Bodhisatta’s Wisdom on Revenge and Forgiveness

In this Jataka tale, the Bodhisatta was once a prince whose parents were murdered by a conquering king. Seeking revenge for the death of his parents, the Bodhisatta got himself hired as an assistant to this very king. The Bodhisatta’s ultimate goal was to kill the king, but he needed to bide his time and find the right moment.

One day, while the two were alone in a forest, the Bodhisatta finally seized his opportunity. He grabbed the king by his hair, drew his sword, and declared, “Now I will cut the killer of my parents into fourteen pieces!” But just as he was about to act, he remembered the wise advice of his father, who had counseled against killing. The thought stopped him in his tracks.

Instead of following through with his rage, the Bodhisatta kept the king in fear for a while, but then he decided to set the king free. He handed over his sword, ready to face his death, but he explained that virtue—not wealth or power—was what made life truly good.

Moved by the Bodhisatta’s words, the king’s heart softened. He realized the depth of the prince’s wisdom and integrity. Rather than slaying him, the king swore an oath of friendship, promising never to harm him again. He also returned the Bodhisatta’s father’s kingdom to him and gave his own daughter as a wife to the Bodhisatta.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This story is told in the context of a dispute among the Buddha’s disciples. One disciple, an expert in the scriptures, had inadvertently left a vessel used for rinsing his mouth in a lavatory, and another disciple, an expert in the monastic rules, noticed and reprimanded him for it. The first disciple admitted his mistake and promised to atone, but the second disciple continued to criticize him, saying that he had indeed sinned.

This disagreement spiraled out of control. Supporters of each disciple took sides, and the argument spread among the lay people and even among the gods in heaven, causing a schism. Eventually, the rules-expert disciple excommunicated the other, but the supporters of the second disciple rejected this action.

The Buddha, hearing of this conflict, intervened and tried to mediate by asking the two sides to sit together, alternating their positions, and to reconcile. He told them this story to illustrate how following wise counsel from parents (or elders) can lead to harmony rather than conflict. However, despite the Buddha’s efforts, the disciples did not end their feud.

Frustrated, the Buddha withdrew from the situation, spending three months alone in the forest. During his absence, the laypeople grew disillusioned with the quarreling disciples and stopped supporting them. Eventually, the disciples realized the error of their ways and returned to the Buddha to seek forgiveness, which they received.

Moral of the Story

The moral of this story is about the importance of restraint and wisdom in the face of anger and revenge. Just as the Bodhisatta remembered his father’s advice and chose not to act on his desire for vengeance, the story teaches that one should be guided by virtue and compassion, even in moments of deep personal hurt.

In the context of the Buddha’s disciples, the story serves as a lesson in how petty disputes and pride can tear communities apart. It emphasizes the need for humility, forgiveness, and peace, as well as the wisdom to avoid conflicts before they escalate.

Connection to Buddhist Practice

The story is a reminder to Buddhists that wisdom and restraint are critical in maintaining harmony, both in personal relationships and within the broader community. Just as the Bodhisatta’s choice to forgive the king led to peace and restoration, followers of the Buddha are encouraged to resolve conflicts peacefully, avoid vengeance, and seek reconciliation rather than division.

The Buddha’s frustration with the disciples who continued to argue shows the dangers of pride and attachment to one’s position. When one allows ego or self-righteousness to dominate, it can cause harm to both oneself and others.