The Conch-Blower and the Thieves: Samkhadhamana Jataka

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was once a village conch-blower. As a young boy, he traveled with his father to play at a festival in the city, where they earned a significant amount of money. On their return home, they had to pass through a forest infested with thieves.To ensure their safety, the Bodhisatta advised his father not to blow the conch shell continuously. Instead, he suggested playing it only occasionally, so that any thieves hearing the conch would assume a large group, possibly with an important lord, was passing by. However, the father felt he knew better and ignored his son’s advice.When the thieves heard the conch shell being blown nonstop, they realized it was not a grand procession but just two people walking. The thieves then went to investigate and, finding only the two of them, robbed them of all their money. This misfortune occurred because of the father’s refusal to follow the Bodhisatta’s wise counsel.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This tale has a significant connection to the Buddha’s later life. The father in the story was an earlier birth of an obstinate disciple of the Buddha. When the Buddha learned that this disciple was not following his advice, he told him this story to illustrate that his refusal to follow guidance had previously led to misfortune.By sharing this story, the Buddha aimed to teach the disciple the importance of listening to wise counsel and the potential consequences of ignoring good advice. This narrative highlighted the recurring pattern of the disciple’s behavior and the need for obedience and wisdom in avoiding harm.

Moral

The Samkhadhamana Jataka teaches us about the importance of listening to advice and the dangers of excess or foolish behavior. The story emphasizes that ignoring wise counsel can lead to misfortune, while following good advice can ensure safety and success. The Bodhisatta’s strategy serves as a model for how to handle potentially dangerous situations with prudence and caution. This tale underscores the Buddhist principle of the value of wisdom, obedience, and careful planning in navigating life’s challenges.