Tagged: nāga
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Levman - Cultural Remnants of the Indigenous Peoples in the Buddhist Scriptures (2014)
1Bryan Levman's article argues that Buddhist scriptures contain significant cultural remnants from India's indigenous Munda, Dravidian, and Tibeto-Burman peoples, which have been obscured by a later "brahmanization" that historicized the Buddha within the dominant Indo-Aryan (IA) tradition. The author identifies this indigenous influence by examining the hostility between IA immigrants and eastern ethnic groups like the Buddha's Sakya clan, whose distinct socio-political organization (*gaṇasaṅgha*), rejection of the Brahmanical class system, and non-Aryan marriage customs are evident in the texts. Furthermore, key Buddhist concepts and practices are traced to autochthonous roots, including the idea of the *Mahāpuruṣa* (Great Man), the veneration of trees and serpents (*nāgas*), the culture of sacred groves, and the unique funeral rites described for the Buddha's *parinibbāna*, all of which differ significantly from Vedic norms.
12. Uruvelapāṭihāriyakathā (The Account of the Miracles at Uruvelā)
2The Bhagavā (Buddha) journeyed to Uruvelā, encountering three dreadlocked ascetic brothers — Uruvelakassapa, Nadīkassapo, and Gayākassapo — who were leaders of one thousand ascetics. To overcome Uruvelakassapa's pride and belief in his own spiritual superiority, the Bhagavā performed a series of miracles, including subduing a fierce nāga, being visited by divine beings (Four Great Kings, Sakka, Brahmā Sahampati), discerning Uruvelakassapa's thoughts, and demonstrating control over natural elements and phenomena. Despite each miracle, Uruvelakassapa, while impressed by the Bhagavā's power, repeatedly concluded that the Bhagavā was not an arahant like himself. Finally, the Bhagavā directly challenged Uruvelakassapa's delusion, leading to the conversion of all three brothers and their one thousand followers, who then received ordination. Subsequently, the Bhagavā delivered the Fire Discourse at Gayāsīsa, explaining how all sensory experiences are "burning" with passion, aversion, and delusion, which led to the liberation of all one thousand newly ordained bhikkhus.