The Wise Advisor and the Wicked King
In a time long ago, the Bodhisatta was born as a wise king’s advisor. The king he served, however, was far from virtuous. He was a wicked ruler who amassed great wealth by oppressing his people and ruling with cruelty. The Bodhisatta, seeing the king’s flaws, patiently waited for the right moment to teach him a valuable lesson on the principles of righteous rule.
One day, a new bedchamber was being constructed for the king. The workers were busy building the roof, and the king, observing the progress, grew fearful. He noticed that the large ridge of the roof was supported by several small rafters. Convinced that the rafters were too weak and the roof would collapse on him, the king refused to enter the room, consumed by his fear.
This moment provided the Bodhisatta with the perfect opportunity to teach the king. He calmly approached and said, “Your Majesty, do not be afraid. The strength of the roof lies in the cooperation of the rafters. Though each rafter is small, together they support the ridge. Similarly, a wise man, supported by loyal and faithful friends, can never fall from grace. It is the harmony of support and wisdom that provides strength.”
The king listened intently as the Bodhisatta continued. Just then, someone brought the king a citron, and the king handed it to the Bodhisatta to eat. The Bodhisatta, holding the fruit, explained, “Your Majesty, this citron, though it may appear unpleasant at first, holds sweetness within. Its bitterness lies in the peel, but when removed, it reveals a delicious taste. Likewise, a wise ruler collects taxes without force or cruelty. When done with care and respect, taxes can be a source of wealth and goodwill, rather than resentment and hatred.”
Finally, they walked together to a nearby lotus pond. The king pointed out a tall, beautiful lotus flower rising above the water, untouched by the mud beneath. The Bodhisatta took this as another opportunity for a lesson, saying, “Your Majesty, just as the lotus remains pure above the water, a king should remain untainted by corruption. A ruler must remain virtuous and just, no matter the temptations or challenges that surround him.”
The king, deeply moved by the Bodhisatta’s wisdom, began to understand the lessons that had been taught. He realized that ruling with fairness, compassion, and purity was the true path to greatness. From that moment on, he reformed his ways and ruled his kingdom with justice, generosity, and righteousness for the remainder of his reign.
The Moral:
True strength lies not in cruelty or oppression, but in wisdom, cooperation, and virtue. A wise ruler builds his authority on fairness, supported by loyal friends and guided by moral integrity. Just as a bitter fruit can be made sweet by removing its peel, so too can a ruler’s actions bring prosperity without causing harm if they are guided by wisdom and compassion. A ruler must also remain pure in heart, like the lotus rising above the mud, untouched by greed or corruption.
In the Lifetime of the Buddha:
In the time of the Buddha, a king came to hear the Buddha’s teachings. The Buddha, seeing the king’s concerns, advised him to rule justly and reminded him that sensual pleasures lead to misery, while virtuous actions are the only true refuge when death comes. To emphasize his point, the Buddha shared this story of a past king who had been saved by following the path of righteousness.
The king from the story was an earlier incarnation of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s most esteemed disciples. Through this story, the Buddha illustrated that even in past lifetimes, great individuals like Ananda had learned the importance of ruling with wisdom and compassion. The Buddha’s message was clear: true leadership stems from virtue, not power, and it is the righteous path that leads to lasting peace and prosperity.