The Bodhisatta’s Devotion: A Jataka Story of Compassion

In this Jataka story, the Bodhisatta was born as a magnificent deer, admired for his beauty and grace. He led a large herd of eighty thousand deer, including his devoted mate, who was equally beautiful. One day, while wandering the forest, the Bodhisatta stepped into a hunter’s snare. Despite his strength and agility, he was unable to escape. In a moment of fear, he cried out, which caused the rest of the herd to flee in panic. However, his mate, filled with loyalty and love, stayed behind to help him.

When the hunter arrived and saw the deer trapped, the doe spoke to him, explaining the Bodhisatta’s virtues and begging the hunter to take her life instead of her mate’s. The hunter, astonished that the doe could speak, and even more amazed by her devotion, reflected that even humans would rarely sacrifice themselves for others, let alone for an animal. Moved by her selflessness, the hunter decided to spare both the Bodhisatta and the doe.

To express his gratitude, the Bodhisatta gave the hunter a magical jewel he had once found in the forest. He told the hunter that by using this jewel, he could provide for his family, live a comfortable life, and perform acts of generosity, without ever needing to kill another living being. The hunter was instructed to lead a life of kindness and compassion, sparing the lives of others and engaging in wholesome deeds.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha
In the Buddha’s lifetime, the doe was an earlier incarnation of a woman whose parents were devout followers of Sariputta and Moggallana, two of the Buddha’s foremost disciples. She was married to a man from a non-Buddhist family, but with the understanding that she could continue practicing her religion freely. Despite her non-Buddhist household, she remained steadfast in her faith, giving alms and supporting the Buddha’s disciples. Over time, her husband became deeply impressed by the teachings of Sariputta and Moggallana, who often visited their home. Eventually, her husband embraced Buddhism and, in time, his entire family followed his lead, including servants and parents. The couple both ordained as monks and achieved arahantship.

When the Buddha learned of their story, he shared it with his disciples, explaining that in this life, the woman had liberated her husband from the bondage of craving and suffering, and in the past life, she had saved him from certain death through her devotion and compassion.

The Hunter
The hunter in this story was an earlier incarnation of Channa, the charioteer of Prince Siddhartha (the future Buddha). Channa later became a disciple of the Buddha, and through his own practice, he reached enlightenment.

Moral:
The story underscores the transformative power of devotion and compassion, illustrating that true love and selflessness can have a profound impact, not only in this life but across lifetimes. The Bodhisatta’s and the doe’s actions exemplify how self-sacrifice and kindness can lead to liberation from suffering. Additionally, the story shows that even those involved in harmful acts, like the hunter, can change their ways and achieve greatness through the guidance of compassion and wisdom. The gift of the magical jewel symbolizes how generosity and virtuous actions can lead to happiness, not through wealth or power, but through a life of kindness and spiritual practice.