The Kalinga-Bodhi Jataka: A Story of Humility, Reverence, and Spiritual Destiny

In the Kalinga-Bodhi Jataka, the Bodhisatta was once a king’s chaplain, serving a king who had a younger brother prophesied to live as an ascetic and later have a son who would become a universal monarch. The younger brother, filled with pride because of the prophecy, became unbearable to the king, who eventually imprisoned him. However, the man who was sent to arrest him allowed him to escape. Before fleeing, the younger brother gave the man a signet ring, rug, and sword, promising that one day his son would return to claim the throne with these items as proof of his identity.

At the same time, another king had a daughter who was also prophesied to live as an ascetic and have a son who would become a universal monarch. Fearing the chaos that would arise from multiple kings wanting to marry his daughter, the king fled with her and his queen to the forest to live as ascetics along the Ganges River.

One day, while her parents were gathering fruit, the daughter, in a moment of leisure, wove a floral wreath. She accidentally dropped it into the river, where it was carried downstream to the exiled younger brother. The man fell deeply in love with the maker of the wreath upon seeing it and walked upstream to find her. When he did, they instantly fell in love, and soon, they married. Their son, Kalinga, grew up to be righteous and wise.

As Kalinga matured, his father, the former viceroy, received a divine sign that his elder brother had passed away, and so he sent Kalinga to claim the throne. He gave his son the signet ring, rug, and sword, and with these items, Kalinga traveled to the city. By the power of his virtue, Kalinga was able to fly through the air and, upon proving his identity, was crowned king. The Bodhisatta led the ceremonies that made Kalinga a universal monarch, and soon after, Kalinga’s reign spread over the world, fulfilling his destiny.

However, when King Kalinga and his entourage traveled to visit his parents, they stopped near the sacred Bodhi tree, under which Buddhas attain enlightenment. The king’s elephant suddenly refused to move, and the Bodhisatta realized the reason—no one, not even the king of the gods, Indra, could pass this holy place without showing proper respect. Despite the Bodhisatta’s warning, King Kalinga, in his arrogance, drove his goad stick into the elephant, killing it. He mounted another elephant, and it also dropped dead instantly.

Finally, the king understood the importance of the sacred ground, and he praised the Bodhisatta’s wisdom. The Bodhisatta, however, reminded him that all glory should go to the virtue of the past Buddhas, not his own insight. Kalinga, humbled by this lesson, decided to honor the Bodhi tree and the Buddhas by having a grand ceremony, with music, flowers, and building a wall around the sacred spot. After seven days of respect and reverence, they continued their journey to the king’s parents’ home.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

When the Buddha went on his alms pilgrimages, Anathapindika, a wealthy and generous supporter of the Buddha, noticed that the people of the area placed wreaths and garlands at the entrance to the Buddha’s perfumed chamber. Anathapindika felt that there should be a proper place for these offerings and asked Ananda, the Buddha’s chief disciple, to discuss this with the Buddha. The Buddha, knowing that a shrine could not be built while he was still alive, suggested that a Bodhi tree could serve as a suitable place of reverence.

Ananda arranged for a grand ceremony with the king and elders, and Anathapindika planted a seed taken from the fruit of the original Bodhi tree. Miraculously, the tree grew instantly to a height and width of twenty-three meters. A wall with a bejeweled gate was built around the tree, and gold dust was sprinkled around it. The Buddha himself meditated under the tree for one night to inaugurate its sacredness.

Later, when the Buddha heard his disciples discussing the newly planted Bodhi tree, he shared the story of the Kalinga-Bodhi Jataka, showing them that this was not the first time Ananda had honored a Bodhi tree in such a way. In an earlier life, Ananda had been King Kalinga, and he had similarly respected the sacred ground of the Bodhi tree, leading to his eventual enlightenment and wisdom.

Moral Reflection:

The Kalinga-Bodhi Jataka imparts several valuable lessons:

1. Respect for Sacred Spaces: The story teaches the importance of showing proper respect for sacred places and honoring the wisdom of the past. King Kalinga’s initial arrogance and failure to respect the Bodhi tree led to the death of his elephant, teaching him the importance of humility before sacred knowledge.
2. Humility and Reverence: True power and wisdom are not in dominance or force but in the ability to recognize the sanctity of humble and sacred moments. Kalinga’s learning to honor the Bodhi tree showed that true rulers must also be humble and mindful of spiritual forces.
3. Divine Providence and Destiny: The Jataka also underscores the theme of destiny and the interconnectedness of lives, as Kalinga’s rise to power and his ultimate wisdom were shaped by both his virtue and the guidance of higher spiritual forces, including the Bodhisatta.
4. Generosity and Offering: Anathapindika’s act of planting a Bodhi tree as a place for offerings emphasizes the virtue of generosity and devotion. Offering something sacred, whether in material or spiritual form, is a way to honor and acknowledge the divine.

Final Takeaway:

The Kalinga-Bodhi Jataka highlights that true wisdom and power come from humility, respect for sacred places, and the recognition of the greater spiritual forces that guide and shape the world. The story encourages us to approach our journeys in life with a sense of reverence and mindfulness, honoring the past and the wisdom it holds. As King Kalinga learned, it is not through force and arrogance, but through respect, that we can truly understand the depth of the sacred and the path to righteousness.