Bodhisatta and Poor Man: A Tale of Generosity and Reward

In a distant past, the Bodhisatta was born as a tree fairy residing in a castor-oil tree. During a local festival, villagers brought offerings to the tree fairies they worshipped, each gift varying in opulence. The Bodhisatta, like other fairies, was presented with garlands, perfumes, and fancy cakes—tokens of devotion that reflected the wealth and status of their givers.

However, one poor man, unable to afford anything more than rice husk powder and water, brought his humble offering—a simple cake. Ashamed of its meager composition, he assumed his gift would be rejected and thought it best to eat the cake himself rather than present it. As he prepared to eat the cake in private, the Bodhisatta materialized before him and accepted the offering with gratitude. The Bodhisatta assured the man that all offerings were valued according to the circumstances of the giver. With these kind words, the Bodhisatta ate the humble cake and asked the man why he worshipped him.

The man explained that he hoped his poverty would someday be eased, and the Bodhisatta, moved by his sincerity, revealed a hidden treasure. He told the man that pots of treasure were buried nearby, and if he took them to the king, the monarch would be so pleased that he would appoint the man as treasurer. The man followed the advice, and just as the Bodhisatta had predicted, his fortunes changed. The treasure was uncovered, and the king, impressed by his honesty and fortune, made the poor man his royal treasurer.

The Buddha’s Teaching

In the time of the Buddha, a poor man came to offer a humble bran cake to the Buddha, much like the poor man in the story. He had no wealth, but he wanted to offer his gift directly to the Buddha. Standing before the master, the man placed his simple offering in the Buddha’s alms bowl, and the Buddha accepted it, refusing anything else that morning.

The other people who had brought larger offerings were impressed by the Buddha’s acceptance of the humble cake. They offered the poor man great sums of money, hoping to share in the merit he had earned by giving so selflessly. The man asked the Buddha what he should do with the newfound wealth, and the Buddha advised him to accept the gifts. The poor man became rich, and soon after, the king appointed him as royal treasurer, just as the Bodhisatta had foretold in his earlier birth.

When the Buddha heard his disciples discussing the events of the day, he shared this story from the Kundakapuva Jataka to show that it was not the first time the poor man had received his humble gift. In a previous life, the same man had made his offering to the Bodhisatta, who had also helped him achieve great wealth and success, just as the Buddha had done in the present.

Reflection and Wisdom

The story of the Kundakapuva Jataka teaches us several valuable lessons. First, it emphasizes that the true worth of an offering lies not in its material value, but in the sincerity and devotion behind it. The Bodhisatta’s acceptance of the poor man’s humble cake demonstrates that kindness and respect for others’ circumstances are essential qualities in the spiritual life.

Additionally, the tale reminds us that generosity, even in small forms, can lead to unexpected rewards. The poor man’s simple offering, given from the heart, ultimately changed his life for the better, showing that acts of faith and devotion—no matter how modest—are never wasted.

Finally, the story of the poor man becoming treasurer, first through the Bodhisatta’s guidance and later through the Buddha’s, serves as a reminder that wisdom, compassion, and generosity have the power to transform lives, sometimes in ways we could never predict.