Samkicca Jataka: Redemption and Righteousness

The Samkicca Jataka illustrates themes of evil, regret, and redemption. It focuses on the Bodhisatta’s role in guiding a king who had committed a grievous sin (murdering his father) to repentance and spiritual peace. Through vivid descriptions of the consequences of wrong actions and the rewards of righteous living, the Bodhisatta helps the king to understand the importance of moral conduct and the possibility of redemption.

The Plot

The Bodhisatta’s Early Life

In this past life, the Bodhisatta was born as an ascetic after first being the son of the king’s chaplain. He was close friends with the crown prince, who confided in him about his plan to assassinate his father, the king, in order to take the throne. The Bodhisatta tried to dissuade the prince, warning him that such an action would lead him to a terrible fate, resulting in rebirth in hell. However, the prince, influenced by his servants and advisors, refused to listen. Realizing that he could not prevent the tragic course of events, the Bodhisatta decided to leave the palace. He retreated to the Himalayas to live as an ascetic, subsisting on roots and berries in solitude.

The Prince’s Sin and Regret

The prince carried out his plan and murdered his father to seize the throne. For a time, he enjoyed the luxuries of kingship, but the weight of his crime soon took a toll on his peace of mind. He lived in constant regret and unease, feeling as though he were already in hell despite his newfound power. His kingdom, once peaceful, was now plagued by his inner turmoil.

The Bodhisatta’s Return

Fifty years after the prince’s regicide, the Bodhisatta decided to return to the kingdom. With five hundred fellow ascetics, he flew through the air and landed in a park near the king’s palace. The king, hearing of the arrival of such a distinguished group, was summoned and approached the Bodhisatta. The king, now a troubled and regretful ruler, greeted the Bodhisatta with praise and asked him what awaited him after death.

The Bodhisatta’s Teaching

The Bodhisatta, understanding the king’s suffering, began to tell him graphic stories of the horrors of hell. He described various tortures that await those who live a life of wickedness:

• Fire consuming evildoers.
• Forcing them to eat filth.
• Birds that devour their tongues.
• The stench of carrion they are forced to inhale.
• Enormous worms with iron mouths eating them.

As the Bodhisatta painted a vivid and terrifying picture of these hellish realms, the king began to feel the weight of his own sins. But the Bodhisatta did not stop there; he also described the blissful realms of heaven, where righteous people go after death, showing the king that there is always time to change one’s ways.

He taught the king that every good deed earns merit and that it is never too late to start walking the path of virtue and righteousness. The Bodhisatta emphasized that, by making a sincere effort to do good, one can escape the torment of hell and earn a favorable rebirth.

The King’s Redemption

Upon hearing these teachings, the king’s heart was filled with peace. He understood the gravity of his past actions and was moved by the possibility of redemption. The king decided to turn his life around, and for the rest of his reign, he lived according to the principles of righteousness. His behavior transformed; he became a generous and virtuous ruler, and his fear of hell and torment gradually disappeared.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the Buddha’s time, King Ajatasattu, who had also committed the grievous sin of patricide (murdering his father), was filled with fear and guilt for his past actions. He had supported the wicked Devadatta, who opposed the Buddha, and at Devadatta’s urging, had killed his father, King Bimbisara, to secure the throne.

After Devadatta was swallowed by the earth into the flames of hell for his evil deeds, King Ajatasattu feared that he too would share the same fate. In his terror, he sought the Buddha for guidance. The Buddha received him warmly, without any mention of his past misdeeds. The Buddha then spoke to him about the benefits of a simple life, free from attachment, and how one could overcome the effects of bad karma by practicing virtue.

Moved by the Buddha’s words, King Ajatasattu repented for his past actions and dedicated himself to the dharma. He began to live a life of generosity and righteousness, associated with good people, and his fear of retribution disappeared.

When the Buddha heard his disciples discussing how King Ajatasattu had found peace, he told them this story to demonstrate how even a king who had committed such a heinous crime in the past could find redemption through right effort and spiritual practice.

The Five Hundred Ascetics

The five hundred ascetics who followed the Bodhisatta in the Samkicca Jataka were earlier births of the Buddha’s followers. They had joined the Bodhisatta in his journey and were, in their past lives, devoted disciples who had renounced worldly life for spiritual awakening.

Themes and Moral Lessons

1. The Consequences of Evil Actions: The Jataka highlights the terrible consequences of wrong actions, such as murder, showing that actions rooted in greed and desire lead to suffering, both in this life and the next. The vivid descriptions of hell serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of evil deeds.
2. The Power of Redemption: Despite the prince’s grievous sin, the Bodhisatta teaches that it is never too late to change one’s path. By choosing to do good, even a person who has committed serious wrongs can earn merit and transform their future.
3. The Importance of Righteous Living: The Bodhisatta’s teachings on the possibility of earning merit through good deeds emphasize the Buddhist value of right action and the importance of leading a life rooted in virtue, compassion, and wisdom.
4. The Role of Spiritual Guidance: The story emphasizes the transformative power of spiritual guidance. The Bodhisatta’s compassionate intervention helps the king find peace of mind, and his teachings on the impermanence of life and the possibility of redemption inspire the king to change his ways.
5. Forgiveness and Repentance: The king’s journey from guilt and fear to peace and righteousness shows the importance of forgiveness, repentance, and making a commitment to live a life of moral integrity.
6. Spiritual Liberation and Renunciation: As with many Jatakas, the theme of renunciation of worldly pleasures in favor of spiritual liberation is central. The Bodhisatta, as an ascetic, serves as a model of detachment from worldly desires and dedication to spiritual growth.

Conclusion

The Samkicca Jataka teaches that redemption is always possible through good deeds, right effort, and spiritual awakening. It offers a compelling narrative about moral responsibility, repentance, and the transformative power of righteous living, showing that even a king who has committed a grave sin can find peace by turning toward the path of virtue.