The Phandana Jataka: The Dangers of Revenge and Conflict

In the Phandana Jataka, the Bodhisatta was once a tree fairy living in a flame of the forest tree. His home was often visited by a black lion that rested beneath the tree after a hunting expedition. One day, a strong wind broke a branch off the tree, causing it to fall and injure the lion. In agony, the lion cursed the Bodhisatta and vowed to have his tree destroyed. The lion set out to find a man who would carry out his revenge.

At that time, a carpenter who specialized in making oxcarts was in the forest collecting wood. When he approached the Bodhisatta’s tree, he noticed the lion standing beneath it and was frightened. The lion, however, spoke to him, asking what kind of tree he was looking for. Surprised that an animal could talk, the carpenter stopped to listen. The lion, with its deep knowledge of the forest, told him that the flame of the forest trees produced the best wood for making wheels. The carpenter, believing the lion’s advice, began to chop the tree down, much to the lion’s delight.

The Bodhisatta, realizing his home was about to be destroyed, decided to take revenge on the lion. He transformed into the form of a forester and approached the carpenter. During their conversation, the carpenter mentioned that a black lion had recommended the tree. The Bodhisatta, feigning ignorance, suggested that the carpenter could make the wheel even stronger by attaching a thin strip of skin from a black lion around the edge of the wheel. The carpenter, intrigued, asked where he could find such a lion. The Bodhisatta mocked him for not understanding that the tree wouldn’t run away and suggested that the carpenter go back to the lion and ask for specific instructions on which parts of the lion to use. When the lion was unsuspecting, the carpenter should strike him down.

The carpenter, eager for the reward of perfect wood, took the Bodhisatta’s advice, found the lion, and killed him. He then returned to the tree to finish chopping it down. The Bodhisatta’s revenge was complete, but it was also destructive, for both the lion and the tree were lost in the process.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the Buddha’s time, the Sakya clan, of which the Buddha was a part, was embroiled in a conflict with a neighboring clan over water rights after a shared dam ran low at the end of the dry season. The dispute escalated into violence, and both sides were preparing for war. Upon hearing of the conflict, the Buddha went to intervene.

When the two clans saw the Buddha, they stopped fighting and dropped their weapons. The Buddha, with his usual wisdom and calm, addressed the crowd, explaining that life itself was more precious than water. He taught that violence only brought harm to all parties involved and that true peace could only come from self-control and unity. He used the story of the Phandana Jataka to show how revenge and conflict ultimately lead to mutual destruction.

The Buddha did not identify any other characters from earlier lives except for himself, as the lesson he imparted was universal: wars, feuds, and revenge only cause loss and suffering, while wisdom and restraint lead to peace and harmony.

Moral Reflection:

The Phandana Jataka tells a story of revenge, where the Bodhisatta, despite being wronged, chooses to retaliate and destroy his enemy. The Bodhisatta’s actions, though seemingly justified, lead to the death of the lion and the destruction of his own home. This demonstrates the mutual destruction that arises from conflict and revenge.

Though the Bodhisatta’s actions might have been driven by a sense of justice and the desire to avenge the wrong done to him, the outcome was ultimately tragic. The lion’s desire for revenge was just as destructive, and the carpenter, acting out of greed and ignorance, became a tool for both the Bodhisatta’s and the lion’s downfall.

The Buddha used this story to show that revenge and violence only lead to suffering for all involved. Self-restraint, wisdom, and the ability to rise above conflict are essential for lasting peace. In the context of the Sakya clan’s dispute, the Buddha urged his followers to avoid violent conflict and instead seek peaceful solutions, much like he had done in previous lives.

Final Takeaway:

The Phandana Jataka teaches the destructive nature of revenge and conflict. It serves as a reminder that while one might feel justified in seeking retribution, such actions often lead to more harm and loss, even for the person seeking revenge. The wisdom to let go of resentment and conflict is one of the key paths to true peace and harmony, both in our personal lives and in the world at large.

Through the Buddha’s teachings in the Lifetime of the Buddha, the story encourages us to move away from violence and destructive patterns, and instead to choose paths of compassion, restraint, and wisdom, which ultimately lead to better outcomes for everyone.