King’s Leadership in the Dummedha Jataka

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was once a king who ruled his kingdom righteously, adhering to the ten royal virtues. During his time, the people of his city had a practice of making animal sacrifices to the gods, a custom the Bodhisatta was determined to end.Even as a crown prince, the Bodhisatta began a clever scheme to stop this practice. He joined the crowds that would pray to a tree fairy residing in a holy banyan tree outside the city. He would offer perfumes and flowers, sprinkle the tree with water, and walk around its trunk, gaining the respect and trust of the people.After ascending to the throne, the Bodhisatta assembled his advisors and told them that, while he was still a prince, he had promised the tree fairy that he would make a great offering if he became king. He then ordered his advisors to proclaim throughout the city by the beat of a drum that the king had vowed to give the tree fairy the flesh and blood of one thousand subjects who broke the precepts and lived in sin. According to this proclamation, all evildoers would be slain and sacrificed to the tree fairy.However, as the Bodhisatta had predicted, not a single person was caught doing any bad things, including animal sacrifices. The fear of being punished for their actions led the people to live virtuously, and the practice of animal sacrifices ceased.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This tale has a significant connection to the Buddha’s later life. One day, some of the Buddha’s disciples were discussing his greatness, highlighting his simple life, kindness to all beings (including nagas and garudas), his ability to convert many people, and his constant dedication to the benefit of the world.When the Buddha heard their discussion, he shared this story to illustrate that he had also acted in the interest of others in his past lives. The king’s advisors in the story were revealed to be earlier births of the Buddha’s disciples, emphasizing the continuity of their roles in supporting and advising the Bodhisatta/Buddha in different lifetimes.

Moral

The Dummedha Jataka teaches us about the power of wise and compassionate leadership. The story highlights the importance of finding innovative and non-violent ways to change harmful practices and promote virtue. The Bodhisatta’s scheme to end animal sacrifices by instilling a sense of moral responsibility in his subjects serves as a model for effective and compassionate governance. This tale underscores the Buddhist principle of promoting well-being and virtue through wise and just actions, reflecting the Bodhisatta’s commitment to the ten royal virtues and his dedication to the welfare of his people.