Asampadana Jataka: Generosity and the Cost of Ingratitude

The Asampadana Jataka tells the story of two treasurers, one virtuous and generous, and the other selfish and ungrateful. It highlights the value of kindness, the danger of ingratitude, and the eventual return of good deeds. The story also emphasizes the role of loyalty and the importance of living with integrity, even in times of adversity.

The Story:

In the Asampadana Jataka, the Bodhisatta is born as a royal treasurer, a man of great wealth and influence. He has a close friendship with Piliya, another treasurer from a neighboring kingdom, who is equally wealthy. However, when Piliya falls into misfortune and loses everything, he is left destitute and forced to beg for survival. Upon hearing of his friend’s plight, the Bodhisatta, moved by compassion, gives Piliya half of his fortune—his money, property, livestock, and even his slaves—to help him recover.

Despite the generosity the Bodhisatta shows, the story takes a tragic turn. Shortly afterward, the Bodhisatta himself suffers financial ruin. In his time of need, he seeks help from Piliya, only to be met with rejection. Piliya, having regained his wealth, offers him nothing more than a handful of rice bran and orders him to leave, instructing him never to return. The Bodhisatta’s wife is heartbroken by this ingratitude, and her sorrow moves the story forward.

However, one of the Bodhisatta’s former slaves, who had been given to Piliya as part of the earlier donation, sees the plight of his former masters. The slave, deeply moved by their suffering, approaches them and asks about their troubles. After hearing their story, he takes the Bodhisatta and his wife to his home, where he prepares meals, offers them baths, and provides the care they need. The former slaves, who had been given to Piliya as part of the Bodhisatta’s original gift, are equally outraged by Piliya’s behavior. They march to the palace and demand to see the king.

Once in front of the king, the former slaves explain how Piliya, once the recipient of the Bodhisatta’s great generosity, had refused to help his friend in need. The king, horrified by Piliya’s ingratitude, orders him to return everything he has taken from the Bodhisatta. However, the Bodhisatta, exhibiting great magnanimity and wisdom, insists that he will only take back what he had originally given, neither more nor less.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the Buddha’s time, the Buddha told this story to his disciples to illustrate the nature of ingratitude. Piliya in this tale was an earlier birth of Devadatta, a disciple of the Buddha who later became one of his greatest adversaries. The Buddha, understanding the nature of Devadatta’s character, used this story to demonstrate that Devadatta’s ingratitude and foolishness were not new traits, but had been part of his nature in past lives as well.

The story is used to highlight how Devadatta, in his past life, had displayed the same selfish behavior by repaying kindness with cruelty. The Buddha told this story to show his disciples that Devadatta’s negative qualities had been part of his character for many lifetimes, serving as a lesson on the dangers of ingratitude and the importance of humility.

Moral Lessons:

1. The Value of Generosity: The Bodhisatta’s generosity is at the heart of the story. His willingness to give half of his fortune to Piliya, even though they were both wealthy, reflects the Bodhisatta’s deep compassion and sense of duty toward others. His generosity is shown to be an important virtue, especially in times of prosperity, as it establishes lasting bonds of trust and goodwill.
2. The Consequences of Ingratitude: Piliya’s ingratitude highlights the moral that selfishness and lack of appreciation for the kindness of others can lead to downfall. Despite receiving so much from the Bodhisatta, Piliya’s refusal to help his friend in his time of need ultimately causes him to lose favor with both the Bodhisatta and the king. His character is revealed to be that of someone who is only interested in using others for his own gain.
3. The Return of Good Deeds: The Bodhisatta’s earlier kindness is returned to him, not by Piliya, but by his former slaves. The loyalty and love of those who were once under his care ultimately become the key to his restoration. The story teaches that kindness and generosity are often repaid in unexpected ways, and that the good we do will eventually come back to us, even if not by the person we initially helped.
4. Loyalty and Integrity: The former slaves’ loyalty to their old master and their willingness to help him when he is in need emphasize the importance of loyalty and integrity in relationships. Despite their circumstances, the slaves have not forgotten the Bodhisatta’s kindness, and they take action to ensure that justice is done.
5. Wisdom and Magnanimity in Adversity: The Bodhisatta’s refusal to take back more than he had originally given, despite being wronged, shows his wisdom and magnanimity. He does not seek revenge or attempt to humiliate Piliya, but instead remains generous and fair. This illustrates the value of maintaining one’s dignity and moral principles, even in difficult situations.

Conclusion:

The Asampadana Jataka is a poignant story about the power of generosity, the destructive nature of ingratitude, and the eventual return of kindness. The Bodhisatta, through his wisdom, generosity, and magnanimity, demonstrates the importance of acting with integrity and compassion, even when others may not reciprocate. The story also underscores the value of loyalty and the possibility that good deeds, though unappreciated in the moment, may eventually be repaid in unexpected and meaningful ways.