Godha Jataka: A Tale of Hypocrisy and Wisdom

The Godha Jataka is a story from the Bodhisatta’s previous lives that highlights the dangers of hypocrisy, the importance of integrity, and the wisdom of recognizing deceit. The Bodhisatta in this Jataka is reborn as a lizard, and the tale centers around the contrast between a genuine ascetic and a false one, showcasing how truth and morality ultimately triumph over treachery.

The Story:

In this Jataka, the Bodhisatta is a lizard who lives near a deeply respected ascetic. The Bodhisatta frequently visits this ascetic to hear his teachings, paying his respects and learning from his wisdom. However, after some time, the respected ascetic leaves and a new, unknown ascetic takes his place. The Bodhisatta, ever respectful, continues to visit the new ascetic just as he had with the former one.

During a particularly dry season, a storm causes many ants to leave their hill, attracting a number of lizards who come to feast on them. The villagers, also noticing the abundance of lizards, begin to catch them. On one occasion, the new ascetic is served a lizard, cooked with vinegar and sugar, and he finds the meal so delicious that he becomes tempted to catch the Bodhisatta and cook him as well.

The false ascetic, now with malicious intent, prepares his pot and condiments and sits by the door of his hut with a hidden mallet, waiting for the Bodhisatta to arrive. When the Bodhisatta approaches, he senses something amiss and detects the lingering smell of the lizard meal. Realizing the ascetic’s evil plan, the Bodhisatta decides not to approach the hut, walking past without stopping.

The ascetic, frustrated by the Bodhisatta’s refusal to come closer, throws his mallet in an attempt to strike him. However, the mallet only hits the tip of the Bodhisatta’s tail. Unharmed, the Bodhisatta swiftly retreats into his burrow. Then, with a clever move, he pops his head out of a different hole and insults the false ascetic, calling him out for his hypocrisy.

Exposed as a deceitful and immoral person, the false ascetic, realizing that his wicked intentions had been uncovered, quickly leaves the area. The Bodhisatta’s integrity and sharp perception of deceit result in the downfall of the false ascetic.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the time of the Buddha, the false ascetic from the story was recognized as an earlier incarnation of one of the Buddha’s disciples who had been exposed as a hypocrite. The Buddha shared this Jataka to teach the other disciples about the true nature of this individual, showing them that his behavior had not changed from his past lives.

The good ascetic who had originally lived in the hut, before being replaced by the false one, was identified as an earlier birth of Sariputta, one of the Buddha’s most revered and wise disciples. This connection served to highlight the contrast between true wisdom and virtue (embodied by Sariputta) and the deceit and moral corruption of the false ascetic.

Moral Lessons:

1. Hypocrisy and Deceit: The false ascetic’s plot to deceive and harm the Bodhisatta demonstrates the destructive nature of hypocrisy. Despite appearing outwardly as a religious and virtuous person, he was driven by greed and malice. The story teaches that true virtue is not just in outward appearances but in one’s actions and intentions.
2. The Importance of Integrity: The Bodhisatta, even as a humble lizard, shows immense wisdom and integrity. His ability to recognize the false ascetic’s intentions and his refusal to be caught or deceived highlights the power of discernment and moral steadfastness.
3. Consequences of Wickedness: The false ascetic’s eventual downfall—being exposed and forced to leave—demonstrates the inevitability of truth and justice. His wickedness was ultimately his undoing, just as hypocrisy and deceit can never prevail in the long run.
4. Wisdom in Recognizing Deceit: The Bodhisatta’s keen observation and his ability to smell the lizard meal and detect the false ascetic’s intentions show that wisdom and awareness are key to protecting oneself from harm. The Bodhisatta’s clever escape and subsequent verbal exposure of the ascetic reflect the power of wisdom over brute force.
5. The Dangers of Temptation: The story also highlights how easily people can be led astray by temptation—like the false ascetic who, seduced by the taste of the lizard meat, plots to harm another. It serves as a warning against the dangers of giving in to temptation, especially when it comes at the expense of others.

Conclusion:

The Godha Jataka is a tale that emphasizes the triumph of wisdom, integrity, and discernment over deceit and greed. By exposing the false ascetic and protecting himself from harm, the Bodhisatta demonstrates that true moral and spiritual strength lies in one’s actions and the ability to recognize and reject hypocrisy. This story serves as both a cautionary tale about the dangers of deceit and a reminder of the importance of maintaining one’s integrity, no matter how difficult the circumstances may be. The Buddha’s use of this Jataka to reveal the past behavior of his disciples illustrates how past actions and tendencies can influence a person’s character and the need for continuous self-reflection and spiritual growth.