| Summary: |
The Śrīgupta sūtra is the story of a plot against the life of the Buddha. Śrīgupta, a wealthy young Jain disciple, at his guru's instigation invites the Buddha to lunch at his house in Rājagṛha, where he secretly prepares a fire-trap and a poisoned meal. The Buddha is aware of this, but proceeds to use the occasion as a demonstration of his invulnerability to harm through the power of his realization of the truth. He reassures his followers by relating stories of his previous lives as a chick, a hare, and a peacock, when he similarly vanquished fire and poison. Śrīgupta apologizes for his mistake, takes refuge, and receives the Buddha's teachings. |
