The Bodhisatta’s Modesty: A Lesson in Humility and Consideration

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was an ascetic living alone in the Himalayas. One day, he descended to a city to gather salt and vinegar, and spent the night in the royal park. The next morning, the king noticed the Bodhisatta collecting alms with dignity and calm. Impressed by his demeanor, the king invited him to the palace for a grand meal. After their conversation, the king offered the Bodhisatta a place to stay in the park, assuring him that all his needs would be met during his stay.

As the rainy season came to an end, the Bodhisatta wished to return to the Himalayas. However, he realized he would need a parasol to protect him from the sun and a pair of shoes for the journey. Hesitant to ask the king for such modest items, he felt guilty, concerned that the king might feel uncomfortable or burdened by the request. So, he decided to ask for a private audience with the king.

The king, sensing the Bodhisatta’s modesty, dismissed his servants to allow for a private conversation. However, even in that moment, the Bodhisatta could not bring himself to make the request. He feared asking for even the smallest things, thinking it might strain their friendship. Instead, he assured the king that he would take care of his needs himself.

Months passed, and then twelve years later, the king, reflecting on the Bodhisatta’s hesitations, began to think that perhaps the Bodhisatta had grown tired of his religious life and wished to return to worldly pleasures. The king assumed that the Bodhisatta wanted to be a king and live a life of comfort. So, he went to see him and offered him anything he desired, even the entire kingdom.

To the king’s surprise, the Bodhisatta replied, “All I desire is a pair of single-soled shoes and a simple parasol made of leaves.” The king was astonished by the Bodhisatta’s extreme consideration for others. He had expected grand requests but was moved by the Bodhisatta’s modesty and thoughtfulness. Overwhelmed, the king begged the Bodhisatta to stay with him, but the Bodhisatta, with his new shoes and parasol, returned to his peaceful life in the Himalayas.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha
In the Buddha’s time, some of the Buddha’s disciples had become so demanding in their requests for new quarters that they began to annoy the townspeople. Whenever these disciples came to the village, the people would avoid them, leaving them without alms. One day, Maha Kassapa, one of the Buddha’s chief disciples, was affected by this and went to the Buddha to discuss the matter.

The Buddha gathered the disciples and criticized their thoughtlessness. He shared the story of the Bodhisatta in his past life to teach them the value of consideration and modesty. The Buddha explained that in the past, he had been so considerate of others that he would not ask even for small, simple things if it might cause inconvenience or discomfort.

The Buddha also revealed that the king in the story had been an earlier birth of Ananda, another of the Buddha’s chief disciples. Ananda, like the king, was known for his deep compassion and thoughtfulness, traits that helped him become one of the Buddha’s closest and most beloved followers.

Moral of the Story
The Brahmadatta Jataka teaches the importance of consideration, humility, and thoughtfulness in our interactions with others. Just as the Bodhisatta refused to make a simple request out of respect for the king’s feelings, we are reminded to be mindful of how our actions and requests might affect others. This story also illustrates the power of modesty, showing that true contentment comes not from great possessions but from a life lived with kindness, humility, and respect for others.

The story further reinforces the value of compassion and selflessness, virtues that the Bodhisatta embodied throughout his many lives, and which his disciples, like Ananda, would later strive to cultivate.