Saddhādhimutta in Pāli Literature: Focusing on saddhā in the Stories of Vakkali

Abstract

In this paper, first, I arrange Theravāda Buddhist stories of Vakkali, considered among the first saddhādhimutta, in chronological order. As a result, I clarify that what causes Vakkali to become an arahant or attain nibbāna has changed from suicide to jumping (Skt. pra-√skand) from a mountain cliff, and from jumping to observation (vipassanā).

I then examine how Vakkali’s saddhā relates to his story. Vakkali’s saddhā toward the Buddha is described as too powerful to allow contemplation practice. Such stagnation of training can be pointed out in the context of his dedication to seeing the Buddha too. Similarly, seeing the Buddha is also the purpose of his jumping from the mountain cliff. I think that his powerful saddhā toward Buddha is also in the background of these two things.