Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c10.153

v1.c10.153

Ekasāṭaka.—A very poor brahmin who lived in the time of Vipassī Buddha. He was so called because he and his wife had, between them, only one upper garment, worn by whichever of them happened to be going out. The Buddha was in the habit of preaching every seven years. On one such occasion the brahmin listened to the Buddha’s sermon, and being greatly pleased, wishing to make an offering, he gave the Buddha his upper garment after a hard mental struggle as to whether he could afford the gift. Having made the gift, he shouted with joy saying, “I have won.” The king of the city, Bandhumā, having heard the shout and learnt the reason, gave to the brahmin various rich gifts, including the *sabbaṭṭhaka*,¹ all of which the latter presented to the Buddha, keeping, at the king's special request, a single pair of garments for himself and his wife. The king later made Ekasāṭaka his chaplain.²