Samkhapala Jataka: The Cycle of Rebirth and Virtue

The Samkhapala Jataka (Jataka #524) is a tale about the cycle of rebirth, the practice of virtue, and the rewards of a life well-lived. It involves the Bodhisatta’s journey through two different realms—first as a human king and then as a naga king—and his eventual realization of the impermanence of material wealth and grandeur. The story emphasizes the value of generosity, righteousness, and spiritual discipline, while also highlighting the impact of these practices on both this life and future lives.

The Plot

The Bodhisatta as a Human King

In this story, the Bodhisatta is first born as a human king. His father, the previous king, had abdicated the throne and moved to live as an ascetic in the royal park, choosing a life of spiritual practice over the luxuries of kingship. The Bodhisatta visited his father three times a day, but was unable to focus on his own mystic meditation due to the distractions of royal life. After some time, the king’s father, unable to achieve the inner peace he desired, moved far away in secret to live in a leaf hut in a remote forest, where he could meditate and eventually master his spiritual practices.

The Bodhisatta’s Desire for the Naga Realm

Years later, the Bodhisatta set out to find his father. When he eventually located him, he discovered that his father was not only living in solitude but had also become a teacher of dharma to a naga king and his subjects. The Bodhisatta was deeply impressed by the naga kingdom’s magnificence and, witnessing their grandeur, he became desirous of being reborn in the naga realm in his next life. The nagas’ strength, beauty, and power fascinated him, and he longed to experience that realm’s richness.

After spending some time with his father, the Bodhisatta returned to his human kingdom, where he lived a righteous life, carefully observing the holy days and generously supporting others. He built alms halls at the four city gates and became famous throughout India for his charity and generosity. Because of his virtuous actions, his wish was granted: he was reborn as a naga king.

The Naga Realm and Desire for Rebirth as a Human

After living in the naga realm for a while, the Bodhisatta grew weary of the nagas’ wealth and glory. He began to crave a human existence once again, realizing that the external magnificence of the naga realm could not bring lasting satisfaction. However, when he tried to live a virtuous life in the naga realm and observe the holy days, he found himself increasingly distracted by the indulgences and temptations of his surroundings. Despite his noble intentions, he struggled to maintain the discipline required to fulfill his spiritual goals in the naga world.

To regain focus and discipline, the Bodhisatta sought out a solitary place in the human realm, atop an anthill, where he could remain free of distractions. There, he could meditate and reflect in peace. It was during one such session that he was spotted by hunters from a nearby village.

The Bodhisatta’s Encounter with the Hunters

The hunters, upon seeing the magnificent naga king, decided to capture him. Despite being seized, pulled by the tail, pierced with stakes, and treated with great cruelty, the Bodhisatta remained unperturbed. He did not resist or feel anger at their actions, maintaining his inner peace and righteousness. The hunters tied him up and began dragging him off, but just as they were about to do more harm, a wealthy landowner appeared.

The landowner, seeing the Bodhisatta’s plight, paid the hunters with gold coins, an ox, and fine clothes to free the Bodhisatta. In gratitude, the Bodhisatta invited the landowner to the naga realm, offering him a life in his heavenly palace, where he would be served by three hundred naga maidens. The landowner stayed in the naga realm for a year before choosing to return to the Himalayas and live as an ascetic.

The Ascetic’s Pilgrimage and the King’s Transformation

On a subsequent pilgrimage to the human realm, the ascetic stayed in the royal park, where the king saw him during his morning alms round. The king, moved by the ascetic’s demeanor and teachings, served him a variety of sumptuous foods at the palace. Afterward, the ascetic shared the story of how he had once saved the Bodhisatta’s life and how that act had led him to renounce worldly pleasures and become an ascetic.

The ascetic also preached to the king about the impermanence of all things and the importance of living a righteous life. The king was so moved by the ascetic’s words that he decided to live a more generous and virtuous life, just as the Bodhisatta had done. At the end of the rainy season, the ascetic returned to his home in the Himalayas, and the king continued his journey of righteousness.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the Buddha’s time, the Bodhisatta’s father, the king, and the landowner were identified as earlier births of the Buddha’s disciples Maha Kassapa, Ananda, and Sariputta, respectively. The Buddha used this story to show his lay followers the benefits of observing the holy days and living a righteous life, illustrating that such practices bring great spiritual rewards, both in this life and future lives.

Conclusion

The Samkhapala Jataka conveys several key teachings that align with the Buddha’s principles of righteous living and spiritual practice. The story emphasizes the importance of generosity, moral discipline, and spiritual development across lifetimes. It illustrates that living in alignment with the holy laws—whether through acts of kindness, charity, or meditation—can lead to rewards not only in this life but also in future rebirths. Moreover, it demonstrates the impermanence of all worldly pleasures and the value of seeking spiritual fulfillment over temporary material gain.

The Bodhisatta’s transformation from a human king to a naga king and back to a human shows the cycle of desires and how even the most powerful and glorious realms cannot offer lasting satisfaction. Ultimately, the story urges practitioners to maintain discipline, avoid attachment, and always strive for moral excellence, knowing that such a path leads to both spiritual freedom and enlightenment.