The Tale of the Sea Spirit and the Devout Man

Once, the Bodhisatta was a spirit of the sea. A devout man, traveling by ship with his companion, a barber, found himself facing a great trial. The devout man had promised the barber’s wife that he would look after her husband on their journey. The two were on a ship, sailing the ocean, when disaster struck: the ship was wrecked, and the two men were cast adrift. They clung to a piece of plank and floated to a deserted island.

While stranded on the island, the barber, trying to survive, killed some birds, cooked them, and offered them to his companion. However, the devout man refused the food, focusing instead on his religious practice. He meditated on the blessings of the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, believing that only through their blessings could they be saved.

Unbeknownst to the men, a Naga king, who had been born on the island, had been watching them. Moved by the devout man’s unwavering faith, the Naga king transformed his body into a magnificent ship. The ship was crafted with golden planks, silver ropes, and sapphire masts. The Bodhisatta, acting as the pilot, came to offer the devout man a ride. However, he told him that his companion, the barber, could not come because he was not a follower of the Three Jewels.

But the devout man, not willing to leave his companion behind, decided to share the merit of his practice with the barber. He offered all the merit he had accumulated from his generosity, virtue, and mental discipline to the barber. Moved by this selflessness, the Bodhisatta agreed to take both men aboard the magical ship.

The Naga king piloted the ship, and the three of them continued on their journey. Upon reaching the shore, the Bodhisatta gave the two men valuable bundles and told them the lesson of their shipwreck: Always keep company with wise and good people, for their virtues can guide you even through the greatest of trials.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

In the time of the Buddha, there was a devout lay follower who was on his way to visit the Buddha. As he approached the riverbank, he saw that all the ferry pilots were away. So absorbed was he in his thoughts of the Buddha that, not noticing the absence of a boat, he simply began to walk into the river. Miraculously, his feet did not sink beneath the water, and he walked halfway across before he realized what he had done. When he became distracted from his thoughts of the Buddha, he began to sink into the river, but by refocusing on the Buddha’s virtues, he found himself able to safely reach the other side.

When he arrived at the Buddha’s monastery, the man explained his experience. The Buddha, upon hearing his story, told him this tale from the past to show that even in earlier lifetimes, people who thought of the Buddha’s virtues were protected and guided through their challenges.

Moral of the Story

This story emphasizes the importance of keeping good company, both in this life and in the spiritual journey. The devout man’s commitment to his companion and his focus on the Three Jewels helped him to be protected and guided through his hardship. Similarly, the lay follower’s thoughts of the Buddha, even in a moment of physical danger, kept him safe.

The Buddha also used this story to show how focus on the noble virtues—whether of the Buddha, Dharma, or Sangha—can lead to safety and spiritual progress, guiding one through life’s storms.

Moral Lesson

The company we keep and the virtues we focus on can have a powerful influence on our well-being, leading us toward salvation even in the face of great challenges.