncement, Channa behaved in an overbearing way to the other monks, and frequently criticized the two chief disciples [[Sariputta]] and [[Moggallana]]. In spite of continual advice from The Buddha he continued to abuse the other monks. Prior to the [[parinibbana]], the Buddha instructed [[Ananda]] to impose the [[brahmadanda]] on Channa, whereby the other monks would simply ignore him. After the parinibbana, Channa learned of the decree, and feeling remorse for his behaviour, he fainted three times before asking and obtaining pardon. He eventually became an [[arahant]]. |
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==Modern Evidencess== |
==Modern Evidencess== |
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Channa | |
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| File:The Great Going Forth.jpg Prince Siddhartha after leaving the palace, intending to take up the life of a wandering ascetic or monk. He travelled with his friend and servant Channa, and his horse Kanthaka. |
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Channa - The Divine Charioteer (Pali: Channa; Sanskrit: Chandaka) (6th century BCE, in what is now Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India) was a royal servant and head charioteer of Prince Siddhartha, who was to become the Buddha. Channa later became a disciple of the Buddha and achieved arahantship, as is described in the 78th verse of the Dhammapada.
Channa was a servant in the court of King Śuddhodana who was entrusted to attend to the needs of Siddhartha, who had been lavished and pampered in a series of purpose-built palaces in order to shield him from thoughts of pain and suffering. This was done due to a prophecy by the ascetic Asita, who predicted that Siddhartha would renounce the throne to become a spiritual leader were he to contemplate human suffering. Channa was the servant who served as the charioteer pulled by the horse Kanthaka, when Siddhartha saw the Four sights whilst meeting his subjects in the Sakya capital Kapilavastu, which prompted his decision to renounce the world.
During these expeditions, Channa explained to Siddhartha the sights of an elderly man, a sick person, a dead person whose funeral was being conducted and finally, an ascetic who had renounced worldly life for a spiritual one, as Siddhartha who had been secluded from such sights within the palace was taken aback. Channa was later entrusted by Siddhartha to accompany him upon his escape from the palace to become an ascetic, whilst the remainder of the palace guards were asleep.
After initially protesting and refusing to accept that Siddhartha would leave him, Channa saddled Kanthaka,[1] guiding him out of the town aboard the horse to a forest by the edge of the Anoma River.[2] Channa returned Siddhartha's acoutrements, weapons and hair to Suddhodarnha upon his return to the palace, after Siddhartha compelled him to return after Channa had refused to leave him.
Upon Siddhartha's enlightenment as Gautama Buddha and return to Kapilavastu, Channa became a Buddhist monk, joining the Sangha. Due to his lone accompaniment of the Buddha on his renouncement, Channa behaved in an overbearing way to the other monks, and frequently criticized the two chief disciples Sariputta and Moggallana. In spite of continual advice from The Buddha he continued to abuse the other monks. Prior to the parinibbana, the Buddha instructed Ananda to impose the brahmadanda on Channa, whereby the other monks would simply ignore him. After the parinibbana, Channa learned of the decree, and feeling remorse for his behaviour, he fainted three times before asking and obtaining pardon. He eventually became an arahant.
Modern Evidencess
It is said that, the day of Vaisakh (Vesaka / Baisakhi Month) Full moon (English – May Month) is the day of the birth of five divine souls - The day of the birth of Siddhartha Gautama (Gothama)) Buddha, and the four others were born on the same day, same year – 1). Princess ‘Bhadda-kanchana (Yashodhara)’, wife of Buddha and the daughter of Aryan Shakya ‘Danda-pani / Vajra-pani’ aka Lord ‘Indra’ (Roman God Hercules), 2). Aryan-son ‘Ananda’, the youngest son of Amitodana, the youngest paternal uncle of Buddha. 3). Royal Horse Kathak (Kannak), the horse on whose name a famous south Indian dance form is named and 4). its Charioteer Chhannaa (Chhandaka). In the great assembly of Lord Indra, Prince Siddhartha won princess Bhadda-kanchana in Swayamwara (i.e. a marriage by selection or competition) by piercing fish eye by an arrow, just looking upon the mirror reflection.
Keep in mind – Aryan Shakya Dynasty originally hails from the south India. Here, in south India, King Shuddhodana Gothama made three castle palaces for three seasons’ residence / dwelling of his first prince son Siddhartha, one for summer season - the Ranga-Natha-Swamy Temple Vihara, Sri-Rangam, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil-Nadu State, one for a rainy season – The ‘Jal (means water) Kande-shwara Temple Vihara, Vellore Fort, Tamil Nadu State, South India’, and one for winter season – Perur Pateeswarar Temple Vihara, Perur, Coimbatore, Tamil-Nadu State, South India.
All the three palaces entrance depict the sculpture of Shakyan Warrior prince Siddartha riding on Royal Horse Kathaka, accompanied by charioteer Chhanna, Siddartha who left the Palace of golden parasol (In Hindi – it is called as ‘Maha(The Great) Bhi-Nishkriman (Home exit for world’s welfare)’) by overcoming the affection and love of his parents. In the darkness of night, Horse Kathaka and Charioteer Chhanna facing the violent wild animals (tiger) have been depicted. Sometimes nearby, at the horse feet, the prodigy baby crown-prince ‘Rahula’ along with life-long follower cousin (son of father’s youngest brother) ‘Ananda’ can also be seen clearly. At the same time, step mother ‘Maha-Prajapati’ under golden parasol can also be seen on the shoulders of father Shuddhodhana. Siddhartha piercing his father’s affection by the sword of Wisdom (Intellect) is also depicted symbolically. Buddha says, ‘winning oneself is better than conquering others’.
This statue of Warrior prince can be seen not only in the South India but throughout India and all over the whole world also. It is said that, when Prince Siddhartha came out of the palace with horse and charioteer at the age of 29 and saw the old man and a dead body lying on the burning deathbed for the first time, then he got rid of the material world and strong desire to overcome the human distress. Siddhartha Gautama who transcend / overcame the ‘Moha-Maya’ (the bondage / affection of Parents king father Suddhodhana the Moha and Queen mother Maha-Maya and step mother Maha-Prajapati, the Mayas respectively) and ‘Samsara / Sansara’ ( means the world or family of wife Bhadda-Kanchana and son Rahula) and set out riding the horse for the welfare of the humanity.
Blessed is the Horse Kathaka, whom even the wild animals of the dark wilderness couldn’t stop, blessed is the charioteer Chhanna, who lead the warrior prince Siddhartha towards the path of enlightened Journey (righteous Dhamma) and accompanied Siddhartha till the bank of the river 7 Km apart from the palace. Hence, it is always said that – if there be any ride, then be it the ride of fully determined Royal horse Kathaka, and any guide / mentor / charioteer in life, then let be it the righteous charioteer Chhanna only.
References
- Ven., Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero (1993). Treasury of Truth Illustrated Dhammapada.
- Electronic copy - verse 78
