Bodhisatta’s Wisdom: A Jataka Story of Impermanence

In this Jataka story, the Bodhisatta was a wise and virtuous farmer who lived harmoniously with his family, teaching them about giving alms, observing holy days, following moral law, and remembering the impermanence of all things. One day, while working in the fields, his son, in an act of thoughtless curiosity, set a fire to some rubbish. The smoke from the fire disturbed a nearby snake, causing it to bite the son, and the boy died instantly.

The Bodhisatta, in a calm and composed manner, placed his son’s body under a tree and went back to his work, without shedding a tear. When a neighbor passed by, the Bodhisatta sent a message to his wife to prepare only one lunch for him instead of two and to have the women dress nicely and bring flowers and perfumes. His wife understood the message and, without any sign of grief, followed his instructions.

After finishing his lunch, the Bodhisatta and his family built a funeral pyre, offered the flowers and perfumes to the gods, and burned the body. There was no sorrow or outward display of emotion, only a serene acceptance of the inevitable nature of life and death. This calm and virtuous behavior caught the attention of Indra, the king of the gods, who was so delighted by their understanding and composure that he took human form and appeared beside the pyre.

Indra asked the Bodhisatta why he wasn’t grieving, and the Bodhisatta explained that death is a natural part of life and that the dead cannot perceive mourning. Indra then asked the others about their lack of sorrow, and they all shared similar sentiments. Impressed by their wisdom and deep understanding of the impermanence of life, Indra blessed them with great wealth, filling their home with precious jewels, and promised that they would never need to work again. He also advised them to continue living their virtuous lives.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha
One day, the Buddha noticed that a landowner, who was deeply grieved over the loss of his son, was ripe for a spiritual breakthrough. The Buddha visited him and explained the concept of impermanence, teaching him that there is no point in grieving because all things are transient. The Buddha then shared this story from his past to illustrate that he, too, had once experienced the death of a son without sorrow. This teaching helped the landowner achieve a spiritual breakthrough.

Moral:
The story of the Bodhisatta’s response to his son’s death teaches us the profound wisdom of accepting the impermanence of life. By understanding that all things, including life itself, are temporary, one can free oneself from the pain of loss. This acceptance leads to peace of mind, emotional resilience, and the ability to live virtuously without being overly attached to the transient nature of the world.