Bodhisatta and the Corrupt Headman: A Lesson in Integrity

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was once a merchant living in a village. The king had appointed one of his advisors to oversee this village. When it was time to collect taxes, the village headman, who was actually the appointed advisor, made a deceitful deal with a band of thieves. In exchange for half of the loot, the headman agreed to lead the village men on a short expedition into the forest, allowing the thieves to pillage the village without any resistance.After the thieves had raided the village, killing cattle, burning down houses, and taking everything of value, the headman marched back into town feigning ignorance about what had happened. However, the Bodhisatta, who was aware of the headman’s treachery, heaped scorn on him as he returned.Soon after, the king learned about the advisor’s nefarious actions and had him brought back to the palace to be punished for his betrayal.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This tale has a significant connection to the Buddha’s later life. A king visiting the Buddha told him a similar story about how he had appointed one of his advisors as the headman of a border village. When it came time to collect taxes, this headman schemed with a band of thieves. In exchange for half the loot, he marched the village’s men into the forest for one day, allowing the thieves to plunder the unprotected village. The thieves caused significant destruction, killing cattle, burning down houses, and taking everything of value before escaping.However, the advisor’s role in the scheme soon became known, and the king punished him for his treachery.The Buddha told the king this story to illustrate that in an earlier birth, this same village headman had committed a similar act of betrayal against a different king. This narrative highlighted the recurring pattern of the headman’s corrupt behavior across different lifetimes.

Moral

The Kharassara Jataka teaches us about the consequences of corruption and betrayal. The story emphasizes the importance of integrity and honesty in leadership positions. The Bodhisatta’s actions serve as a model for how to expose and condemn deceitful behavior, while the headman’s fate serves as a warning against engaging in such treachery. This tale underscores the Buddhist principle of karma, where wrong actions lead to negative consequences, and the importance of ethical governance.