Bodhisatta and the Drinking Festival: A Lesson in Discipline

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was once an ascetic living in the Himalayas with five hundred followers who were studying under his guidance. During one rainy season, he sent his students down to the city, where they stayed in the royal park at the invitation of the king. The king, informed of their excellent character, welcomed them.However, when the city held a drinking festival, the king sent a large supply of liquor to the students. Despite their ascetic vows, they all got drunk, spending the night dancing and singing. The next morning, feeling deeply ashamed of their behavior, they immediately returned to the mountains.When they told the Bodhisatta what had happened, he reassured them that it was normal for students not living under the direct care of a master to misbehave. He advised them never to repeat such actions and to maintain their discipline and virtue.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This tale has a significant connection to the Buddha’s later life. One of the Buddha’s top disciples, Sagata, who was very adept at magic, had recently pacified a dangerous naga and converted him to respect the dharma. When people heard of this, they wanted to give Sagata special alms, but he asked for nothing.However, some mischievous disciples suggested giving him liquor, and the next day Sagata received a large quantity. He got drunk and passed out along the road. When the Buddha heard some of his disciples discussing Sagata’s transgression, he told them this story to illustrate that it was not the first time people who had renounced the world had gotten drunk.The Bodhisatta’s students in the past life were revealed to be earlier births of the Buddha’s disciples, highlighting the recurring theme of the challenges faced by those on the spiritual path.

Moral

The Surapana Jataka teaches us about the importance of discipline, self-control, and the potential pitfalls of indulgence. The story emphasizes that even those who have renounced worldly life can fall prey to temptations if they are not under the guidance of a wise master. The Bodhisatta’s advice serves as a model for how to handle such lapses and maintain spiritual integrity. This tale underscores the Buddhist principle of mindfulness and the need for constant vigilance in adhering to one’s vows and principles.