Bodhisatta and Merchant: A Tale of Quick Thinking

Once, in a time long ago, the Bodhisatta was born as a prosperous merchant, traveling with his caravan to collect earnings from a distant village. As he journeyed home, a group of thieves appeared on the road, their eyes fixed on the wealth he carried. Sensing danger, the merchant swiftly urged his oxen into a full gallop, racing to safety. With his heart pounding, he managed to reach home unharmed, thankful for his quick thinking and the swiftness of his oxen.

The Buddha’s Teaching

In the time of the Buddha, a wealthy and generous supporter of the Buddha, Anathapindika, faced a similar situation. While returning from a village, he too encountered a band of thieves. Without hesitation, he urged his oxen to hurry, and just like the merchant in the past, he reached home safely, avoiding any harm.

Later, Anathapindika recounted this experience to the Buddha, who shared with him the story of the Bodhisatta in his past life, reinforcing the idea that such narrow escapes were not coincidental, but part of the karmic journey. The Buddha did not reveal the identities of any others in this story except for his own past self, suggesting that these experiences were unique to his path of wisdom and moral development.

This tale from the Veri Jataka reminds us that actions of wisdom and quick thinking can guide us to safety, and that the events in our lives may have deeper connections to past actions and spiritual growth.