The Nangalisa Jataka: Wisdom, Patience, and Human Limits

In the Nangalisa Jataka, the Bodhisatta is born as a teacher renowned for his wisdom and skill in education. One of his students, however, is deeply foolish—unable to grasp any of the scriptures or teachings, always speaking inappropriately, and making odd comparisons. Despite his lack of intellectual ability, the student has a good heart and is completely devoted to the Bodhisatta.

One night, after the student performs the humble task of washing and perfuming the Bodhisatta’s feet, the teacher asks him to prop up the bed’s feet. Lacking any tools, the student uses his own leg and stays in position through the night, showing great dedication. In the morning, the Bodhisatta is moved by the student’s devotion and vows to redouble his efforts to teach him.

The Bodhisatta decides the best method of instruction is to ask the student about things he has seen or done each day and then ask for comparisons. Over the next several days, the student reports simple observations—he saw a snake, ate sugarcane, and saw an elephant. However, his answers are always the same: “like the shaft of a plow.” When he later compares molasses with curds and milk to the same shaft of a plow, the Bodhisatta realizes the student’s foolishness is beyond help, as he cannot make proper distinctions or comparisons. Despite his best efforts, the Bodhisatta sees that this student’s lack of intellect cannot be overcome.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

The student in the Nangalisa Jataka is an earlier birth of Laludayi, one of the Buddha’s disciples. Laludayi is described as a well-meaning but somewhat foolish individual, prone to making inappropriate comments, such as giving a gloomy sermon at a festival or speaking of joy at a funeral. His behavior is so erratic that other disciples discuss his shortcomings, leading the Buddha to recount this past life story to show that Laludayi had always struggled with understanding social and contextual nuances.

Moral of the Story

1. The Limits of Foolishness: The Nangalisa Jataka illustrates the limitations of ignorance and the difficulty of teaching someone who is fundamentally unable to understand basic concepts, no matter how hard they try. The Bodhisatta’s patience and dedication to teaching the student show his compassion, but the ultimate realization that the student is beyond instruction highlights the sad truth that some levels of foolishness cannot be corrected.
2. Patience and Dedication in Teaching: The Bodhisatta’s response to the student’s persistent failure is one of compassion, as he continues to invest in the student’s education despite the lack of progress. However, the teacher also recognizes the student’s limitations, underscoring the role of discernment in teaching. There comes a point when one must accept the limits of a student’s capacity.
3. The Challenge of Social Misunderstanding: Laludayi’s later failures in the Buddha’s life mirror those of the student in this Jataka. His inability to understand context—whether speaking inappropriately during festivals or funerals—reflects a fundamental misperception of the world around him. The story serves as a reminder that wisdom and discernment are not just about intellectual ability but also about understanding the nuances of social and emotional contexts.

Conclusion

The Nangalisa Jataka teaches us the value of patience in teaching but also the limits of ignorance. While the Bodhisatta’s efforts to teach his foolish student show immense compassion and dedication, the ultimate failure to help the student highlights a universal truth: some individuals may be so entrenched in their ignorance that no amount of effort can change their ways. This story, like many others in the Jataka tales, underscores the importance of discernment, both in teaching and in understanding human limitations.