Dalhadhamma Jataka: The Importance of Gratitude and Respect

In the Dalhadhamma Jataka, the Bodhisatta is born as a king’s top advisor. The king owns a mighty elephant, which has served as a powerful messenger, traveling vast distances and crushing enemies in battle. In recognition of her strength and valor, the king honors the elephant, adorning her and treating her as a treasure. However, as the elephant grows old and weak, the king, forgetting her past service, takes away her luxuries and forces her to fend for herself in the forest.

Later, the king’s palace faces a shortage of pottery, and the potter explains that he cannot increase production because he lacks oxen to transport the cow dung needed for the kilns. The king, in an effort to solve this problem, gives the retired elephant to the potter to use for hauling the dung.

One day, while working for the potter, the elephant sees the Bodhisatta and, overwhelmed with sorrow, falls at his feet. She laments her miserable fate, begging the Bodhisatta to convince the king to restore her former honor. The Bodhisatta, moved by her plight, promises to help.

The next morning, the Bodhisatta approaches the king and reminds him of the elephant’s past service—how she had traveled great distances as a messenger, fought in battles, and contributed greatly to the kingdom. He rebukes the king for being ungrateful and selfish, urging him to show the elephant the respect she deserves for her past deeds. Moved by the Bodhisatta’s words, the king realizes his mistake. He not only orders the elephant to be brought back to the palace but also vows to dedicate himself to giving alms and performing good deeds as a way of expressing his newfound gratitude.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:
The story of the elephant in this past life mirrors a similar situation. The elephant had once been highly honored and respected in the king’s palace, where she was treated with great care—her stall was decorated with rich hangings, perfumed with incense, and she was fed the finest foods. When she could no longer serve the king in the same way, she was cast aside and left to roam the forest.

One morning, the elephant sees the Buddha walking through the city for alms and, recognizing him, falls at his feet. She begs the Buddha to convince the king to restore her honor, as she had once been treated with great respect. The Buddha, understanding the situation, goes directly to the palace. There, he tells the king that it is wrong to revoke a servant’s honor once it has been earned. He reminds the king of the elephant’s great service to the kingdom and the respect she had once enjoyed. The king, humbled by the Buddha’s wisdom, agrees to restore the elephant’s former status and brings her back to the palace, treating her with honor once more.

When the Buddha’s disciples discuss this event, the Buddha recounts the Dalhadhamma Jataka to them. He explains that in a previous life, he himself had helped the elephant regain her honor, emphasizing the importance of showing respect and gratitude for those who serve us, regardless of their current situation.

The king in this story is identified as an earlier birth of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s closest disciples. The elephant is an earlier incarnation of the Buddha’s own elephant, who had also been treated with great honor.

Moral of the Story:
The Dalhadhamma Jataka teaches the value of gratitude and respect for those who have served us, especially in times of need. The king’s treatment of the elephant demonstrates how easy it is to forget the contributions of others once they can no longer offer the same services. The Buddha’s intervention highlights the importance of recognizing the past merits of individuals, regardless of their current state. True gratitude is not based on what others can give us in the present, but on honoring their past contributions.

The moral also touches on the impermanence of life and the idea that we should not discard those who once served us simply because their circumstances have changed. The story encourages kindness, respect, and gratitude as essential virtues for maintaining harmonious relationships and a compassionate society.

Key Takeaways from the Jataka:

• Gratitude and Respect: We must honor and show gratitude for those who have served us, even when they can no longer provide the same services.
• Impermanence and Service: Life is ever-changing, and those who once had power or ability may eventually face difficult circumstances. True honor lies in recognizing their past merits, not in their current capabilities.
• Buddha’s Wisdom in Action: Through the Buddha’s guidance, we learn that right action is rooted in compassion and the recognition of the intrinsic worth of all beings.

The Dalhadhamma Jataka serves as a reminder that true gratitude is rooted in understanding the value of others beyond their current abilities or usefulness. It underscores the importance of treating all beings with respect, honor, and compassion, regardless of their present circumstances.