The Monkey and the Pea: A Lesson in Greed and Wisdom

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was an advisor to a king. One day, news came of a rebellion in a border region, and the king decided to send his troops to quell the unrest. Even though it was the rainy season, which made travel difficult, the king mustered his soldiers and began preparing for battle.

While the army was camped before their departure, the soldiers were feeding the horses steamed peas. As they ate, a monkey sitting in a nearby tree spotted the peas and jumped down to grab a handful. He eagerly filled his mouth and hands with the peas, but as he ate, one pea fell from his grasp. Determined to recover it, the monkey discarded the rest of the peas and searched desperately for the lost one. But after fruitlessly searching, he returned to his tree empty-handed, sulking in frustration.

The king, watching the monkey’s behavior, turned to the Bodhisatta and asked for his opinion. The Bodhisatta wisely replied, “This is the folly of greed. The monkey threw away many peas to chase after one, and in the end, he lost everything. This is what greedy fools do—they spend a pound to win a penny.”

The Bodhisatta’s words of wisdom struck the king. Realizing that sending his troops to fight during such a difficult time might lead to unnecessary losses, the king decided to call off the campaign. However, the king had already sent word of the planned reinforcement, and by the time the news reached the border region, the outlaws had heard of the incoming troops and, fearing defeat, fled before the army even arrived.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the Buddha’s time, a similar situation arose during a rainy season when a rebellion broke out in a border region. The king’s troops, who had already been struggling to suppress the uprising, requested more reinforcements. Despite the challenges of traveling during the wet season, the king mustered his soldiers and prepared to send them.

However, as he was about to embark on the campaign, the king began to feel uncertain and sought the counsel of the Buddha. After explaining the situation, the king asked the Buddha if it was wise to proceed. The Buddha then shared this story with him, highlighting the dangers of rash decisions and the folly of pursuing something at great cost without considering the bigger picture. The king, taking the Buddha’s advice, called off the campaign. Ironically, by the time the news reached the border region, the rebels, having learned of the incoming reinforcements, fled without a fight.

Moral of the Story:

The tale emphasizes the destructive nature of greed and impatience. Just as the monkey lost everything by chasing after a single pea, those who are driven by greed often lose sight of the bigger, more valuable picture in pursuit of short-term gains. The Bodhisatta’s wise counsel teaches the king—and us—that sometimes restraint, caution, and wise decision-making can yield better results than impulsive action. The story also conveys the idea that strategic wisdom can bring about victory without the need for unnecessary conflict.

In the context of the Buddha’s time, the story also underscores the importance of seeking wise counsel and considering the consequences of one’s actions before taking steps that might lead to greater harm. The king’s ultimate decision to call off the campaign mirrors the wisdom that the Buddha imparted to his disciples—to weigh all factors carefully before acting, as hasty decisions can often lead to more problems than solutions.

Connection to the Buddha’s Disciples:

The king in the past life was an earlier birth of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s closest disciples. Ananda was known for his wisdom and his ability to make sound decisions, much like the king in the story. Just as the king learned to avoid rash decisions, Ananda, as the Buddha’s trusted companion, frequently provided counsel to others, helping them make wise choices and avoid unnecessary strife.