Bodhisatta Jataka: The Selfless Hare and the Power of Generosity

In a time long past, the Bodhisatta, in the form of a humble hare, lived deep in the forest, surrounded by three loyal companions: a monkey, a jackal, and an otter. Though they were very different creatures, they shared a common bond—they sought wisdom and guidance from the Bodhisatta, who often spoke to them of virtue, kindness, and the rewards of selfless giving.

One evening, as a holy day approached, the Bodhisatta reminded his friends of the great merit that comes from giving to those in need. “On this auspicious day,” he said, “let us all offer food to any beggars who may cross our path. In giving, we receive much more in return.” The animals, eager to do good, set out at dawn to gather food for the day.

The otter found a string of seven fish buried by a fisherman in the sand, the jackal took a lizard and jar of curds from an abandoned hut, and the monkey gathered ripe mangoes from the trees. But the Bodhisatta, who subsisted only on grass, could find no food to offer. Yet, determined to fulfill his vow, he resolved that if no other offering was possible, he would give his own body to the cause.

High in the heavens, the throne of Indra, king of the gods, began to glow with warmth. Indra, sensing the Bodhisatta’s selfless vow, descended to earth disguised as a wandering Brahmin priest. He sought out each of the animals in turn, testing their generosity. He asked the otter for food, and the otter offered the fish. He asked the jackal, and the jackal offered the lizard and curds. He asked the monkey, and the monkey offered the mangoes. But when he approached the Bodhisatta, the hare joyfully agreed to give whatever he could, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

“Prepare a fire,” the Bodhisatta said, “and I will offer myself to the flames.”

Indra did as instructed, and the Bodhisatta leapt into the fire with the grace of a swan landing on a bed of lotus flowers. But to his amazement, no flames touched him. Indra, now revealing his true divine form, spoke to the Bodhisatta. “I have come to test your virtue, and I am pleased to see that your heart is as pure as you have promised. You would have given yourself even to the lowliest beggar. For this, your selflessness shall be remembered for all time.”

In a moment of divine power, Indra squeezed a mountain and used its essence to create a radiant image of the hare on the moon—a symbol of the Bodhisatta’s boundless generosity for all to see.

A Lesson in Generosity: The Buddha’s Wisdom
Many years later, as the Buddha sat with his disciples, a wealthy landowner generously offered the Buddha and his followers food and robes. On the seventh day of his offerings, the Buddha praised his actions, explaining that such deeds were truly commendable. To help the man understand the depth of his own generosity, the Buddha shared the story of his past life as the selfless hare.

The Buddha then revealed that the otter, the jackal, and the monkey were his closest disciples in this lifetime—Ananda, Moggallana, and Sariputta—who, like the Bodhisatta, embodied compassion and virtue. Through this tale, the Buddha taught the man and his disciples that the joy of giving is timeless, and that selfless acts, no matter how small, create ripples of goodness that extend far beyond our lifetime.

Moral of the Story:
True generosity comes from the heart, and even the smallest act of kindness has the power to leave a lasting impact on the world. Whether in the form of food, kindness, or self-sacrifice, giving without expectation is a noble path toward spiritual growth.