The Bodhisatta: Wisdom and Compassion in the Desert

In a time long past, in the vast expanse of the desert, there lived a noble merchant, the Bodhisatta, who was known for his wisdom and compassion. He led a caravan of oxcarts across great distances, bringing trade from far-off lands. One day, as he prepared for a journey through a perilous desert, he learned that a foolish, young merchant had planned to travel on the same path. If both caravans traveled at once, the roads would become impassable, and finding water, grass for the oxen, and firewood would become impossible. With a heart full of kindness, the Bodhisatta went to speak with the young merchant, urging him to delay his departure. The young merchant, lacking wisdom, agreed, choosing to set off first while the Bodhisatta waited for the right moment.

As the foolish merchant’s caravan ventured deeper into the desert, they encountered a mysterious goblin, skilled in the ways of illusion. The goblin, seeing an opportunity, conjured a magnificent carriage and appeared before the merchant and his men, disguised as a human with water lilies adorning his head. He told them that the worst of the desert journey was over and that ahead, rain and lakes awaited them. The goblin suggested that they lighten their load by discarding their precious water, for soon they would find an abundance of it.

The young merchant, trusting the goblin’s words, ordered his men to discard their water jars. However, as the day wore on, no water appeared. The men grew weak and weary from thirst, and they could not cook their rice. That night, the goblins, hiding in the shadows, attacked the helpless travelers, devouring them and their oxen, leaving nothing but bare bones in the sand.

Weeks later, the Bodhisatta set out with his own caravan of five hundred carts. As he journeyed through the same desert, the goblins approached him with the same tale, claiming that rain and lakes awaited them. But the Bodhisatta, wise and clear of mind, recognized the trap. He instructed his men not to discard their water, explaining that if rain were truly ahead, they would see thunder, feel the wind, and hear the storm. When they arrived at the site where the young merchant’s caravan had perished, they circled their carts into a fortified camp, keeping watch through the night with swords in hand. The next morning, they took the abandoned carts and valuable merchandise, leaving the wasteland behind. With wisdom and caution, they returned home safely and prospered.

The Buddha later recounted this story to a group of men who had once been devoted followers but had strayed from the path of truth. He told them that the foolish young merchant was none other than Devadatta, the Buddha’s own adversary, and that the lost travelers were like his misguided followers. The Bodhisatta’s caravan, however, represented the followers of the Buddha, those who followed the path of wisdom and compassion, reaching their destination safely, free from harm.

Through this tale, the Buddha reminded his followers that his teachings were the only true path, the only way to reach the end of suffering and find true peace. Those who follow the Buddha’s wisdom will not falter or be led astray, just as the Bodhisatta’s caravan thrived, guided by wisdom in the midst of danger.