The Tale of King Sivi: A Testament to Supreme Generosity

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was born as King Sivi, a righteous and wise ruler known throughout his kingdom for his immense generosity. Each day, he gave away goods worth six hundred thousand coins, building six alms halls around the city to distribute charity. Yet, despite all his wealth and resources, King Sivi felt that his charity was still insufficient, and he made a vow to give a part of himself to anyone who asked.

He pledged, “If someone asks for my heart, I will cut open my chest with a spear and give it to him, dripping with blood. If someone demands my flesh, I will slice it from my body. If someone wants my blood, I will pour it into his mouth or fill a bowl. If someone needs his house cleaned, I will take off my robes and work as a slave. If anyone asks for my eyes, I will tear them out like the pith of a palm tree.” His vow was an expression of unshakable selflessness, willing to sacrifice even his body for the sake of others.

Indra, the king of the gods, noticed the king’s vow and decided to test his commitment to this supreme generosity. Disguising himself as a blind old brahmin, Indra appeared at one of the alms halls. When the Bodhisatta arrived, the brahmin praised and flattered him, then asked for one of his eyes. The Bodhisatta, thrilled that his vow would be fulfilled, eagerly offered both of his eyes, not just one. His advisors, alarmed by his decision, urged him to reconsider, but the king ignored their pleas and called for a doctor.

The pain of the eye extraction was excruciating, and his clothes became soaked with blood, yet the Bodhisatta did not waver. Indra placed both of the king’s eyes in his empty sockets before departing, returning to his heavenly abode.

For several days, the Bodhisatta lived in blindness, contemplating the profound sacrifice he had made. He gave up his kingdom and retreated to the royal park to live as an ascetic. As he sat by a lake, deep in meditation, Indra decided it was time to reward the king for his supreme act of generosity. Indra, now back in his celestial form, appeared to the Bodhisatta and offered to grant him a wish.

The Bodhisatta, still blind and weary, expressed his wish for death, feeling that his life had lost its meaning without sight. Indra, moved by the king’s selflessness, told him that because of his great generosity, he could now speak an act of truth, a solemn declaration of one’s supreme virtue, and his eyes would be restored. The Bodhisatta, speaking from the depths of his heart, declared his perfect generosity and, in response, new eyes grew in his sockets.

Pleased with the Bodhisatta’s virtue, Indra praised him before returning to his heavenly realm. The Bodhisatta, now restored to his full faculties, led a grand procession back to his palace. He continued to rule wisely and generously for the rest of his days, urging his subjects to follow the path of generosity and virtue. Because of his teachings, when his people passed away, they were reborn in heavenly realms.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

King Pasenadi, a righteous ruler and devoted supporter of the Buddha, once gave a grand alms offering to the Buddha in front of the city’s people. The next day, the citizens of the city gave an even greater alms offering, which was surpassed by the king again. This cycle continued for six rounds, with the people outdoing the king each time. Eventually, Queen Mallika, the king’s exceptionally wise chief queen, orchestrated an incomparable gift: five hundred of the Buddha’s disciples were seated in a pavilion with golden boats in the center, while elephants held white parasols over them. High-caste girls fanned the disciples and spread fragrance, and the king presented the Buddha with all the offerings in his alms hall, plus four priceless objects: a white parasol, a jeweled stand, a couch, and a footstool.

The king, expecting a grand sermon of thanks in return, was disappointed when the Buddha did not offer the customary praise. The king feared that he had done something wrong and upset the Buddha. To clarify, he went to the Buddha’s monastery and asked about it. The Buddha explained that he had read the mind of one of the king’s advisors, a greedy man who had thought the alms offering a waste. The Buddha, in his compassion, had avoided speaking thanks in order to prevent the advisor’s head from exploding in anger.

The king was reassured by the Buddha’s explanation and offered him a fine robe as a token of gratitude.

The following day, as the king and the citizens discussed the Buddha’s wisdom, the Buddha shared this Jataka story with his disciples to demonstrate that his own acts of generosity were even greater than those of King Pasenadi. The story revealed that in the past, the Bodhisatta (King Sivi) had made a far more remarkable act of giving, showing that supreme generosity is not bound by time but is a lasting virtue across lifetimes.

Moral of the Tale:

The tale of King Sivi teaches the boundless nature of true generosity. It shows that the highest form of giving is not merely about material wealth but the willingness to sacrifice even one’s body for the welfare of others. It also emphasizes that such acts of selflessness are never in vain; they lead to spiritual reward, and those who live with generosity and compassion are revered not only in this life but in future ones as well.

In the Buddha’s time, King Pasenadi’s generosity, too, was meant to inspire others to give with a pure heart. The Buddha’s reminder that such acts of kindness have far-reaching spiritual effects reinforces the teaching that generosity, when rooted in true selflessness, leads to a peaceful and meaningful existence.