KokÄlika
1. KokÄlika (KokÄliya).- A monk, one of the chief partisans of Devadatta. Knowing the Buddha’s might, he was, at first, reluctant to join in Devadatta’s plot against him, but later allowed himself to be persuaded on hearing the scheme explained (Vin.ii.196; iii.171). When the monks blamed Devadatta for his misdeeds, KokÄlika was always ready to defend him (Vin.iii.174). When Devadatta’s gains diminished, KokÄlika went about praising him, his birth, accomplishments and holiness, and many believed him (J.ii.438f). He was a great friend of ThullanandÄ (Vin.iv.335). We are told that once he expressed resentment because he had never been asked to recite the texts; so one day the monks gave him his chance. He ate his favourite soup, and at sundown, wearing a blue lower robe and an outer robe of white and carrying an elegantly carved fan, he appeared in the assembly. However, when he tried to recite sweat poured from his body and he was utterly confused. Henceforth the monks knew that his claim to learning was but pretence (J.ii.65f).
Several JÄtakas are related showing how, in previous births also, KokÄlika had come to grief because of his fondness for talk and how he had been the accomplice of Devadatta. He is identified with:
Buddhaghosa says (SNA.ii.473; AA.ii.850; SA.i.167) that this KokÄlika was a brahmin and a pupil of Devadatta, and that he was called MahÄ KokÄlika to distinguish him from another KokÄlika who was similarly called Cūḷa KokÄlika (see KokÄlika 2). There seems to be great confusions in the stories of these two men — if they were really two. In the JÄtaka Commentary, for instance, the introductory stories of several of the JÄtakas refer to the TakkÄriya JÄtaka for details of KokÄlika, obviously having in mind Devadatta’s partisan; but the introductory story of the TakkÄriya JÄtaka is identical with that related elsewhere of Cūḷa KokÄlika. See also DhA.iv.91f, where the story of the talkative tortoise is related to KokÄlika of the KokÄlika Sutta which, according to Buddhaghosa (SNA.ii.473) refers to Cūḷa KokÄlika.
In the Vyaggha JÄtaka (J.ii.356) KokÄlika is mentioned as having tried to persuade SÄriputta and MoggallÄna to go with him to his own country and as having been very angry when they refused. Possibly this story also refers to Cūḷa KokÄlika. See also Devadatta.
2. KokÄlika (KokÄliya).- A monk, also called Cūḷa KokÄlika to distinguish him from KokÄlika (1). He was the son of KokÄli-seá¹á¹hi of KokÄli and lived in the monastery erected by his father in KokÄli. Once the two Chief Disciples, desiring quiet, spent the rainy season with him, he promising to tell nobody of their presence. After the rains, as the Elders were about to return, KokÄlika informed the inhabitants of their stay and blamed them for not showing them hospitality. The townspeople hurried to the Elders with various offerings; these were, however, refused, and KokÄlika, who had expected that the gifts would be given to him, was disappointed. The Elders promised the townsmen to visit them again, and on their return were accompanied by a large following of monks to whom the townsmen showed all honour. The gifts were divided among the monks, KokÄlika not receiving a share. He thereupon became abusive, and the Chief Disciples left the place. The people were annoyed, and insisted that KokÄlika should either bring them back or depart himself. The Elders refused to return, and KokÄlika, in great anger, sought the Buddha at SÄvatthi, and in spite of his injunctions spoke ill of the Chief Disciples. Having three times accused the Elders of sinful desires, he left Jetavana, but boils immediately came out on his body, swelling and bursting. Groaning with pain, he fell down at the gate of Jetavana. His spiritual teacher, the anÄgÄmÄ« BrahmÄ, Tudu, hearing his cries, came to him and begged him to seek forgiveness from the Elders. However, he cursed the BrahmÄ and refused to listen to him. KokÄlika died and was born in Paduma-niraya. S.i.149ff; A.v.171f; SN.123f; SNA.ii.473f; J.iv.242f; AA.ii.850; SA.i.167f; DhA.iv.91f The different sources vary in a few minor details; the JÄtaka version is the fullest.
It was in reference to this incident that the TakkÄriya JÄtaka was taught.
The BrahmÄ Sahampati informed the Buddha of KokÄlika’s birth in the Paduma-niraya (S.i.151; SN. p.125).
The KokÄlika Sutta was taught in reference to this KokÄlika. See also KokÄlika (1).
KokÄlika is mentioned as an example of a person guilty of misdemeanour regarding the Buddha’s disciples (TathÄgatasÄvake micchÄpatipanno). AA.i.335, 466.
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