The Sankha Jataka: Generosity and Divine Reward

In the Sankha Jataka, the Bodhisatta was once a wealthy merchant known for his extraordinary generosity, giving away six hundred thousand coins daily in alms. However, he grew concerned that his wealth might dwindle and decided to embark on a trading journey to a distant land to secure more wealth. Before leaving, he entrusted his wife and child to continue giving alms in his absence.

The Bodhisatta’s Encounter with a Private Buddha

As the Bodhisatta prepared for his voyage, a private Buddha (a being who reaches enlightenment independently and does not teach others) divined that the ship would sink. Sensing the danger, the private Buddha flew from his home in the Himalayas and made his way toward the Bodhisatta. As the Bodhisatta saw him approach, the private Buddha walked through hot sand, ensuring the Bodhisatta noticed him. The Bodhisatta, ever generous, offered the Buddha his shoes and parasol, despite the Buddha not asking for them. After his work was done, the private Buddha flew back home.

The Shipwreck and Divine Intervention

On the seventh day of the journey, the Bodhisatta’s ship began to sink. Many passengers perished, but the Bodhisatta and a servant he picked at random survived. The two covered themselves with oil, ate powdered sugar and ghee to sustain themselves, and jumped into the ocean to swim toward land.

At that moment, the goddess who was tasked with saving virtuous people from shipwrecks noticed their plight. Despite having previously neglected her duties, she acted swiftly, flying over the sea to help the Bodhisatta. She offered him a golden plate of divine meats, but the Bodhisatta, ever righteous, refused it because it was a holy day.

The goddess then revealed that she was there to rescue him because of his earlier act of kindness in offering his shoes to the private Buddha. As a reward, she provided him with a ship of divine craftsmanship, built of treasures—golden oars, silver sails, and sapphire masts—and led him safely home.

The Bodhisatta’s Continued Righteousness

Upon returning home, the Bodhisatta lived out his days in righteousness, continuing to give alms generously and without end. His acts of kindness were not only rewarded in this life but also set the foundation for a virtuous existence, leading him to further spiritual growth.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha: The Buddha’s Own Story

In the lifetime of the Buddha, a lay follower invited the Buddha to his home for seven days of alms. On the final day, the man gave the Buddha and his five hundred disciples a special gift of shoes. The Buddha, remembering his past life as the Bodhisatta in the Sankha Jataka, thanked the man and shared this story with his disciples. The Buddha explained that, just as he had once offered shoes to a private Buddha, his act of generosity had led to divine intervention and blessings in that life.

The Rebirths of Key Figures

The goddess who helped the Bodhisatta and the servant he chose were reborn as two of the Buddha’s chief disciples:

• The goddess was reborn as Uppalavanna.
• The servant was reborn as Ananda.

Both were revered for their wisdom and dedication, reflecting the qualities they demonstrated in their previous lives.

Moral of the Story:

The Sankha Jataka underscores the importance of generosity, kindness, and righteousness. Even simple acts of goodness, such as offering shoes to a holy being, can lead to profound spiritual rewards. The story highlights how selfless acts can attract divine help and lead to the ultimate reward of peace and prosperity, both in this life and the next.