Culla-Sutasoma Jataka: Renouncing Worldly Life

The Culla-Sutasoma Jataka (Jataka #525) is a story about the renunciation of a righteous king who, upon reaching a certain stage in his life, decides to leave behind the material comforts and responsibilities of kingship to pursue a spiritual path. This Jataka emphasizes the themes of impermanence, detachment, and the importance of renunciation as a step toward attaining true happiness and enlightenment. It mirrors the Buddha’s own journey of renouncing the worldly life in order to seek spiritual liberation.

The Plot

The King’s Decision to Renounce the Throne

In this story, the Bodhisatta is born as a righteous king. He rules justly and is content with his reign. However, as time passes, he begins to feel a deep dissatisfaction with his worldly life. His desire for spiritual fulfillment grows stronger, and he decides to renounce the throne to pursue a life of asceticism in the Himalayas.

The king had previously instructed his barber to inform him when the first grey hair appeared on his head, which would serve as a sign that the time for renunciation had come. Upon seeing the grey hair, the king immediately takes action. He gathers his eighty thousand advisors and sixty thousand brahmins and announces his intention to leave the throne and embark on a religious life. Everyone is distressed by his decision, and they beg him to reconsider, but the king remains resolute.

The King’s Family’s Plea

As the king prepares to leave, members of his family and close companions come to dissuade him from renouncing the world. His parents plead with him to stay for the sake of his family, but the king explains that he must follow his spiritual calling. His seven hundred wives ask him not to abandon them, but he tells them that although he feels pity for their sorrow, his desire for heavenly bliss outweighs these concerns.

His chief queen, who is pregnant with their child, asks him to wait until after the birth. The king agrees to this request and stays until the child is born. However, when his seven-year-old son tries to stop him from leaving, the king has the boy taken away by his nanny, not wanting his son to interfere with his decision.

Even the commander-in-chief, concerned about the kingdom’s financial stability, offers assurances that the royal treasury is full, but the king is not swayed by material wealth. A wealthy merchant also offers him a fortune, but the king declines, stating that he has no interest in worldly riches.

The King’s Final Departure

Finally, the time comes for the Bodhisatta to leave the throne. He passes the crown to his younger brother, who is reluctant to take it. The Bodhisatta gives a final lecture to his people on the impermanence of all things, reminding them that life is fleeting, much like water slipping through a sieve, and that desire is the root of suffering.

The king throws off his royal robes, shaves his head, and takes up the traditional bowl and staff of an ascetic. As he walks away from the palace, the entire city begs him to stay. Despite their pleas, the Bodhisatta remains unwavering in his decision. As he leaves, an immense procession follows him out of the city, with the people leaving their belongings behind. This exodus extends for twelve leagues, leaving the city nearly deserted.

The Construction of the Monastery

Indra, the king of the gods, observes the Bodhisatta’s departure and sends Vissakamma, the chief builder of heaven, to create a monastery for the Bodhisatta and his followers. The monastery is thirty leagues long and five leagues wide, filled with everything needed for ascetic practice, including magically-bearing trees that provide a variety of fruits. Vissakamma also uses his powers to ensure that the area is safe by banishing harmful spirits, dangerous beasts, and unpleasant sounds.

From this point, the Bodhisatta educates his followers in the ways of ascetic life, and his new community flourishes in their spiritual practices, far removed from the distractions of worldly life.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the Buddha’s time, the Bodhisatta’s father, mother, chief queen, and young son were identified as earlier births of the Buddha’s own father, birth mother, wife, and son. The younger brother, commander-in-chief, wealthy merchant, and seven-year-old son were earlier births of Sariputta, Moggallana, Maha Kassapa, and Ananda, four of the Buddha’s top disciples. The nanny who helped take the boy away was an earlier birth of Khujjuttara, one of the Buddha’s top female lay supporters.

The Buddha used this story as an example to illustrate his own Great Renunciation, which marked the beginning of his path to enlightenment. The Bodhisatta’s renunciation in this past life paralleled the Buddha’s decision to leave his own family and worldly life in pursuit of spiritual liberation.

Conclusion

The Culla-Sutasoma Jataka is a powerful narrative about the nature of detachment and the impermanence of worldly life. Through the Bodhisatta’s renunciation of the throne and his journey into the forest, the story teaches that true spiritual fulfillment comes not from material wealth or family ties, but from inner peace and the pursuit of enlightenment. It also highlights the importance of impermanence and the transitory nature of all things, urging people to look beyond attachments to find lasting happiness and liberation.

The Bodhisatta’s example serves as an inspiration for those who wish to follow the spiritual path, reminding them that renunciation is not about fleeing responsibilities but about choosing a higher calling and prioritizing the pursuit of eternal truth over the fleeting pleasures of the material world.