The Wise King and the Invader: A Lesson in Confidence and Wisdom

In a previous life, the Bodhisatta was a mighty king, known for his wisdom and courage. One day, a neighboring king with a vast army marched toward the Bodhisatta’s kingdom with the intent to conquer it. When the invading king reached the city gates, he boasted loudly that his army was so large and powerful it was invincible, and no one could stand in his way.

The Bodhisatta, calm and composed, stood atop the city’s fortifications and, with a powerful voice, responded, “Fool, stop your vain boasting. I will crush you and your army as an elephant crushes a thicket of reeds!” His words were filled with confidence, and the sight of the Bodhisatta, undaunted and resolute, was so impressive that the invading king was filled with fear. He realized that such a king could not be defeated and, overwhelmed by the Bodhisatta’s presence, fled back to his own kingdom without a single battle being fought.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In a later birth, the king who had intended to invade was reborn as a wandering ascetic. This ascetic loved to engage in debates, believing himself to be an unmatched intellect. He traveled the land, seeking worthy opponents, but often found few willing to debate him. Upon arriving in the Buddha’s city, the ascetic asked the people if anyone could match his intellect. The people told him there was one person he could not surpass: the Buddha himself, whose wisdom was unparalleled in all of India.

Despite the warnings, the ascetic set his mind on challenging the Buddha. He entered the hall where the Buddha was teaching and was immediately struck by the majesty and serenity of the Buddha’s presence, which seemed as glorious as the gods themselves. The ascetic, overcome by awe and fear, could not bring himself to approach the Buddha. He turned and fled, muttering, “Who could overcome a man like this?”

When the people of the town saw what had happened, they rushed to inform the Buddha. The Buddha, upon hearing the story, told them that this was not the first time the ascetic had fled in the face of overwhelming presence. In a past life, this same man had run away from him when he stood atop the city’s fortifications, declaring his power and confidence to protect his kingdom.

Moral:

1. Power of Confidence and Presence: Just as the Bodhisatta’s confident words and unwavering presence made the invading king flee, the Buddha’s serene and majestic presence had the same effect on the wandering ascetic. This demonstrates that confidence, wisdom, and composure in the face of adversity can make all the difference in overcoming challenges.
2. The Nature of Fear and Ego: The fleeing kings and ascetics both symbolize how fear and ego can lead to retreat when confronted with something greater than oneself. The Bodhisatta’s calm demeanor and powerful speech overwhelmed the invading king, while the Buddha’s perfect wisdom and spiritual presence made the ascetic realize his own limitations.
3. Cycles of Behavior: The story also highlights the cyclical nature of behavior, showing that the same tendencies—fear, arrogance, and avoidance—can persist through multiple lifetimes. The Buddha uses these past experiences to help his disciples understand the nature of the ascetic’s fears and how they too can overcome their own limitations.
4. True Power: True power is not in physical force or the size of an army, but in the strength of one’s wisdom and inner peace. The Bodhisatta’s calmness and confidence in his words were enough to send the invader fleeing without a battle, just as the Buddha’s wisdom and serenity were enough to make the ascetic abandon his challenge.
5. Humility in the Face of Greatness: The ascetic’s retreat shows the importance of humility when faced with true greatness. Rather than engaging in a battle of wits, the ascetic saw the Buddha’s spiritual presence and realized that no debate could compare to the Buddha’s wisdom.

Lesson: This story teaches that true strength comes not from physical power or arrogance, but from wisdom, humility, and inner peace. Those who are calm and confident in their understanding will often prevail, while those driven by fear or ego may flee in the face of true greatness. It reminds us that humility, confidence, and wisdom are the keys to overcoming obstacles in life.