The Rohini Jataka: The Royal Treasurer’s Insight

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was once a royal treasurer, a position of great responsibility and wisdom. One day, while one of his slaves was pounding rice, her mother was nearby and being bothered by flies. The mother asked her daughter to shoo the flies away.Without thinking, the daughter attempted to kill the flies with her pestle but ended up striking her mother so hard that she died instantly. When the Bodhisatta heard about this tragic incident, he reflected on the situation and told those around him that “smart enemies are better than stupid friends.” This statement highlighted the danger and harm that can come from well-intentioned but foolish actions, as opposed to the calculated and potentially less harmful actions of a smart enemy.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This tale has a significant connection to the Buddha’s later life. While the Buddha was visiting a king’s treasurer, the treasurer shared with him an incident involving one of his slaves. The slave had accidentally killed her mother with a pestle while trying to shoo away flies that were bothering her.The Buddha, upon hearing this story, told the treasurer that this was not the first time such an incident had occurred. He shared the story of his past life as the royal treasurer to explain that the slave and her mother had done the exact same thing in earlier births. This narrative served to illustrate the recurring nature of karmic patterns and the importance of wisdom and careful action to avoid harm.

Moral

The Rohini Jataka teaches us about the importance of wisdom, careful action, and the potential dangers of foolishness. The story emphasizes that even with good intentions, lack of thought and foresight can lead to tragic consequences. The Bodhisatta’s comment about smart enemies being better than stupid friends underscores the value of prudence and intelligence in avoiding harm. This tale serves as a reminder to always consider the potential outcomes of our actions and to act with wisdom and caution.