Duta Jataka: The Greedy Man’s Redemption and Compassion

In a time long ago, the Bodhisatta was born as a king, but he was known for his extreme and lavish tastes. He was a fussy eater, insisting on only the finest, most expensive food, served on a plate worth one hundred thousand coins. His meals were always served outdoors in a grand bejeweled pavilion, where his subjects could watch him dine, believing that by observing his extravagant feasts, they could earn merit.

One day, a greedy man, driven by a burning desire to taste the king’s luxurious food, rushed from the crowd toward the king’s pavilion, shouting, “Messenger! Messenger!” It was customary that messengers could approach the king without obstruction, so the guards allowed him to come forward. When the man reached the king’s table, he seized a handful of rice from the plate and ate it greedily. The guards, ready to strike him down, drew their swords, but the Bodhisatta stopped them and invited the man to sit down and join him.

After the meal, the Bodhisatta finally inquired about the man’s message. The man, with a sheepish smile, admitted that his “message” was simply driven by his overwhelming desires. “I am a messenger for my belly and my lust,” he confessed, “and their power is so great that I could not control myself. Men will go to great lengths for the sake of their hunger. Please, Lord of chariots, do not be angry.”

The Bodhisatta, recognizing the man’s honesty and understanding the powerful forces of greed and desire, was moved by his words. Instead of punishing him, the Bodhisatta generously gifted him one thousand cows and a bull, showering the man with honor and wealth.

The Lesson in the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the time of the Buddha, the greedy man was recognized as an earlier birth of one of the Buddha’s disciples. This disciple, who was known for his greed, was reminded by the Buddha of his past behavior. The Buddha told him this story to show that even he had been consumed by greed in his past life. The Buddha also mentioned that there had been another time when this disciple, due to his overwhelming greed, had been beheaded with a sword as a consequence of his actions.

Moral of the Story

The Duta Jataka illustrates the powerful influence of greed and desire over human behavior. The Bodhisatta’s response to the greedy man—his recognition of the man’s honesty and his decision to reward him rather than punish him—demonstrates compassion and understanding of the human condition. While the man’s actions were driven by his unbridled desires, the Bodhisatta’s generosity serves as a reminder that even those with flawed tendencies can be met with compassion.

The story also serves as a reflection on the nature of desire and its ability to overpower rational thought. The greedy man, though acting impulsively, was able to articulate his weakness, and the Bodhisatta, seeing this, chose to respond with kindness rather than retribution. Ultimately, the story reminds us that understanding the root causes of human behavior—such as greed—and responding with compassion can lead to positive outcomes, even in situations that might otherwise seem deserving of punishment.