The Salikedara Jataka: The Virtue of Filial Piety and Selfless Compassion

In the Salikedara Jataka, the Bodhisatta was once a parrot, who, after his father became too old to fly, took on the responsibility of feeding his parents and the rest of his flock. The Bodhisatta was not only a leader, but a devoted son who ensured his parents’ well-being, bringing them food daily. He lived in a forest where a wealthy brahmin cultivated rice on a large estate, employing a guard to protect his crops from the birds.

When the rice in the brahmin’s fields ripened, the parrots noticed and began to visit the fields regularly to feed on the grain. The Bodhisatta, as the leader, brought back rice each day for his parents. The guard, noticing the parrots’ repeated visits and fearing for his pay, went to the brahmin and told him that the leader parrot (the Bodhisatta) had been taking rice for his family. The brahmin, moved by the parrot’s apparent greed, ordered the guard to catch him.

The guard set a trap at the spot where the Bodhisatta regularly landed, and it succeeded in capturing the parrot. As the Bodhisatta was caught, he showed great care for the flock, waiting for them to eat before calling out to warn them of the trap. However, the other parrots fled without coming to his aid, and the Bodhisatta was taken to the brahmin’s home.

The brahmin, surprised to find the Bodhisatta alive and unharmed, questioned him about his behavior. The Bodhisatta explained that he was not selfish but was taking the rice to feed his parents and other needy birds. He humbly told the brahmin that his actions were driven by compassion and responsibility, not greed.

Impressed by the Bodhisatta’s selflessness and righteousness, the brahmin treated him with great respect, offering him a seat of honor, rubbing oil on his feet, and feeding him sweetened grains. He even offered the Bodhisatta the rice fields. The Bodhisatta accepted only eight acres as a feeding ground for his flock and encouraged the brahmin to continue his generosity, advising him to help others as he had helped the parrot.

The Bodhisatta then returned to his home, where his parents and the rest of the parrots rejoiced in his survival and noble actions.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the Buddha’s time, there was a disciple whose parents had reluctantly allowed him to join the Sangha. After five years of learning, he became a dedicated monk. However, after twelve years of striving for spiritual insight, he had still not achieved the breakthrough he sought. One day, another disciple visited him and shared tragic news: his parents had fallen into poverty and were now homeless beggars.

The son, devastated by this news, realized that he had spent all these years in pursuit of his own spiritual goals while his parents suffered without his help. He resolved to leave the Sangha and care for them. Before departing, he attended a sermon by the Buddha, who spoke about the virtue of honoring and caring for one’s parents. This helped the son realize that he could still follow the path of Dharma while also looking after his parents.

The son returned to his parents, settling near their home, and began making two daily alms rounds—one to provide for his parents, and the second for his own needs. Despite receiving very little for himself, he was happy to help them. However, some other disciples were displeased, believing that sharing alms with non-disciples was an offense, and they reported him to the Buddha.

When the son was summoned to the Buddha, he admitted to sharing his alms with his parents. But the Buddha, to the surprise of the other disciples, praised him for his filial piety and compassion. He then recounted this Jataka tale about the Bodhisatta, who had also selflessly provided for his parents, teaching that caring for one’s parents is always a virtuous act.

The brahmin in this past story was an earlier incarnation of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s closest disciples. The guard was a past birth of Channa, the Buddha’s charioteer. The Bodhisatta’s parents were earlier births of the Buddha’s father and birth mother, and the parrot flock symbolized the Buddha’s followers.

Moral Reflection:

The Salikedara Jataka offers a powerful lesson about filial duty, selflessness, and compassion. Just as the Bodhisatta cared for his elderly parents and other birds in need, the story highlights the importance of fulfilling our responsibilities to others, particularly our parents, whose sacrifices often go unacknowledged.

In the Buddha’s teachings, the theme of honoring parents is elevated as a virtue that leads to both spiritual growth and societal harmony. The Bodhisatta’s actions exemplify how true righteousness is demonstrated through caring for others without expecting anything in return. The brahmin’s response shows that even animals, when acting from compassion, can teach profound lessons about human morality.

Similarly, the Buddha’s compassion for his disciples—who had sought spiritual fulfillment at the expense of their families—shows that the spiritual path does not have to come at the cost of family care or responsibility. The Buddha’s recognition of the disciple’s actions reinforces the importance of balance between spiritual growth and practical compassion.

Final Takeaway:

This Jataka teaches us that true compassion transcends the boundaries of species, and acts of generosity and filial piety bring immense spiritual rewards. We should all strive to care for those who depend on us, and in doing so, we create a life of righteousness that is beneficial to both ourselves and others. The Bodhisatta’s care for his parents, and the Buddha’s later teachings, emphasize that true virtue lies not just in meditative insight, but in how we live and care for those around us.