Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was King of Benares there was in the kingdom of kasi a village named Dhammapala, and it took that name because the family of one Dhammapala lived there. From his keeping the Ten Paths of Virtue this Brahmin was know where he dwelt as Dhammpala, or the Lawkeeper. He gave alms, and observed virtue, and kept the holy day.

At that time the Bodhisatta came to life in that household, and to him they gave the name of Dhammapala-Kumara, or Lawkeeper the Younger. So soon as he came of age, his father gave him a thousand pieces, and sent him to study at Takkasila. There he went, and studied with a world famed teacher, and became the chief pupil in a company of five hundred youths.

Just then died the eldest son of the teacher; and the teacher, surrounded by his pupil, in the midst of his kith and kin weeping did the lad’s obsequies in the cemetery. Then the teacher with his company of kinsfolk, and all his pupils, were weeping and wailing, but Dhammapala only neither wept nor wailed. Afterwards the pupils had returned from the cemetery, they sat down in their teacher’s presence, and said “Ah, so fine a lad so good a tender child, to be cut off in his tender age and parted from father and mother!” Dhammapala replied “Tender indeed, as you say! Well, why did he die at a tender age? It is not right that children of tender age should die.

“Then they said to him, “Why, Sir, do you not know that such persons are but mortal?”

“I know it; but in tender years they die not; people die when they are grown old.”

“Then are not all component things transitory and unreal?”

“Transitory they are, it is true; but in the days of youth creatures do not die; it is only when they are grown old that they die.”

“Oh, is that the custom of your family?”

“Yes, that is the custom in my family?”

The lads told this conversation to their teacher. He sent for Dhammapala, and asked him “Is it true Dhammapala, that in your family they do not die young?”

Dhammapala said, “Yes, teacher; it is true.”

On hearing this, the teacher thought, “This is a most marvelous thing. I will go to his father, and ask him about it; and if it be true, I will live according to his rule of right.”

So after the ceremonies are over, he sent for Dhammapala and said, “My son! I am going away from home; while I am away, you are to instruct these my pupils.” He procured the bones of a wild goat, washed them and scented them and put them in a bag; then taking with him a little page-boy he left Takkasila, and in course of time arrived at that village. There he enquired his way to Maha-dhammapala’s house, and stopped at the door.

The first servant of the Brahmin who saw him whoever it was took the sunshade from his hand and took his shoes, and took the bag from the servant. He bade them tell the lad’s father, here was the teacher of his son Dhammapala the Younger, standing at the door. “Good, “said the servants and summoned the father to him. Quickly he came to the threshold. He said, “Come in.” Leading the way into his house, seating the visitor upon a couch, he did a host’s duty by washing his feet, and so forth.

When the teacher had eaten food, and they sat down for a kindly talk together, the teacher said, “Brahmin! your son young Dhammpala was full of wisdom, and a perfect master of the Three Vedas and the Eighteen Accomplishments; by an unhappy chance has lost his life. All component things are transitory; grieve not for him!” The Brahmin clapped his hands, and laughed loudly and said, “My son is not dead; it must be some other.” The teacher said, “Look. These are the bones of your son.” But the Brahmin said, “These are wild goat’s bones. In our family for seven generation no such thing has been as a death in tender years; and you are speaking falsehood.”

The teacher, when he beheld this wonderful thing, was much pleased, and said, “Brahmin, this custom in your family line cannot be without cause, that the young do not die. Why is it then that you do not die young?”

Then the brahmin, to explain what virtues had the result that in his family no one died young replied:

“We walk in uprightness, we speak no lies,

All foul and wicked sins we keep after,

We do eschew all thing that evil are,

Therefore in youth not one among us dies.

We hear the deeds of foolish and of wise;

Of what the foolish do no heed we take

The wise we follow and the fools forsake;

Therefore in youth no one among us dies.

In gifts deforehand our contentment lies;

Even while giving we are well content;

Nor having given do we then repent:

Therefore in youth not one among us dies.

Priests, Brahmins, and way farers we satisfy,

Beggars, and mendicants, and all who need,

We give them drink, and hungry folk we feed

Therefore the young among us do not die.

Wedded for other’s wives we do not sigh,

But we are faithful to the marriage vow;

And faithful are our wives to us, I trow;

Therefore the young among us do not die

The children that from these true wives are sprung

Are wise abundantly to learning bred,

Versed in the Vedas and all perfected

Therefore none dies of us while he is young

Each to do right for sake of heaven tries;

So lives the father, and so lives the mother,

So son and daughter sister so and brother;

Therefore no one of us when youthful dies.

For sake of heaven our servants too apply

Their lives to goodness men and maidens all.

Retainers, servitor’s each meanest thrall:

Therefore the young among us do not die.

And lastly he declared the goodness of those who walk in righteousness;”

“Righteousness saves him that thereto is bent;

Righteousness practiced well brings happiness;

Them that do righteously this boon doth bless

The righteous comes not into punishment

Righteousness saves the righteous, as a shade

Saves in the time of rain: the lad will lives

Goodness to Dhammapala safety gives;

Some other’s bones are these you have conveyed.”

On hearing this, the teacher begged pardon of Dhammapala’s father and added, “I came here, and brought with me these wild goat’s bones, on purpose to try you. Your son is safe and well. I pray you impart to me your rule of preserving life.” Then the other wrote it upon a leaf; and after returning to Takkasilla instructed Dhammapala in all branches of skill and learning and he dismissed him with a great troop of followers.