The Kanhadipayana Jataka: The Power of Truth and Healing

In the Kanhadipayana Jataka, the Bodhisatta was once an ascetic who had lived a wealthy life as a Brahmin, along with a friend who also gave up wealth and the comforts of the world. Together, they ventured to the Himalayas, living a life of simplicity and eating wild fruits and roots, but they could not attain full insight despite their years of penance. After fifty years in the wilderness, they journeyed to a nearby town to gather salt and seasoning, eventually staying in a cemetery.

Wrongful Accusation and Impalement

While the Bodhisatta stayed at the cemetery, a thief was caught in the act and fled through the sewer, accidentally dropping his stolen goods near the Bodhisatta’s hut. The homeowners, upon finding the goods, wrongly assumed the ascetic was the thief. They beat him and brought him before the king, who, without investigation, immediately ordered his execution by impalement.

The executioners tried impaling the Bodhisatta with various stakes—acacia wood, neem wood, and iron—but none of these would pierce his skin. Surprised, the Bodhisatta looked into his past to understand why this was happening. He realized that in a previous life as a child, he had once pierced a fly with a splinter of ebony. Knowing he could not escape the karma of this past sin, he told the executioners to use an ebony stake, which they did, and it successfully pierced his skin.

The Bodhisatta’s Compassion and the King’s Realization

During this time, the Bodhisatta reflected on his friend and decided to visit him. Upon arriving, he found his friend hanging by the roadside, and he asked what had happened. The friend explained that he had done nothing wrong, but he held no hatred for his accusers or the king. Pleased with his friend’s virtuous attitude, the Bodhisatta remained by his side, sitting by the stake, unaffected by the blood that dripped from his wounds.

When the king learned of the Bodhisatta’s calm and compassionate response, he realized he had acted hastily. The king hurried to the scene and listened to the Bodhisatta’s rebuke for not thoroughly investigating the case. The king then ordered an investigation, and upon discovering the ascetic’s innocence, he ordered the stake removed. However, the stake could not be pulled out. This was because of the Bodhisatta’s past action with the fly, in which he had sealed a diamond into a duct to preserve the fly’s life until its natural death. The king, feeling deeply remorseful, ordered that the stake be sawed off at both ends, leaving the piece inside the Bodhisatta’s body, and the wound was allowed to heal.

Healing Through Truth and Self-Reflection

The Bodhisatta took care of his friend until his wound healed. Later, when the Bodhisatta returned to his friend’s house, a miraculous event occurred. While the Bodhisatta was sharing his story, the family’s young son was bitten by a venomous snake and fell unconscious. The parents asked the Bodhisatta to heal the boy, but he explained that he knew no magical chants. They then asked him to speak an act of truth, a powerful declaration of supreme virtue that could lead to a miraculous result.

The Bodhisatta agreed, and as he spoke the truth, some of the venom from the boy’s chest drained out, reviving him. However, the boy remained weak and unable to stand. The Bodhisatta then asked the father to speak his truth. The father, who had always prided himself on his generosity, admitted that he had given reluctantly and out of duty rather than true generosity. As he spoke his truth, more venom drained from the boy’s body, and he regained strength, though he still could not stand.

Next, the mother spoke her truth, admitting that she did not truly love her husband. As she spoke, the remaining venom drained from the boy’s body, and he fully recovered, standing up and playing as before.

Self-Reflection Leads to Transformation

The family members were shocked by their mutual admissions. The Bodhisatta then encouraged them to reflect on the deeper truths behind their actions. The father confessed that his generosity came from family tradition rather than true altruism. The mother shared that her marriage had been arranged when she was young, and she had tried to meet her family’s expectations rather than follow her own desires.

Through this truth-telling process, the family members began to understand themselves more deeply, transforming their disappointment into newfound happiness and understanding. The Bodhisatta’s example of honest self-reflection helped them break free from their previous limitations and find joy in their lives.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha: Overcoming Passion and Regaining Balance

In the lifetime of the Buddha, a nobleman who had dedicated himself to the Buddha’s Dharma became overwhelmed by passion after seeing a beautiful woman. Consumed by desire, he began to neglect his ascetic practices, losing his peace and health. His skin became yellow, his body weak, and he no longer took joy in his spiritual life.

The Buddha observed the disciple’s suffering and criticized him for allowing passion to disturb his inner peace. He then told the disciple this story of his own past, where he, too, had struggled with desires but had continued to live with proper conduct and discipline. This story helped the disciple regain his balance and commitment to the holy life.

Rebirths of the Key Figures

In this story, the Bodhisatta’s friend and his good friend were earlier births of Sariputta and Ananda, two of the Buddha’s top disciples. The friend’s wife and the son were earlier births of the Buddha’s wife and son.

Moral of the Story:

The Kanhadipayana Jataka teaches the transformative power of truth and self-reflection. By being honest with ourselves and others, we can heal past wounds, overcome our limitations, and change our perspectives. The story highlights the importance of understanding the true motivations behind our actions, especially in the face of challenges, and shows how personal growth can emerge through self-awareness and honesty.