Indra’s Wishing Cup: The Dangers of Indulgence and Irresponsibility

In this Jataka, the Bodhisatta is Indra, the king of the gods. Before this divine incarnation, he was a wealthy merchant known for his righteousness and generosity. Upon his death, he left his son a vast fortune of four hundred million coins. However, the son was irresponsible and led a life of indulgence in alcohol and debauchery. Over time, he squandered his entire inheritance and became penniless and homeless.

Out of love for his son, the Bodhisatta, seeing his son’s misfortune, decides to intervene. He descends to earth and gives the son a “wishing cup.” As long as the son possessed this cup, he would have unlimited wealth. Despite this incredible gift, the son continued his reckless ways, and one day, while distractedly tossing the cup in the air, he accidentally dropped it, causing it to break. Without the magical cup, the son was left to live out the rest of his life in misery and poverty, eventually becoming a beggar.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

The story then shifts to the time of the Buddha. The Bodhisatta’s son is revealed to be an earlier birth of the nephew of Anathapindika, a wealthy and generous supporter of the Buddha. This nephew, much like his counterpart in the past life, had inherited a great fortune, but squandered it through reckless living. Eventually, he came to his uncle, Anathapindika, asking for help.

Anathapindika, compassionate as always, gave the nephew one thousand coins, which the nephew quickly spent. When the money ran out, Anathapindika gave him another five hundred coins, but once again, the nephew wasted it all. Eventually, Anathapindika, seeing the pattern, gave him only two outfits to wear. When those wore out, the nephew came back, but this time, Anathapindika refused to help him further. Unable to care for himself, the nephew eventually died destitute by the side of a wall.

When Anathapindika shared this sorrowful story with the Buddha, the Buddha responded by telling him this Jataka. He explained that this was not the first time he had tried and failed to help the nephew in his past life, just as he had tried in this life to assist him through his generosity.

Reflection on the Story

This Jataka highlights several themes: the folly of indulgence, the consequences of irresponsible behavior, and the limits of external help in the face of personal vice. The son’s ultimate downfall—despite receiving unlimited wealth from the wishing cup—shows that material wealth and external aid are of little use if one is not willing to make wise decisions and change one’s lifestyle.

The Buddha’s retelling of this story serves as a reminder that no matter how much help is given, if a person does not take responsibility for their own actions, they will continue to squander opportunities and fall into ruin. The message is clear: self-control, responsibility, and wise living are necessary for prosperity, and without these qualities, even the greatest fortune cannot save a person from their own self-destructive tendencies.

The connection between this Jataka and Anathapindika’s nephew further underscores the importance of personal responsibility. Just as the Bodhisatta tried to help his past life’s son by providing him unlimited wealth, Anathapindika’s nephew could not benefit from his uncle’s generosity due to his own inability to manage his resources wisely. The lesson teaches that true prosperity is not only about wealth but about the wisdom to manage and live in accordance with one’s means and virtues.

Moral

The moral of the story is that wealth, material gifts, and external aid are of little value if one lacks the discipline, responsibility, and wisdom to use them properly. The tale emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and wise decision-making in achieving a truly prosperous and fulfilling life.