Candabha Jataka: Meditation and Spiritual Wisdom

The Candabha Jataka recounts another important moment from the Bodhisatta’s past life, focusing on meditation and the potential for rebirth in higher realms. The Bodhisatta, in his final moments, uttered the words, “Moonlight and sunlight.” These cryptic words were interpreted by his chief disciple, who explained that the sun and moon, when used as meditation subjects, could lead to rebirth in a high heavenly realm between earthly lives. The other disciples, however, did not understand, and the Bodhisatta himself descended from heaven to confirm the wisdom of his chief disciple’s interpretation.

The Story:

In this Jataka, the Bodhisatta was an ascetic on his deathbed. His dying words were simple yet enigmatic: “Moonlight and sunlight.” These words puzzled his disciples, and they were unsure of their meaning. The chief disciple, however, was wise and immediately offered his interpretation. He explained that if a person meditated on the sun and moon, using them as subjects of meditation, they would be reborn in a high heavenly realm between their earthly lives. This insight was based on the belief that the qualities of light, purity, and transcendence associated with the sun and moon symbolized a higher, purified state of being.

Despite the chief disciple’s clear explanation, the other disciples were not convinced and questioned his interpretation. To resolve the confusion and confirm the truth, the Bodhisatta, who had already passed away and was residing in a higher realm, descended from heaven to speak with the disciples. He confirmed that the chief disciple’s explanation was correct and that meditating on the sun and moon indeed leads to rebirth in a high, blissful heavenly realm.

Once the Bodhisatta’s descent was complete and his message was delivered, he returned to his heavenly realm, leaving the disciples to reflect on the wisdom imparted by his chief disciple.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the time of the Buddha, the chief disciple who had interpreted the Bodhisatta’s final words was Sāriputta, one of the Buddha’s foremost disciples. Sāriputta was known for his ability to explain the Buddha’s teachings with clarity and precision. After one of his successful interpretations of the Buddha’s teachings, the Buddha told this story to the other disciples to show that Sāriputta had demonstrated this same skill in past lives as well.

Through this story, the Buddha highlighted Sāriputta’s consistency and wisdom in both his current life and his previous lives, emphasizing the continuity of spiritual progress and insight across lifetimes.

Moral Lessons:

1. The Power of Meditation: The Candabha Jataka underscores the importance of meditation in spiritual practice. The sun and moon, as subjects of meditation, represent the transcendence of worldly desires and the cultivation of clarity and purity of mind. Meditating on these celestial bodies can elevate the mind and lead to a higher state of existence, such as rebirth in a heavenly realm.
2. The Role of a Wise Teacher: The chief disciple’s interpretation of the Bodhisatta’s final words highlights the importance of having wise teachers who can explain spiritual concepts clearly and correctly. In the case of the Candabha Jataka, the chief disciple’s wisdom ensured that the Bodhisatta’s message was understood and passed on to future generations.
3. Faith in the Wisdom of the Teacher: The Bodhisatta’s confirmation of the chief disciple’s interpretation serves as a reminder that, in spiritual practice, faith in the wisdom of a teacher can help guide one to understanding. Although the other disciples were initially skeptical, the Bodhisatta’s descent and confirmation reinforced the importance of trusting in wise guidance.
4. The Continuity of Wisdom Across Lifetimes: This Jataka illustrates the continuity of wisdom across lifetimes. Just as the Bodhisatta’s chief disciple demonstrated wisdom in his present life, he had already shown the same qualities in past lives. This suggests that the qualities of insight and wisdom are cultivated over time and can be carried forward into future lives.
5. Simplicity of Dying Words: The Bodhisatta’s final words, although simple, were deeply meaningful. This teaches that even the most seemingly straightforward expressions can contain profound teachings, and it is important to approach such words with mindfulness and openness to understanding their deeper meaning.

Conclusion:

The Candabha Jataka is a story that emphasizes the significance of meditation as a means to transcend worldly suffering and attain a higher state of existence. It illustrates the wisdom of the chief disciple, who is able to interpret and clarify profound teachings, and highlights the continuity of wisdom across lifetimes. The story also reinforces the importance of trusting in the guidance of wise teachers and meditating on the deeper truths of existence. Through the Bodhisatta’s final words and the subsequent confirmation of the chief disciple’s wisdom, the Candabha Jataka invites reflection on the transformative power of meditation, the enduring nature of wisdom, and the potential for spiritual progress across multiple lifetimes.