The Determined Scholar: A Lesson in Hard Work and Knowledge

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was born as the son of a royal chaplain. His family had held a prestigious role for seven generations—managing the king’s grand elephant festival, a position that made them both wealthy and respected. By the time the Bodhisatta turned sixteen, he had yet to study the sacred Vedas or master the lore of elephants. His father, however, had taught him much, and the time to lead the upcoming festival was fast approaching.

Before the Bodhisatta could prepare, his father passed away, and the festival was only days away. Greedy brahmin priests, eager to claim the festival leadership for themselves, convinced the king that the Bodhisatta was unqualified and unprepared. The king, trusting their words, allowed the brahmins to take over the event, leaving the Bodhisatta’s family in despair.

When his mother learned that the festival would happen in just four days, she was heartbroken. The only teacher who could help the Bodhisatta was in Taxila, a city two thousand leagues away. She feared they would lose their ancestral occupation and fall into poverty. But the Bodhisatta, determined to uphold his family’s honor, refused to give up. The very next morning, he set off on foot for Taxila.

Despite the vast distance, the Bodhisatta traveled the entire journey in a single day. He arrived exhausted but resolute, explaining his urgent situation to the teacher. He begged the master to teach him everything about elephants and the three Vedas in just one day. Impressed by the Bodhisatta’s determination, the master agreed. The Bodhisatta spent the entire day and night learning, absorbing all the knowledge the teacher had to offer.

Before dawn the following day, the Bodhisatta hurried home. The brahmins and the royal court had already gathered for the festival, with a hundred elephants adorned in golden trimmings. The king, dressed in his finest, was ready to begin the ceremony. The Bodhisatta approached the king, asking whether he truly intended to give away his family’s ancestral rights, as the brahmins had claimed he lacked the necessary knowledge.

When the king expressed doubt, saying he had been told the Bodhisatta was unqualified, the Bodhisatta confidently declared that no one in India knew the three Vedas and elephant lore better than he did. With his commanding presence and deep knowledge, he challenged anyone to question his expertise. No one dared to oppose him, and so the Bodhisatta led the festival that morning, restoring his family’s rightful honor.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

Many years later, some citizens of a city gathered to offer alms. While some wanted to give their donations to heretical teachers, the majority chose to donate to the Buddha. That evening, some of the Buddha’s disciples were discussing the great honor of receiving the offerings. The Buddha, overhearing their conversation, shared this story with them. He explained that it was not the first time followers of heretics had tried to take what was rightfully his.

In this story, the Bodhisatta’s parents were reborn as the Buddha’s own father and mother, while the teacher and the king from the tale were reborn as Ananda and Sariputta, two of the Buddha’s chief disciples.

Moral of the Story: Determination, hard work, and the pursuit of knowledge can overcome any obstacle. Confidence in one’s abilities, when backed by true understanding, can silence doubts and secure rightful success.