The Bodhisatta: The Illegitimate King’s Son

In a distant kingdom long ago, the Bodhisatta was born as the illegitimate son of a king. The story of his birth began when the king, while out picking fruits and flowers in the forest, met a peasant woman who was gathering firewood. The two became intimate, and from this union, the Bodhisatta was conceived. The king, understanding the possibility of such a consequence, gave the woman his signet ring. He instructed her that if she had a daughter, she could sell the ring and use the money to raise her child. However, if she had a son, she was to bring him to the palace, where he would be recognized as the king’s child.

Years passed, and the Bodhisatta grew up as a young boy. Though he was loved and cared for by his mother, he faced teasing from the other children, who mocked him for not having a father. One day, deeply upset by their cruel words, he ran home and demanded to know who his father was. His mother, feeling it was time to reveal the truth, told him that his father was the king. Upon hearing this revelation, the Bodhisatta insisted on going to the palace to see the king. His mother, though anxious, agreed, and they traveled to the palace.

When the king saw the young boy, he recognized that what the woman had said was true, but out of shame and a desire to deny his actions, he refused to acknowledge his paternity. He denied that the signet ring was his, and the Bodhisatta’s claim was dismissed.

In response to the king’s rejection, the Bodhisatta’s mother, determined to prove the truth, took an extraordinary action. She grabbed her son by the leg and hurled him high into the air, declaring, “If you are indeed the father of my child, I pray that he remains in mid-air. But if you are not, may he fall and perish.” To everyone’s astonishment, the Bodhisatta remained suspended in mid-air, sitting cross-legged as if floating on a cushion of air. He then called out to the king, begging him to accept him as his son.

Seeing this miraculous event, the king could no longer deny the truth. He accepted the Bodhisatta as his son and acknowledged him as a rightful heir. His mother, once a peasant woman, was elevated to the position of queen, and the Bodhisatta, with his honor restored, eventually ascended the throne when his father passed away.

Moral:

This tale teaches us profound lessons about honor, truth, and the inherent worth of an individual, regardless of their origins. Despite being born out of wedlock, the Bodhisatta was able to prove his legitimacy through his wisdom and the miraculous events that followed his mother’s challenge. His rise to the throne, despite the shame and rejection from his father, demonstrates that one’s true value does not lie in the circumstances of their birth, but in their actions, virtues, and destiny.

The story also highlights the importance of acknowledging the truth, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable it may be. The king’s initial denial of the Bodhisatta’s paternity only brought shame to himself, while the Bodhisatta’s courageous act of seeking the truth led to his rightful recognition.

The Bodhisatta’s rise to power shows that leadership and royalty are not determined by blood alone, but by the wisdom and integrity of the ruler. True kingship comes from one’s ability to rise above adversity and fulfill the duties of justice, fairness, and righteousness.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the Buddha’s time, the story of the Bodhisatta’s birth was echoed in the life of King Pasenadi, a righteous and devoted ruler who supported the Buddha and his teachings. One day, King Pasenadi learned that his queen, a woman from the Sakya clan, had hidden the truth of her origins. She had been born to a nobleman, but her father had been a slave, a fact that she had concealed from her husband and son.

When King Pasenadi discovered this, he was enraged. He felt dishonored by the deception and initially decided to treat his wife and son with the same disregard he would give to his slaves. However, the Buddha intervened, explaining to the king that the real value of a person lies not in their birth, but in their actions and moral character. He also told King Pasenadi the story of his own past life, when he had been born as an illegitimate son of a king and a peasant woman, yet still ascended to the throne through wisdom and virtue.

The Buddha’s teaching helped the king see the error of his ways. He realized that his wife and son were worthy of respect and honor, not because of their birth, but because of their noble character. The king, moved by the Buddha’s words, restored his queen and son to their rightful place, proving that true nobility is found in one’s actions and heart, not merely in family lineage.

Moral:

This portion of the story reinforces the Buddha’s message that true nobility and worth are not determined by the circumstances of one’s birth or the status of their family, but by their actions, virtues, and the purity of their intentions. Just as the Bodhisatta was able to rise above his humble beginnings to become a great king, so too can individuals find dignity, honor, and respect by living a life of integrity, wisdom, and compassion. The Buddha’s teachings continually remind us that no matter our past, we all have the potential for greatness if we live virtuously and truthfully.