The Nanguttha Jataka: A Lesson in Self-Reliance

The Nanguttha Jataka (Jataka #144) presents an important lesson about the futility of blind devotion to external rituals and gods when they are not rooted in wisdom or self-reliance. The story focuses on the Bodhisatta’s disillusionment with religious practices that fail to bring true fulfillment and the resulting shift towards asceticism and self-discipline.

The Story:

In this Jataka, the Bodhisatta is born as a devout worshipper of the fire god. When he comes of age, his parents ask him whether he wants to go into the wilderness and continue worshipping the fire god with devotion or live a conventional life in the town as a married man. The Bodhisatta chooses the religious life, and he moves to the forest to live a solitary life of worship and devotion.

One day, someone gives him a ox, which he plans to offer as a sacrifice to the fire god. Before he can perform the sacrifice, however, he realizes that he is out of salt—something he believes is necessary for the god to accept the offering. He decides to go to the village to get some salt.

While the Bodhisatta is away, a group of hunters comes upon the ox. They kill it, take some of the meat for dinner, and carry off most of the rest, leaving only the tail, shanks, and hide behind. When the Bodhisatta returns and discovers what has happened, he is outraged and disgusted with the fire god. He reasons that if the fire god cannot protect its own special offering (the ox), then how can the god look after him? In this moment of disillusionment, the Bodhisatta douses the fire he had been worshipping and decides to leave the village to live as an ascetic.

In his new ascetic life, he dedicates himself to self-discipline and meditation. Through his efforts, he attains deep spiritual knowledge and wisdom, and after his death, he is reborn in a heavenly realm, having transcended the limitations of blind religious devotion.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the time of the Buddha, there were groups of naked ascetics who performed extreme penances, such as sitting on their heels for long periods, lying on sharp thorns, and burning themselves with fire, believing that these practices would lead to spiritual advancement. Some of the Buddha’s disciples, curious about whether these practices were beneficial, asked him whether such penances could result in any spiritual progress.

The Buddha replied by recounting the Nanguttha Jataka and explaining that just as the Bodhisatta had realized the futility of relying on external gods for protection and blessing, these ascetic practices were also without merit. The Buddha emphasized that true spiritual progress comes not from ritualistic acts of self-torture or reliance on external deities but from developing wisdom, discipline, and self-awareness.

Moral Lessons:

1. Self-Reliance over Blind Faith: The Bodhisatta’s decision to abandon his worship of the fire god after the ox was taken illustrates the importance of self-reliance and inner strength in spiritual practice. Blind faith in external gods or rituals that do not promote wisdom or personal growth will ultimately lead to frustration and disillusionment.
2. The Futility of Rituals Without Wisdom: The Bodhisatta’s realization that the fire god could not protect his offering symbolizes the idea that rituals, no matter how elaborate, are meaningless if they are not accompanied by understanding and wisdom. This is especially relevant in the context of the extreme ascetic practices that were prevalent at the time of the Buddha. The Buddha’s teachings emphasize that wisdom, compassion, and mindfulness are far more valuable than physical self-mortification or the worship of external deities.
3. True Spiritual Progress Requires Wisdom: The Bodhisatta’s eventual transition to asceticism, through which he attained spiritual knowledge, reinforces the idea that true spiritual growth comes from disciplined practice, meditation, and the cultivation of wisdom rather than from relying on external forces or rituals.
4. Rejection of Self-Torture: The Jataka also serves as a subtle critique of the extreme self-torture practiced by some ascetics. The Buddha uses this story to explain to his disciples that such practices, like those of the naked ascetics, bring no true benefit or progress. The focus should instead be on mental discipline and ethical living.
5. Emphasis on Internal Practice Over External Ceremonies: The story of the Bodhisatta’s rejection of the fire god suggests that inner peace and spiritual awakening are found through one’s personal efforts and introspection, not through performing rituals or relying on external powers.

Conclusion:

The Nanguttha Jataka teaches that spiritual progress comes from within and is based on wisdom, discipline, and self-awareness, rather than on blind faith in external gods or rituals. It highlights the importance of self-reliance and suggests that rituals or penances that do not lead to true insight or inner transformation are ultimately empty and unhelpful. By rejecting the reliance on external deities and focusing on the path of asceticism and meditation, the Bodhisatta achieves spiritual success and is reborn in a higher realm.

In the broader context of the Buddha’s teachings, this Jataka serves as a reminder that true spiritual attainment comes through mindfulness, meditation, and ethical living, not through superficial rituals or extreme acts of self-mortification.