The Kapi Jataka: Wisdom, Conflict, and Self-Preservation

In the Kapi Jataka, the Bodhisatta is reborn as a wise monkey living among a thousand other monkeys in the royal park. One day, as the king’s chaplain was walking beneath the gateway arch to bathe, a mischievous monkey, perched above, defecated on the chaplain’s head. Furious, the chaplain looked up, only to have the monkey drop more into his mouth. Humiliated and enraged, the chaplain swore vengeance on all the monkeys in the park.

Upon hearing this, the Bodhisatta, recognizing the danger, warned the monkeys of the consequences of living near a powerful enemy. He urged them all to leave the park for their safety. Half of the monkeys, following the Bodhisatta’s advice, left with him, but the other half, led by a rebellious monkey, decided to stay behind, dismissing the warning.

Soon after, a slave, angry at a goat that had eaten some of her rice, struck the animal with a burning torch. The goat, running in panic, set itself on fire. In its desperate attempt to put out the flames, the goat ran into a grass hut, which caught fire. The fire spread to the elephant stable, injuring many of the royal elephants. The king’s veterinarians could not treat the burns, and so the king turned to the chaplain for advice.

Seeing an opportunity for revenge, the chaplain suggested that the king use monkey fat to heal the elephants’ wounds. The king ordered his archers to kill all the monkeys in the park and collect their fat. As the archers began their massacre, one of the monkeys, mortally wounded, managed to escape and reached the Bodhisatta’s new home just before he died. The dying monkey told the Bodhisatta of the king’s orders and the impending doom.

The Bodhisatta, recognizing the severity of the situation, used the opportunity to give a sermon about the dangers of living near enemies. He reminded the monkeys that their rebellion and disregard for his warning had led them into grave danger. His wise words resonated deeply with the others, and they all made him their king. Under his leadership, the monkeys learned the value of peace and caution in the face of threats.

Moral of the Story:
The Kapi Jataka teaches the importance of avoiding unnecessary conflict and distancing oneself from situations that pose danger. The Bodhisatta’s wisdom and foresight in leading his tribe to safety demonstrate the value of careful decision-making and the importance of self-preservation. It also underscores the principle that living near one’s enemies or in hostile environments can lead to inevitable destruction.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:
The rebellious monkey in the story was an earlier incarnation of Devadatta, one of the Buddha’s disciples who later became his rival. The monkeys who stayed behind with him represented Devadatta’s followers, who remained loyal to him despite his negative path. When the Buddha heard his disciples discussing how Devadatta had been swallowed by the earth and condemned to hell, he shared this story to illustrate how Devadatta’s past rebellious nature had led to his ultimate downfall. This story served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of rebellion and the consequences of choosing the wrong path.