The Wise Ox: A Tale of Contentment and Virtue

In a small village, a family owned two oxen, one of whom was the Bodhisatta, a being with a deep understanding and wisdom that would one day manifest as the Buddha. The Bodhisatta lived alongside his younger brother, both of whom were integral to the family’s daily life, working tirelessly in the fields.One day, the family’s daughter became engaged, and in preparation for the wedding, they decided to fatten up their pig to serve as the main dish. The young ox, observing the pig being fed luxurious rice, couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. Why, he wondered, did the pig, who did no work, get to eat such fine food, while he and his brother, who toiled day and night, were given only grass and straw?The Bodhisatta, sensing his brother’s discontent, shared a wise and comforting truth. “Do not envy the pig,” he said. “Rice is the food of death. Soon, the pig will be slaughtered and turned into curry, a fate that awaits those who are fed such luxuries. Our humble food of grass and straw is a sign of our long and healthy lives.”As the days passed, the Bodhisatta’s words proved true. The pig was indeed slaughtered and cooked for the wedding feast, while the two oxen continued to live and work, their simple diet a testament to their enduring health.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha

This tale has a profound connection to the Buddha’s later life. The daughter who was getting married in this story was an earlier incarnation of a plump and alluring young woman who lived during the Buddha’s time. She had no suitors due to her lascivious nature, and her mother sought to entice one of the Buddha’s disciples into marrying her.The mother identified a disciple who seemed vulnerable to temptation, particularly when it came to good food and personal appearance. She invited him into their home, feeding him lavishly and eventually introducing him to her daughter. The daughter, using her charms, successfully seduced the disciple, causing him to consider leaving the monastic life.When the Buddha learned of this, he shared the story of the wise ox and the pig to remind the disciple of the dangers of craving and the importance of contentment. The young ox in the story was revealed to be an earlier birth of Ananda, one of the Buddha’s most devoted and wise disciples.

Moral

The tale of the wise ox teaches us the value of contentment and the dangers of envy. It reminds us that true happiness and longevity often come from living a simple and virtuous life, rather than coveting the fleeting pleasures that may ultimately lead to harm. The Bodhisatta’s wisdom in this story underscores the importance of appreciating what we have and finding joy in our own circumstances, rather than desiring what others may possess.