Tag Archives: The Bodhisatta And The Poisonous Mango Tree

210. The Bodhisatta And The Poisonous Mango Tree

Once on a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born a merchant. When he grew up, and was trading with five hundred wagons and one day he came to where the road led through a great forest. Halting at the outskirts, he mustered the caravan and addressed them thus:- “Poison trees grow in this forest. Be Careful. Do not taste unfamiliar leaf, flower, or fruit without first consulting me.” All promised to take every care; and journey into the forest began. Now just within the forest border stands a village, and just outside that village grows a what fruit tree. The what fruit tree exactly resembles a mango tree. And not only in outward semblance, but also in taste and smell, the fruit ripe or unripe imitates the mango. If eaten, it is a deadly poison, and causes instant death.