The Sambhava Jataka: The Young Bodhisatta’s Wisdom

The Sambhava Jataka (Jataka #515) presents a story centered on the wisdom and righteousness of the Bodhisatta, even from a young age. The tale highlights the themes of moral clarity, the importance of good leadership, and how virtuous actions lead to spiritual success. The story also connects to the Buddha’s teachings on wisdom and the qualities needed to attain a higher state of being, such as enlightenment.

The Plot

The King’s Question

The story begins in the kingdom of Kuru, where a wise and just king, King of Kuru, is eager to learn more about what it means to live a righteous and true life. He asks his royal chaplain, Sucirata, for advice on how to increase his good deeds and become a better ruler. The question is profound and difficult, and Sucirata, feeling unqualified to answer, suggests that the king ask his friend, Vidhura, the chaplain of the King of Varanasi, who might be able to answer.

The Search for an Answer

Sucirata sets out on a journey to visit Vidhura, traveling across India to seek wisdom from sages and wise men. However, none of them can provide an answer to the king’s pressing question.

When Sucirata finally reaches Varanasi, he meets with Vidhura, who is surprised by the question. Although Vidhura is a wise and respected figure, he confesses that he cannot answer such a monumental question himself. However, Vidhura directs Sucirata to his eldest son, who he believes is wiser than he is. When Sucirata meets the eldest son, he finds the man distracted by an affair with a married woman, and he admits he is not in the right frame of mind to answer the question. The eldest son, however, suggests that Sucirata ask the middle son, who is also too preoccupied with an affair of his own to answer.

The middle son directs Sucirata to the youngest son, the Bodhisatta, who is only seven years old but is said to be a hundred thousand times wiser than his brothers, capable of answering the question with the wisdom of a Buddha.

The Bodhisatta’s Answer

Sucirata finds the Bodhisatta playing with other children in the street. When asked the question, the Bodhisatta speaks in a voice so sweet and powerful that his words are magically carried throughout the entire city, reaching the ears of everyone. The Bodhisatta answers that a king who wants to attain heaven must never engage in wicked deeds and must instead be a shining example of righteousness, leading by moral example and ensuring that his subjects also follow the path of goodness.

The answer is so profound and pure that the people of the city erupt in applause. They shower the Bodhisatta with ten million coins’ worth of jewelry, recognizing the extraordinary wisdom of the young boy. Sucirata writes the answer down on a golden tablet and rewards the Bodhisatta with a thousand-weight of gold.

The King’s Life and the Bodhisatta’s Influence

When Sucirata returns to the King of Kuru with the answer, the king follows the Bodhisatta’s advice for the rest of his life. He rules righteously, never engaging in wickedness, and serves as a shining example of moral leadership. Upon his death, the king ascends to heaven, his virtuous life having ensured his favorable rebirth.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

Years later, during the Buddha’s lifetime, the Buddha recalls the Sambhava Jataka to his disciples. Hearing them praise his supreme wisdom, the Buddha tells them this story from his past lives to remind them that he had always been adept at answering questions and teaching wisdom, even in previous existences.

The characters in the Sambhava Jataka are identified as earlier births of some of the Buddha’s most prominent disciples:

• King of Kuru is an earlier birth of Ananda, the Buddha’s close attendant and one of his top disciples.
• Sucirata is an earlier birth of Anuruddha, a cousin of the Buddha and a distinguished disciple.
• Vidhura is an earlier birth of Maha Kassapa, one of the Buddha’s foremost disciples and a leader of the monastic community.
• The eldest son is an earlier birth of Moggallana, another of the Buddha’s chief disciples, known for his mastery of psychic powers.
• The middle son is an earlier birth of Sariputta, one of the Buddha’s closest disciples and known for his wisdom.

Key Themes and Moral Lessons

1. Wisdom and Leadership: The story teaches that a good leader must be a model of righteousness. The king’s desire to understand what constitutes goodness and truth demonstrates his commitment to just rule, but it is the Bodhisatta’s answer that shows the key to true leadership: moral integrity and example.
2. The Power of Right Guidance: The Bodhisatta’s wisdom shines even at a young age, illustrating that wisdom is not bound by age or appearance but is a quality that can arise in any individual who is morally upright. The story highlights how true wisdom can come from unexpected places and is not limited by social standing or age.
3. The Role of Karma in Leadership: The king’s adherence to the Bodhisatta’s advice leads him to a favorable rebirth in heaven, showing that living a virtuous and righteous life, especially for leaders, has long-lasting karmic consequences. This reinforces the Buddhist principle that actions (karma) lead to consequences, whether in this life or the next.
4. The Importance of Virtue in Buddhism: The Bodhisatta’s teachings focus on the need for a king to be virtuous and an example to others, a message that echoes Buddhist teachings on the importance of ethical behavior, moral clarity, and compassion. The Bodhisatta’s wisdom and clarity of mind reflect the kind of insight that leads to enlightenment.
5. Generosity and Gratitude: The people of the city’s reaction to the Bodhisatta’s wisdom—showing him immense respect and showering him with jewels—demonstrates the value placed on wisdom in the Buddhist tradition, where wise individuals are revered and rewarded for their guidance.

Conclusion

The Sambhava Jataka offers a rich narrative that combines themes of wisdom, leadership, and the path to righteousness. Through the Bodhisatta’s answer to the king’s question, the story illustrates that true leadership is not about power or conquest but about moral integrity and the ability to guide others by example. The tale also highlights how wisdom transcends age and societal roles, and how virtuous actions bring about positive karmic outcomes, both in this life and beyond. Ultimately, the Sambhava Jataka teaches that the pursuit of truth and goodness is the foundation of a life well-lived, and that wise, righteous leaders lead not by force but by compassion and moral clarity.