The Wise Fish: A Lesson on Foresight and Laziness

In a past life, the Bodhisatta was born as a wise fish. He lived with two companions in the wilderness, where the waters were clean and peaceful. One day, the fish swam downstream, venturing toward a place where humans lived. The Bodhisatta, being cautious and wise, knew that it was dangerous for fish like them to be near humans. He urged his companions to turn back before they got caught in nets or traps. However, the other two fish were lazy and preferred to linger in the area, enjoying the novelty of their surroundings.

The Bodhisatta’s fears soon came true. After three months, the two lazy fish were indeed trapped in a fisherman’s net. The Bodhisatta, who had stayed out of sight, quickly devised a plan to save them. He splashed the water near the net, then swam to the other side and splashed again, creating the illusion that the two fish had escaped and swum away. The fishermen, believing the net was now empty, lifted one corner of the net to inspect it. At that moment, the two trapped fish swam free and escaped to safety.

The Buddha’s Teaching

In the time of the Buddha, two elderly disciples had spent the rainy season meditating in a forest. When the rainy season came to an end, they prepared to return to the monastery, but they kept delaying their departure, staying for months longer than necessary. When they finally arrived at the monastery, they admitted their laziness in not leaving sooner.

The Buddha, hearing about their procrastination, shared this Jataka story with his disciples, explaining that the two lazy fish were earlier births of these very disciples. Just as they had delayed their departure from the forest in the past, they had once been lazy fish who procrastinated, only to face danger as a result.

The Bodhisatta’s intervention in the story symbolized the role of wisdom and foresight in helping others avoid danger. Through this tale, the Buddha taught that laziness and procrastination could hinder spiritual progress, and that it was essential to act with discernment and diligence. By relating the past actions of his disciples, the Buddha encouraged them to recognize and overcome the tendencies of laziness that had affected them across lifetimes.

This story emphasizes the importance of being proactive and the consequences of ignoring wisdom and delay. The Bodhisatta’s quick thinking saved his companions, just as timely action can lead to positive outcomes in our own lives.