The Wise Fish and the Deceptive Crane: A Lesson in Discernment

The Bodhisatta, in a previous life, was a wise and vigilant fish, the leader of a large school. One day, while swimming near the edge of a pond, the fish noticed a crane sitting peacefully on the shore, its wings outstretched. The crane’s calm and serene appearance made it seem like a pious bird, and the fish, impressed by its demeanor, initially believed it to be harmless.

However, the Bodhisatta, with his wisdom, saw through the crane’s facade. He knew that cranes were often deceptive and cunning, luring fish close in order to catch them. The Bodhisatta immediately cautioned the school of fish about the crane’s true nature, warning them that it was not to be trusted.

Understanding the Bodhisatta’s wisdom, the fish quickly splashed in the water, creating a disturbance that scared the crane away. The deceptive bird was forced to fly off, and the fish were safe once again.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

The crane in this Jataka was an earlier incarnation of one of the Buddha’s disciples who had been exposed as a hypocrite. This disciple had appeared pious and virtuous to others, but his true intentions were selfish and deceptive, much like the crane in the story. The Buddha, knowing the disciple’s past, recounted this Jataka to his followers, explaining that even those who appear righteous may not always be so, and that it was important to see beyond outward appearances.

The Buddha used this story to remind his disciples that hypocrisy, like the crane’s deceptive posture, could lead people astray. Just as the fish wisely recognized the crane’s true intentions, his followers were encouraged to see the truth beyond surface appearances and recognize the dangers of deceit.

Moral:

1. The Dangers of Deception: The crane represents those who appear virtuous but are in fact deceptive and selfish. The Bodhisatta, through his wisdom, teaches the fish (and by extension, the Buddha’s disciples) to be wary of outward appearances and to see beyond them to the true nature of things.
2. Wisdom and Caution: The Bodhisatta’s alertness to the crane’s true intentions saved the school of fish. Similarly, wisdom, caution, and the ability to discern the true nature of a person or situation can protect one from harm.
3. Hypocrisy: The story serves as a warning about the dangers of hypocrisy. Just as the crane appeared to be peaceful and pious but was really a predator, individuals who appear virtuous may have hidden motives. Recognizing and understanding this can help avoid being misled.
4. Recognizing the Truth: The fish, under the Bodhisatta’s guidance, learned to see the crane’s intentions clearly. This illustrates the importance of spiritual insight in distinguishing truth from falsehood and deception.

Lesson: The lesson of the Baka Jataka is that appearances can be deceiving, and one should always look beyond the surface. True wisdom helps us recognize the true nature of things, and it is important to be cautious of those who appear righteous but may have ulterior motives. Hypocrisy, like the crane’s deceit, can mislead others, but wisdom can protect us from such tricks.