Sakya, sometimes also Sakka, was both the name of a region and the
clan of people who lived there. The
Buddha was a Sakyan. Sakya was a
small chiefdom situated between the much larger kingdom of Kosala and the confederacy
of Vajji and which corresponds to the north-east corner of the modern north
Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. According to the legend, the Sakyans took their
name from the saka tree, Tectona grandis, the Indian teak (D.I,93);
see picture. Sakyans were a people of
the ancient Adicca linage, they belonged to the warrior caste, were known
for their pride and impulsiveness and were considered rustics by their
neighbours (D.I,90; II,165; Sn.423). A group of Sakyan youths are reported as
saying of themselves: `We Sakyans are proud' (Vin.II,183), and Upàli said of
them that they are `a fierce people' (Vin.II,182). The Buddha described his
kinsmen as `endowed with wealth and energy' (dhanaviriyena sampanno, Sn.422).
Although
nominally independent, the Sakyans were under the influence of their eastern
neighbour. In the Tipitaka it says: `The Sakyans are vassals of the king of
Kosala, they offer him humble service and salutation, do his bidding and pay
him homage'(D.III,83). Towards the end of the Buddha's life this de jure independence came to an end when
the Sakyan lands were invaded by and absorbed into Kosala. Even before this the
Buddha described his homeland as belonging to the king of Kosala (Sn.422).
Legend says that the
Buddha's father Suddhodana was a king of the
Sakyans although he was probably more like an elected chief. The only Sakyan
ruler mentioned is Bhaddiya who is described as Sakyaràjà
and when it was suggested that he join his friends in becoming a monk said `wait until I hand over the kingdom to my sons and
brothers'(Vin.II,182).
The Buddha
once said to his monks that when others asked them whose philosophy they
adhered to or which teacher they followed they should reply that they were
`Scions of the Sakyan' (D.III,84), i.e. of the Buddha.
There is a
community of people in Nepal called Sakya who claim to be the direct
descendants of the ancient people, although historians consider this claim to
be unfounded.
1 comment:
To know more about Chief Dr Lucky you can visit his website (https://chiefdrluckyherbaltherapy.wordpress.com/)
A friend that suffered from Herpes and was cure with the help of this great herbal doctor Chief Lucky so i decided to contact him for help in getting rid of my families genital herpes virus 1/2 which i did and all i was told to provide was just some useful information and some materials used in preparation of the natural cure and that i did and now i am the happiest person on earth because i am writing this testimony of mine with joy and happiness in my heart to the whole world to know that natural remedy is real because i am a living testimony of Chief Lucky traditional herbal cure and i want you all to contact Chief Lucky via his email: chiefdrlucky@gmail.com or WhatsApp him +2348132777335 am sure he will help you too.
Post a Comment