salaka_jat

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Sālaka Jātaka (No. 249)

A snake-charmer had a monkey called Sālaka, whom he trained to play with a snake; by this means the man earned his living. During a feast he entrusted the monkey to his friend, the Bodhisatta born as a merchant, and when he returned seven days later he beat the monkey and took him away. When the man wais asleep the monkey broke away and refused to be enticed back by the man.

The story was related in reference to an Elder who ill-treated a novice ordained by him. Several times the novice returned to the lay life, but came back at the Elder’s request, but in the end he refused to be persuaded. The novice was the monkey. J.ii.266f.

Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names • G.P. Malalasekera