The Quarrel of the Banyan Trees

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was an ascetic living in the Himalayas with five hundred followers. They lived a life of simplicity and study, far from the distractions of city life. One year, they descended to a city to gather salt and seasoning, setting up camp under a banyan tree near the north gate of the city. After some time, another group of ascetics arrived, setting up camp under a banyan tree at the south gate.

For a while, both groups lived peacefully, but when they returned the following year, the dynamics had changed. The other group arrived first and discovered that the tree by the south gate had died. They decided to settle under the northern tree, where the Bodhisatta’s group had camped the year before.

The Bodhisatta, upon his arrival, found the other ascetics already there. Believing the northern banyan tree to be his group’s rightful place, he demanded that the other ascetics leave. A quarrel ensued between the two groups, and when neither could resolve the matter, they took their dispute to the king.

The king listened to both sides and, after hearing the arguments, decided that the space should go to the group that arrived first. The Bodhisatta’s group, determined not to lose, offered the king a bribe—a splendid chariot, hoping it would sway his decision. The king accepted the bribe, but then the other group of ascetics offered the king jeweled wheels from the chariot. This prompted the king to change his mind once again, instructing the Bodhisatta’s group to leave and giving the space to the other group.

This back-and-forth continued until both groups grew ashamed of their behavior. Realizing their immoral actions, they decided to return to the wilderness. But the spirits who inhabited the kingdom were angered by the king’s corruption and his acceptance of bribes. In their fury, they called upon the sea, which flooded the kingdom. The wicked king and all of the kingdom’s citizens perished in the flood, a consequence of the dishonesty and greed that had tainted their actions.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

In the time of the Buddha, the leaders of rival religious sects grew envious of the Buddha’s growing popularity and the success of his teachings. Their followers were flocking to the Buddha’s monastery, and the rival teachers feared for their own decline. After a secret meeting, they decided to build a competing settlement next to the Buddha’s monastery, hoping it would draw followers away.

Knowing that their plan would likely face opposition from the Buddha, they offered a bribe of one hundred thousand coins to the king, instructing him to ignore any complaints the Buddha might make about the new construction.

The Buddha, aware of the situation, sent his disciples to speak with the king, explaining that the new settlement was disruptive and inappropriate so close to the Buddha’s monastery. However, the king, having already accepted the bribe, ignored the Buddha’s request, telling his servants to inform the Buddha that he was unavailable.

On the third day, the Buddha himself visited the palace. The king, unable to refuse the Buddha’s presence, offered him alms. The Buddha then told the king the story of the two groups of ascetics and their quarrel over the banyan trees, using it as a lesson on the dangers of bribery and the harm it causes to both the giver and the receiver. The Buddha warned the king that such corruption would lead to conflict and ruin, as it had in the past.

Realizing the error of his ways, the king repented. He ordered the destruction of the rival settlement and put an end to the bribes, restoring peace and fairness.

Moral:

This story conveys several important lessons:

1. The Dangers of Greed and Corruption: The two bands of ascetics, driven by greed and the desire to win at any cost, resorted to bribery to settle their dispute. Their actions caused conflict and shame. The story shows that greed often leads to corruption and conflict, and ultimately, to destruction.
2. The Consequences of Bribery: Both the Bodhisatta’s and the other ascetics’ reliance on bribery to influence the king led to moral degradation. In the end, the spirits of the kingdom, enraged by the king’s acceptance of bribes, caused a disastrous flood. This teaches that bribery not only harms the individuals involved but also affects the wider community, often with catastrophic results.
3. The Immorality of Creating Conflict for Personal Gain: The ascetics’ quarreling over the banyan tree, and their willingness to create conflict to secure their position, shows how selfishness and immorality can disrupt peace and harmony. Their shame and eventual retreat demonstrate the importance of resolving conflicts justly and with integrity.
4. Wisdom and Fairness in Leadership: The Buddha’s wisdom and refusal to engage in corruption serve as a model for just leadership. The king’s initial acceptance of the bribe led to a breakdown in moral order, but after listening to the Buddha’s teachings, he corrected his actions. The story emphasizes the importance of wise, fair, and ethical leadership in maintaining peace and order in society.
5. The Dangers of Envy and Rivalry: The rival religious teachers’ envy of the Buddha’s success led them to scheme and use underhanded tactics to undermine him. The story teaches that envy can cloud judgment and lead to unethical actions, but wisdom and integrity always prevail in the end.

In the end, the story serves as a reminder of the destructive nature of greed, bribery, and immorality, and the importance of maintaining fairness, integrity, and wisdom in both personal conduct and leadership.