The Khandha-Vatta Jataka: The Power of Universal Compassion

In the Khandha-Vatta Jataka, the Bodhisatta is an ascetic living in a remote forest with many other ascetic followers. The area is infested with snakes, and several of his companions have died from snakebites. Concerned for the safety of his fellow ascetics, the Bodhisatta calls an assembly and advises them to show kindness to the four royal races of snakes. He tells them that if they approach all creatures with love and compassion, no harm will come to them, even from snakes.

The Bodhisatta stresses that all living beings, whether they have two legs, four legs, or none, deserve kindness and respect. When the other ascetics follow his advice and begin to treat the snakes with love and care, the snakes around their home leave, and no further harm comes to the ascetics.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the Lifetime of the Buddha, one of the Buddha’s disciples, while sitting in his quarters and chopping sticks, is bitten on the toe by a snake that crawls out of a rotten log. The disciple dies instantly from the bite. The Buddha, upon hearing about the incident, tells the other disciples that if the unfortunate disciple had shown kindness to the four royal races of snakes, the snake would not have harmed him.

To illustrate the importance of compassion and kindness toward all living beings, the Buddha recounts the Khandha-Vatta Jataka. He points out that the disciple’s failure to show love and respect for even creatures like snakes led to his untimely death, teaching the disciples the significance of extending kindness to all creatures, regardless of their nature or appearance.

Moral Lessons and Teachings

1. Compassion Toward All Living Beings: The central message of this story is the importance of compassion for all living beings, regardless of their species or form. The Bodhisatta’s teaching to love all creatures with kindness, including those that may seem dangerous like snakes, reflects the Buddhist value of non-harming (ahimsa) and the interconnection between all life.
2. The Power of Kindness to Transform Circumstances: The ascetics’ kindness to the snakes results in the snakes leaving, showing that love and respect can transform even potentially dangerous situations into peaceful ones. This highlights the Buddhist teaching that kindness and compassion can have far-reaching effects, not only on human beings but on all forms of life.
3. Karma and Consequences: The unfortunate death of the disciple who did not show kindness to the snake serves as a reminder of the Buddhist principle of karma. The disciple’s lack of compassion had consequences, as did the ascetics’ actions in the past life of the Bodhisatta. The lesson is that the energy and intention we put out into the world, including how we treat even the smallest creatures, returns to us.
4. Teaching by Example: The Bodhisatta’s actions serve as an example to his followers. Rather than simply telling them what to do, he leads by showing compassion to all living creatures, which in turn inspires his followers to adopt the same approach. This is an example of right livelihood and right conduct, essential parts of the Buddhist path.

Conclusion

The Khandha-Vatta Jataka teaches a valuable lesson about compassion and the importance of extending kindness to all creatures. It demonstrates that the power of love and respect can bring about harmony, even in potentially harmful situations, such as those involving snakes. The story also emphasizes the consequences of karma, where actions, or lack of kindness, can lead to either peace or suffering. In the Lifetime of the Buddha, the Buddha uses this story to remind his disciples to be mindful of their behavior and to cultivate compassion for all living beings, highlighting that true wisdom involves understanding and respecting all forms of life.