Bodhisatta’s Wisdom: A Jataka Story of Impermanence and Grief

In this Jataka tale, the Bodhisatta was once a landowner. After his grandfather passed away, the Bodhisatta’s father fell into deep grief and stopped caring for himself. He neglected his meals, his hygiene, and his responsibilities. Seeing his father’s despair, the Bodhisatta knew he had to do something to help him overcome his sorrow.

The Bodhisatta went outside the city and found a dead ox. He placed grass and water in front of the animal and loudly encouraged it to eat and drink, ensuring that many people could see his actions. As expected, news of the Bodhisatta’s strange behavior reached his father, who became concerned for his son’s well-being. Rushing to the Bodhisatta, the father asked what had happened.

The Bodhisatta explained that the dead ox, still possessing a body, had a greater chance of coming back to life than his grandfather, who had been cremated. The message was clear: everything in the world is impermanent, and death is a natural part of life. This realization caused the father to reflect on his own grief, and his sorrow eased as he remembered the truth of impermanence.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha
The Buddha once encountered a landowner who, like the Bodhisatta’s father, was grieving the death of his father. The Buddha, recognizing the man’s readiness for spiritual insight, spoke to him about the nature of impermanence. He explained that those who understand the impermanence of all things do not cling to grief and pain, as they know that all things, including life and death, are transient. The man had a breakthrough in his understanding, and his sorrow was lifted.

Moral:
The story teaches that understanding the impermanence of life helps us overcome our grief and attachment. All things, including our relationships and our lives, are temporary, and accepting this truth allows us to live with greater peace and wisdom.