The Lion, Tiger, and Tree Fairy: A Lesson in Balance | Jataka

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was a tree fairy living in a forest with another tree fairy. The forest was also home to a lion and a tiger, who hunted many animals. Their presence was so fearsome that no humans dared enter the forest to cut down the trees.

The other tree fairy, tired of the stench from the rotting carcasses of the lion and tiger’s prey, decided to drive them away. The Bodhisatta, however, warned his companion that the lion and tiger were necessary to protect the forest from human encroachment. Despite the Bodhisatta’s warning, the other fairy didn’t listen, and he took a frightening form to scare off the two big cats.

Once the lion and tiger were gone, humans ventured into the forest to chop down the trees. The Bodhisatta, realizing his prediction had come true, urged his companion to convince the lion and tiger to return. The fairy tried to persuade them, but they had already moved to a different forest and chose not to return. As a result, the forest was cleared, and the tree fairies were forced to leave.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the time of the Buddha, the foolish tree fairy was an earlier incarnation of Cula Kokalika, a greedy and arrogant disciple of the Buddha. The lion and tiger represented Sariputta and Moggallana, two of the Buddha’s greatest disciples.

During one rainy season, Sariputta and Moggallana stayed at Cula Kokalika’s home, under the condition that no one in the town should know of their presence. However, after their stay, Cula Kokalika bragged about hosting the two revered monks, leading the townspeople to gather food and offerings for them. Knowing that Sariputta and Moggallana were frugal and would not accept such gifts, Cula Kokalika hoped to keep the donations for himself. When Sariputta and Moggallana did not accept the offerings, Cula Kokalika became angry.

Later, Sariputta and Moggallana, along with a thousand disciples, passed through the town again. This time, the people eagerly offered donations, but once again, Sariputta and Moggallana did not accept them. Cula Kokalika, furious at their refusal, insulted the monks for being greedy and selfish. The townspeople, displeased with Cula Kokalika’s behavior, urged him to reconcile with the monks. If he could not convince them to return, he would lose their respect and his home in the town.

Cula Kokalika went to the Buddha’s monastery and begged Sariputta and Moggallana to return. However, the monks refused. As a result, Cula Kokalika was forced to leave the town.

The Buddha later told this story to his disciples to show that Cula Kokalika had faced a “can’t live with them, can’t live without them” situation with Sariputta and Moggallana, just as the other tree fairy had done with the lion and tiger in the past.

Moral of the Story

1. Balance and Wisdom: The Bodhisatta’s wisdom in this Jataka highlights the importance of balance. Just as the lion and tiger were necessary to protect the forest from human destruction, Sariputta and Moggallana played vital roles in maintaining spiritual discipline, even if Cula Kokalika couldn’t see this.
2. Greed and Arrogance: Cula Kokalika’s greed and arrogance led him to insult the very people who had once offered him spiritual guidance. His behavior parallels the other fairy’s foolishness in driving away the lion and tiger, only to see the forest destroyed. Both characters act out of short-sightedness, not understanding the long-term consequences of their actions.
3. The Importance of Respect: The story also emphasizes the importance of respecting wise counsel and maintaining good relationships. Both the tree fairy and Cula Kokalika learn the hard way that pride and selfishness lead to negative outcomes, while cooperation and humility bring benefits.

This Jataka reinforces the themes of respect for wisdom, the consequences of arrogance, and the importance of balance in maintaining harmony, both in nature and in relationships.