The Path of Sacrifice and Wisdom: The Jayaddisa Jataka

The Jayaddisa Jataka (Jataka #513) recounts a story about sacrifice, filial piety, and the path to enlightenment, drawing a connection between the Bodhisatta’s past lives and his ultimate choice to renounce worldly glory to fulfill a greater moral calling. The tale blends elements of family rivalry, moral teachings, and self-sacrifice, all of which are key themes in the Bodhisatta’s journey towards Buddhahood.

The Plot

A Past Rivalry Reborn

The story begins with a recounting of a deep-seated rivalry between two women in a king’s harem, one of whom prayed that in a future life, she would be able to devour the children of the other. This wish was granted when the jealous woman was reborn as an ogress (a monstrous female demon) and the other woman, whose children she sought to harm, was reborn as the chief queen, the Bodhisatta’s grandmother.

The ogress, filled with vengeful intent, devoured the queen’s children, one after another, until the queen finally bore her fourth child, the Bodhisatta’s father. However, by then, the ogress had died, and this newborn prince was safe from harm. He grew up to become a righteous king, and when the Bodhisatta was born as the king’s son, he became the crown prince and viceroy.

The Ogress’s Son: The Tragic Fate of the Abducted Child

The story takes a turn when we learn of the ogress’s son, the child she had abducted and raised after he was stolen away. This boy, now grown, is a fearful sight to the people of the kingdom because he looks just like a regular ogre. He had been given a magic root by his adoptive mother that rendered him invisible, but now that the magic root was lost, he was visible to all and terrifying. As a result, the people lived in constant fear of him, and eventually, the king ordered his capture. The ogress’s son fled to the forest, where he lived off the land, capturing travelers.

The King’s Hunt and the Bodhisatta’s Sacrifice

The king, while out hunting one day, was captured by the ogress’s son. The king attempted to offer the ogress’s son the deer he had caught, hoping to bargain for his life, but the ogress’s son refused. Instead, the king promised to return the next morning, pay a brahmin a debt, and keep his word before he would face death.

True to his word, the king returned to the city, and instead of paying the brahmin the agreed-upon 400 coins, he gave him 4,000 coins as a token of his generosity. The king, seeing no way out, decided to offer his life to save his father from the ogress’s son. The Bodhisatta, hearing of the king’s decision, volunteered to sacrifice himself, offering to go into the forest in his place.

A Test of Courage

The Bodhisatta walked fearlessly into the forest, and when the ogress’s son saw him approach, he was taken aback by the lack of fear in the Bodhisatta’s eyes. The Bodhisatta calmly offered his life to save his father, but the ogress’s son, deeply moved by the Bodhisatta’s virtue and courage, hesitated. He had never met anyone who did not fear death, and this profoundly affected him.

The Bodhisatta, seeing the ogress’s son’s internal struggle, continued to speak about moral laws and the consequences of evil deeds. As they conversed, the Bodhisatta realized that the ogress’s son might not truly be an ogre, since he cast a shadow and his eyes blinked, unlike those of a real ogre. The Bodhisatta hypothesized that the ogress’s son was, in fact, the rightful heir to the throne—a lost prince who had been kidnapped and raised by the ogress.

The Revelation and Redemption

The ogress’s son was skeptical of this idea and demanded proof. The Bodhisatta suggested they consult an ascetic who possessed supernatural vision. When they arrived, the ascetic immediately recognized them as descendants of a common ancestor. Upon hearing this, the ogress’s son realized the truth of his identity.

Instead of seeking to become a king, the ogress’s son renounced his worldly desires and chose to live the life of an ascetic, seeking enlightenment. The Bodhisatta’s wisdom and compassion had transformed the ogress’s son, and he was ordained by the ascetic. The Bodhisatta returned to the city, where he shared his story and was welcomed with great respect.

The King’s Attempt to Reconcile

The king, having been reunited with his long-lost brother, tried to convince him to take the throne, but the ogress’s son refused, preferring a life of renunciation. The king, respecting his brother’s choice, built a village for 1,000 families near the monastery to support the ascetic lifestyle, ensuring the ascetics would always have alms to sustain them.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the time of the Buddha, a disciple had been practicing dharma for twelve years without attaining spiritual insight. After hearing that his parents had fallen into poverty and were now living in dire circumstances, the disciple decided to leave the monastic life and return home to care for them. However, before he could do so, he listened to a sermon by the Buddha on the virtues of honoring one’s parents, which reminded him of his past life as the Bodhisatta, who had sacrificed himself to save his father.

Inspired by the Buddha’s teachings, the disciple decided to remain in the sangha and continue his spiritual practice while also supporting his parents. His decision to balance his spiritual aspirations with his familial duties was praised by the Buddha, who used the Jayaddisa Jataka to teach that caring for one’s parents is a virtuous act and part of the path to enlightenment.

Key Themes and Moral Lessons

1. Filial Piety and Sacrifice: The central theme of the Jayaddisa Jataka is the Bodhisatta’s self-sacrifice to save his father. This act reflects the Buddhist ideal of selflessness and compassion for others, especially family members. The story underscores the importance of honoring and caring for one’s parents, a duty that transcends even personal ambition.
2. Courage and Virtue: The Bodhisatta’s courage in facing death without fear is a model of virtue and moral strength. His ability to face danger with calm and clarity shows the power of wisdom in overcoming fear and adversity.
3. Transformation Through Wisdom: The Bodhisatta’s compassion and wisdom transform the ogress’s son, leading him from a life of violence and fear to one of renunciation and spiritual awakening. This transformation illustrates the power of moral teachings and the potential for redemption.
4. The Dangers of Desire for Power: The ogress’s son’s rejection of the throne and his choice to live as an ascetic highlight the Buddhist teaching that attachment to power and material wealth leads to suffering. The story reinforces the idea that true happiness lies in renunciation and the pursuit of enlightenment.
5. The Importance of Parental Care: The story also speaks to the Buddhist value of taking care of one’s parents and balancing worldly duties with spiritual aspirations. It reminds followers that compassion extends to family, and that looking after others is an integral part of the path to enlightenment.

Conclusion

The Jayaddisa Jataka is a profound tale that teaches the virtues of self-sacrifice, courage, filial piety, and spiritual wisdom. Through the Bodhisatta’s actions, the story emphasizes the Buddhist ideals of compassion and renunciation, showing how wisdom and virtue can transform lives and lead to the ultimate goal of enlightenment. The tale also highlights the cyclical nature of existence, as it draws connections between past lives and the potential for redemption in the present.