The Anusasika Jataka: The Consequences of Greed

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was born as the leader of a large flock of birds. Among his companions, there was one bird who was both brave and deeply greedy. This bird, noticing the grain and food left by wagons along a busy road, found it to be a perfect feeding ground. However, she wanted to keep all the food for herself, so she devised a cunning plan. She warned the other birds of the dangers of feeding on the road, claiming that passing wagons, oxen, horses, and elephants made it a perilous place to be.

Believing her warnings, the other birds stayed away, allowing her to eat to her heart’s content without competition. Yet, the greedy bird’s greed led to her downfall. One day, while she was feeding along the road, a carriage came along and ran her over, ending her life.

When the bird failed to appear for the morning muster, the Bodhisatta sent a few birds to search for her. They found her mangled body and brought the news back to the flock. The Bodhisatta explained that her death was the result of her greed, which had blinded her to the dangers around her.

The Buddha’s Teaching

In the time of the Buddha, one of his disciples, known for her gluttonous nature, took to collecting alms in a part of the city where the wealthier people lived, offering lavish food. Desiring to keep this fine food for herself, she warned the other disciples not to go to that area, claiming it was dangerous because of an elephant, a horse, and a dog that supposedly roamed the streets.

The other disciples, believing her warning, avoided the area, leaving the gluttonous disciple to gather the food. However, one day, while she was collecting alms, she was unexpectedly butted by a ram and broke her leg.

When the Buddha heard the disciples discussing the accident, he told them this Jataka story to explain that her injury was not the first time her greed had caused harm. In a previous life, she had suffered a similar fate due to her deceptive behavior and insatiable desires.

Moral of the Story

The Anusasika Jataka teaches the dangers of greed and the deceit that can accompany it. Just as the greedy bird deceived her companions for selfish gain, the disciple’s gluttony and trickery led to her own misfortune. The Bodhisatta’s wisdom in the story highlights that selfishness and dishonesty, though they may seem to provide short-term benefits, ultimately lead to harm.

The Buddha used this story to remind his disciples that greed not only causes personal suffering but can also affect others. It encourages a path of honesty, selflessness, and mindfulness in all actions.