The Merchant and the Poisonous Kimpakka Tree: Phala Jataka

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was a merchant who led large oxcart caravans to trade with distant lands. During one of his trips, the caravan had to traverse a vast forest known for its poisonous trees. The Bodhisatta, aware of the dangers, warned his men not to eat anything unfamiliar without checking with him first.Despite this warning, some of the men came upon a kimpakka tree, which closely resembled a mango tree in every aspect, from the appearance of the leaves to the taste of the fruit. However, the kimpakka fruit was highly poisonous and could cause instant death if consumed. Impatient and unaware of the danger, these men ate some of the fruit.When the Bodhisatta arrived later, he realized that the tree was not a mango tree and quickly administered an elixir to his men, saving their lives from the deadly effects of the kimpakka fruit.The people from a nearby village, who were accustomed to finding dead travelers and taking their oxen, wagons, and wares after they had eaten the kimpakka fruit, were surprised to see that the Bodhisatta’s caravan was still alive despite setting up camp near the tree. They asked the Bodhisatta how he knew the tree was not a mango tree. The Bodhisatta explained that if a mango tree grew near a village, people would pick the mangoes, but this tree was full of fruit, indicating that it was not a mango tree.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This tale has a significant connection to the Buddha’s later life. A man had invited some of the Buddha’s disciples to receive alms in his garden. After they had eaten, the man ordered his gardener to walk around with the disciples and give them fruit. The disciples were impressed by the gardener’s knowledge, as he could tell with a single glance at a tree which fruits were ripe and unripe.When the disciples told the Buddha about the gardener’s impressive skills, the Buddha shared this story to illustrate that in the past, he himself had similar knowledge of fruits. The people of the caravan in the story were revealed to be earlier births of the Buddha’s disciples, highlighting the continuity of their roles and the Bodhisatta’s consistent wisdom and protective nature.

Moral

The Phala Jataka teaches us about the importance of wisdom, caution, and leadership. The story emphasizes the value of careful observation and the dangers of acting impulsively, especially in unfamiliar or potentially hazardous situations. The Bodhisatta’s actions serve as a model for how to protect others through knowledge and foresight. This tale underscores the Buddhist principle of using wisdom to avoid harm and ensure the well-being of oneself and others.