The Vattaka Jataka: The Quail’s Act of Truth

In a dense and vibrant forest, the Bodhisatta was once a quail, newly hatched and still too young to walk or fly. One day, a fierce forest fire swept towards his nest, driven by strong winds and fueled by the dry underbrush. As the flames approached, all the other animals, including the quail’s parents, fled in terror.Trapped and helpless, the young Bodhisatta quail found himself alone and vulnerable. However, instead of succumbing to fear, he drew upon his innate virtue and performed an act of truth. This solemn declaration, rooted in his supreme virtue, was a powerful invocation that requested a miraculous result.With unwavering faith and determination, the Bodhisatta quail declared his truth, and miraculously, the flames halted their advance, never getting closer than sixteen lengths from his nest. This extraordinary event saved not only the quail’s life but also created a sacred and protected space within the forest.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This tale has a profound connection to the Buddha’s later life. One day, while the Buddha was on his morning alms round in the very same forest where he had lived as the quail, a forest fire broke out. Some of the new disciples, in an attempt to create a safe zone, started a counter-fire to burn a section of the ground. However, the experienced disciples, knowing the Buddha’s powers, advised them to stop and instead seek safety by gathering around the Buddha.The disciples followed this advice and walked to a specific spot in the forest where the Buddha was standing. As the roaring flames approached, they miraculously halted at a distance of sixteen lengths from the group, just as they had in the Bodhisatta’s past life.After the fire was extinguished, the Buddha shared this story with his disciples to explain that the protection they had just experienced was not due to his current powers as the Buddha, but rather a result of the act of truth he had performed at that very spot in his past life as the quail. He revealed that the power of that act of truth was so strong that no flames would burn that spot for an entire eon.The quail’s parents, who had fled the fire, were revealed to be earlier births of the Buddha’s father and mother.

Moral

The Vattaka Jataka teaches us the immense power of truth, virtue, and determination. The story highlights that even in the most desperate and helpless situations, an act of truth rooted in supreme virtue can lead to miraculous outcomes. This tale also underscores the enduring nature of good deeds and the protective power they can offer, even across different lifetimes. The Buddha’s sharing of this story serves as a reminder of the importance of cultivating virtue and the potential for such actions to have far-reaching and beneficial consequences.